Understand Your Rights in New Mexico: Spinal Cord Injury After Auto Accident
One of the most common types of personal injuries from a high-speed, trucking accident, or other powerful auto accident is a spinal cord injury. A spinal cord injury after auto accident in New Mexico can result in debilitating and permanent injuries. This can affect a person for his or her whole life. Victims need to know they can recover compensation in these types of auto accidents or trucking accidents. Spinal cord injuries, or SCIs, are more common than most people think too. According to government statistics, there are almost 18,000 new SCI cases each year and about 39% of those cases are from vehicle accidents. This is a staggering figure.
The only thing more staggering is the amount of money it costs victims and their families. According to the same research, the first year of injury can cost between $375k and almost $1.2 million, depending on the type of SCI and the location. This is why our experienced New Mexico auto accident lawyers focus on only vehicle crashes, particularly auto accidents causing serious personal injuries. We know how devastating it can be for a victim and a family, especially in SCI cases. Learn how we can help you or a loved one in a spinal cord injury after auto accident case in New Mexico.
Two General Types of Spinal Cord Injuries After Auto Accident
Generally, there are two types of SCI. The first is a complete SCI, sometimes known as a total SCI. This is when the damage to the spinal cord is significant enough that it completely severs the connection between the brain and anything below the damage. This type of injury is often permanent, as there is very little treatment that can repair or fix this injury. The only possible treatments are usually experimental or very new, and not guaranteed to restore any functions or movement.
The second type is an incomplete SCI, sometimes known as a partial SCI. This is when the damage to the spinal cord is significant enough that is partially severs the connection between the brain and anything below the damage. This causes weaker signals which means muscles may be weaker and some sensation may be blocked or prevented. Partial SCI also cannot be repaired in most instances, although there is a growing class of stem cell treatments that are still experimental but may work. Again, there is never a guarantee to restoration. Incomplete SCI are graded on a scale.
Grading System for SCI
The American Spinal Injury Association, known as ASIA, as a grading scale for SCI. This means a spinal cord injury after auto accident in New Mexico would be classified on a scale to determine the severity of the injury. This scale also sets the treatment and necessary care that a patient would need, including care to help with mobility and assistance.
The scale provides the following:
A – complete SCI with no sensation or function below level of injury
B – incomplete SCI, with sensory function below injury but no motor function
C – incomplete SCI, with motor vehicle below injury level but more than half of the “key muscles” are not strong enough to move against gravity (the standard)
D – incomplete SCI, motor function below injury is present and more than half of the key muscles are strong enough to move against gravity
E – normal
Were You Injured in a New Mexico Auto Accident Causing a SCI? We Can Help
Any type of SCI is a very serious type of injury that must be properly evaluated by a trained and very experienced healthcare provider. We all know that. Which is exactly why any spinal cord injury after auto accident case in New Mexico should also be handled by a trained and experienced auto accident lawyer, such as one of our lawyers at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. We handle personal injury cases where individuals have been catastrophically injured in a vehicle crash. Learn how we can help you today during a FREE consultation with one of our lawyers by dialing (505) 273-2978 for a FREE consultation.
We handle causes throughout New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Roswell, Cuervo, Rio Rancho, Clovis, Farmington, Hobbs, Albuquerque where our office is located, and anywhere else throughout New Mexico. Please call to schedule for FREE appointment by dialing (505) 273-2978 or contact us through our website’s easy to use and convenient contact box available here.
