Seattle Car Accident Attorneys Assisting Quadriplegia Victims

WA Car Accident Lawsuits for Injuries Resulting in Quadriplegia

Washington Car Accident Lawyers Helping Those with Quadriplegia

Auto accidents occur with too much regularity in Washington, and while many people are fortunate to escape unharmed, the fact remains that the majority of auto accidents lead to at least one injury suffered by someone involved with the crash. Everyone who has been harmed in an auto accident that’s the fault of someone else has legal rights that need to be enforced, but some are so severely injured that their lives change forever in an instant. One such injury is that of quadriplegia.

Below you’ll find information regarding what quadriplegia is and how it occurs in the body, some basic statistics regarding quadriplegia, a description of the needs and realities of a quadriplegic even after he or she leaves the hospital and finally how you should proceed if you or someone you love has suffered this fate and need the help of a Seattle car accident lawyer.

Quadriplegia Described

Quadriplegia basically describes a condition whereby the patient at issue has lost the ability to move and control his or her arms and legs. Quadriplegia results from trauma being inflicted on the upper portion of the spine, and the effects of such trauma are immediate. This means in reality that one second can remove a person’s ability to function as he or she has since birth.

There are some variances within the realm of quadriplegia. While most quadriplegics completely lose control of their arms and legs, not all cases of quadriplegia are permanent. There are some cases where the patient can ultimately recover either some or all of the movements in the limbs, although these cases are in the minority overall.

Much the same, there are cases of quadriplegia where the patient does not necessarily lose all ability to move his or her extremities. Some quadriplegics have a very limited ability to move these parts of the body, although this limited mobility is not sufficient to regain the ability to live a lifestyle consistent with what existed prior to the injury.

An Overview of Quadriplegia

Regardless of the specifics of quadriplegia and how it affects a specific patient, the fact remains that it is a severely traumatic injury that affects many people. Even if a person has a small chance of overcoming the paralysis that results from this injury, that person faces a long and excruciating process of overcoming several obstacles that this injury presents.

Of all people in the United States who suffer from and fight against quadriplegia every day, more than one third of them suffered this injury and this result from an auto accident. In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of quadriplegia in the country, and anyone who suffers this sort of spina cord injury should expect an extended stay in the hospital. Estimates indicate that the average length of stay in a hospital after this sort of injury ranges anywhere between six months and eight months. Beyond that stay, more needs and challenges arise.

Quadriplegia from Car Accidents – The Reality

After a person finally recovers from the spinal cord injury that caused the quadriplegia to a point where he or she can safely be released from the hospital, an entire set of new needs and challenges arise that present obstacles to living as normal a life as possible. These needs are indefinite in terms of duration, and some of them are described below.

Quadriplegia and the Home

When a quadriplegic finally gets to return home, his or her living area needs to be completely redone in order to accommodate a new set of needs. What used to be aspects of a home that were always taken for granted – front steps, stairs, bathroom features and the like – need to be re-purposed so that someone who cannot move his or her extremities can navigate these areas without encountering risks of further injury. Such items as ramps, lifts and other technical equipment need to be added to the home immediately.

Quadriplegia and Travel

Obviously, no one with quadriplegia will be able to travel independently. Vehicles with special equipment that includes ramps for loading and unloading and safety devices inside the vehicle will be needed in order to keep the patient safe while on the road. These devices are not only expensive but must be properly maintained in order to continue to work properly.

How a Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Unfortunately, statistics show that those who suffer from quadriplegia also must face a shorter life span than before the injury. Without the ability to function properly, quadriplegics face grave danger if they contract otherwise minor illnesses such as infections, viruses or pneumonia. If you or someone you love faces a life of quadriplegia because of an auto accident, you need to contact the Washington auto accident lawyers at Phillips Webster as soon as possible to schedule a free initial consultation. The firm has decades of experience in holding those responsible for this terrible result accountable, so contact our Seattle car accident lawyers today to make sure your legal rights are protected.