What Common Accidents Cause Spinal Cord Injuries?

A spinal cord injury can result in damage to the ligaments, vertebrae, or the discs of the spinal column. Traumatic spinal cord injuries are typically caused by a blow to the spinal column that causes the vertebrae to become fractured, dislocated, compressed, or crushed. Knife and gunshot wounds can also cause a traumatic spinal cord injury. Non-traumatic spinal cord injuries are caused by disease and conditions such as cancer, arthritis, infections, and inflammation. Our Ohio personal injury lawyer explains further below.

What Accidents Cause Spinal Cord Injuries?

According to a study, the most common accidents that cause spinal cord injuries are as follows:

• Auto accidents: Nearly half of all spinal cord injuries every year are caused by motor vehicle accidents, making these crashes the leading cause.
• Slip and fall accidents: Falls make up a large majority of spinal cord injury cases as well, particularly for those over the age of 65.
• Sports: Approximately ten percent of spinal cord injuries are caused by high impact sports and other recreational activities, such as diving in shallow water.
• Violent acts: Although not necessarily an accident, acts of violence cause about 12 percent of spinal cord injuries. Gunshot wounds and knife wounds in particular cause these serious injuries.

Many of the above accidents are caused by the negligence of others. For example, a driver may text while they drive and rear-end another vehicle. The sudden jolt can cause the person in the struck vehicle to suffer a spinal cord injury. When someone else was to blame for a spinal cord injury, you can hold them accountable for paying damages.

Who is at Risk of Suffering a Spinal Cord Injury?

Accidents that cause spinal cord injuries can happen to anyone, but there are some individuals who are at greater risk than others. These include:

• Men: Men are disproportionately affected by spinal cord injuries. In fact, only 20 percent of spinal cord injuries affect women.
• People aged between 16 and 30 years old: Over half of spinal cord injuries affect people who are aged between 16 and 30 years old.
• People aged 65 years old and older: Slip and fall accidents cause the majority of spinal cord injuries in people aged 65 years old and older. The injuries suffered during these accidents are also more likely to be fatal for older individuals.
• Alcohol drinkers: Approximately 25 percent of spinal cord injuries are the result of alcohol use.
• Negligent or risky behavior: Careless actions, such as failing to wear proper safety equipment, can easily result in a spinal cord injury.

Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Ohio Can Help You Claim Damages After an Injury

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, our Ohio personal injury lawyer can advise on your case. At Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC, our skilled attorneys can determine who is to blame for your injuries and will hold them accountable for paying the full damages you are entitled to. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.