Long-Term Health Consequences of Motorcycle Spinal Cord Injuries

Motorcycle crashes are among the most devastating types of collisions you’ll see on Illinois roads. Compared to drivers of cars and trucks, motorcyclists have next to no protection from the impact of the pavement or another vehicle. When a motorcycle accident results in spinal cord damage, the consequences are often permanent.

Spinal cord injuries and their effects last long beyond the days and weeks after an accident. They may permanently impact a victim’s ability to work, live independently, and care for themselves. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Chicago and you need help navigating your legal options, call Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers to discuss your case with a motorcycle accident lawyer.

The nature of spinal cord injuries caused by motorcycle collisions

The spinal cord carries most signals between the brain and the body below the neck. The spine itself doesn’t just provide stability for the body and keep you upright; the spinal cord allows the brain to tell your limbs, organs, and muscles what to do. Spinal cord injuries can damage or completely sever that connection, resulting in limited functionality or a complete loss of function. In Illinois, spinal cord injuries can happen on highways like I-90 and I-94, on scenic routes like Des Plaines River Road, and on the rural roads around Galena.

Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete. Complete spinal cord injuries leave no sensory or motor function in the sacral segments below the injury, while incomplete injuries leave the connection partially intact. The higher on your spine the injury occurs, the more body parts lose function.

Physical and functional consequences

These injuries often result in:

• Paralysis: Paraplegia is the loss of function in the legs, while quadriplegia is the loss of function of the arms and legs. An injury high on the spinal cord generally results in quadriplegia, but an injury lower on the spine may leave the arms’ function intact.
• Chronic pain: Even when victims are left with some movement and functionality, chronic pain is a common issue. Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nervous system and often causes burning, stabbing, or tingling sensations.
• Muscle spasticity: Uncontrolled muscle stiffness leads to pain and discomfort. It also limits a victim’s movement and can prevent them from engaging in daily activities.
• Bladder and bowel dysfunction: Loss of bladder and bowel control is an unfortunately common side effect of spinal cord injuries.

As you see, these are not short-term medical losses. These are often permanent losses that can completely change the course of an accident victim’s life.

Secondary health complications

While the issues we just discussed are some of the most severe and damaging consequences of a spinal cord injury, they are just the first line of issues caused by these injuries. Long-term, victims may develop other health issues, including:

• Respiratory complications: Injuries to the cervical part of the spine can permanently weaken breathing muscles. This means that when someone suffers a cold or other respiratory bug, they cannot effectively cough to get mucus out of the lungs. This often leads to pneumonia.
• Pressure sores: Pressure sores are caused by excessive pressure on one part of the body. A paralyzed individual may suffer pressure sores if they are not repositioned often enough. Even if a victim recovers their mobility, the decreased sensation in their body may result in pressure sores.
• Circulatory problems: An uptick in circulatory problems can ramp up the risk of blood clots, strokes, and blood pressure fluctuations.
• Bone and muscle loss: Reduced activity weakens the bones and muscles, resulting in permanent loss.

These health issues are serious enough that they can take away from an individual’s quality of life or shorten their lifespan.

Emotional and psychological consequences of spinal cord injuries

The physical effects of a spinal cord injury often give way to serious emotional and psychological concerns that further take away from a victim’s quality of life. The abrupt and brutal adjustment to a permanent disability is emotionally devastating, and victims often suffer severe depression and anxiety. The motorcycle accident itself, as well as the injuries caused by it, can also lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. Previously independent individuals who are suddenly forced to rely on others for assistance with mobility and personal care may struggle to adjust. Social isolation is a common outcome for many.

The financial burden of a spinal cord injury

It’s no surprise that spinal cord injuries can be financially devastating for motorcyclists. The immediate medical care required after an accident can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars on its own. On top of that, spinal cord injury victims typically need ongoing care for the rest of their lives, often totaling millions of dollars over their lifespan. If an accident leaves a victim unable to work—a fairly common outcome after a spinal cord injury—that loss alone could result in millions of dollars of lost income. This is hard to navigate anywhere, but it’s especially challenging in a high-cost-of-living area like Chicago.

Other costs add up quickly. Home and vehicle modifications, assistive devices, and at-home care can all add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of your injury.

It is crucial that victims consider these losses when working toward fair and full compensation after a spinal cord injury. A fair settlement doesn’t just account for a victim’s current medical expenses and lost income; their motorcycle accident lawyer must also consider their future medical care needs, the loss of quality of life they may have experienced, and the income they’ll lose out on for the rest of their life. Experienced spinal cord injury lawyers consult with medical experts, economists, and long-term care planners to determine the true costs of these injuries.

Choose Gainsberg Law for your spinal cord injury claim

If a spinal cord injury has left you unsure of what comes next or how to protect your rights, it’s time to talk to the team at Gainsberg Law. We’re ready to fight aggressively on your behalf for the compensation you’re owed as you plan for life post-accident. Reach out online or call us today.