A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which means the force of a collision with a passenger vehicle is unlike almost any other road accident. When that kind of impact occurs, the spine is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body, and consequences like paralysis can change a person's life permanently.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The “spinal cord” is a bundle of nerves running from the brain down through the backbone, carrying signals that control movement and sensation throughout the body. When those nerves are damaged in a truck accident, the results can range from chronic pain and limited mobility to complete, permanent paralysis.
What Are the Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete. A ‘complete’ injury means all sensation and motor function below the injury site is lost, while an ‘incomplete’ injury means some function remains. Paraplegia, which affects the legs and lower body, and quadriplegia, which affects all four limbs, are the two most serious outcomes commonly associated with high-impact truck accidents.
How Do Truck Accidents Cause Spinal Cord Damage?
The force of a truck collision can compress, fracture, or sever the spinal cord in ways that smaller vehicle crashes typically do not. Rear-end impacts, rollovers, and “underride” accidents, where a car slides beneath a truck trailer, are among the most damaging crash types for spinal injuries. Federal regulations require rear underride guards on trailers, yet side underride protection standards remain limited, which leaves a significant gap in occupant safety during certain collisions.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Paralysis?
“Paralysis” affects far more than physical movement, as many people also experience loss of bladder and bowel control, chronic pain, respiratory problems, and heightened risk of infection. The emotional toll is significant as well because adjusting to life with paralysis often involves depression, anxiety, and major lifestyle changes. Long-term care, home modifications, adaptive equipment, and lost earning capacity all contribute to the financial burden these injuries create.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident?
One or more parties may be held “liable,” including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loading crews, the vehicle manufacturer, or a maintenance contractor. Identifying every responsible party matters because it directly affects the compensation that may be available.
What Compensation Is Available for Spinal Cord Injuries?
Injured individuals may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, future care costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life. Because spinal cord injuries often require lifetime medical management, the financial stakes in these cases are typically very high.
How Long Does a Truck Accident Lawsuit Take?
The timeline depends on the severity of injuries, the number of parties involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. New Jersey generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, although gathering medical records, accident reports, and trucking company data takes time. Starting the legal process early gives lawyers more opportunity to build a thorough case.
Should I Speak With a Lawyer Right After a Truck Accident?
Trucking companies typically have legal teams and insurers working quickly after an accident to limit their liability. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible after a crash helps protect important evidence before it disappears. A lawyer can review the facts, identify liable parties, and advise you on your legal options available under New Jersey law.
Serious Injuries Demand the Kind of Skilled Representation That Our Freehold Truck Accident Lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. Offer
If you or a loved one suffered spinal cord injuries or paralysis after a crash, contact our Freehold truck accident lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. For a free consultation, call today at 732-906-1500 or complete our online form. With office locations in Brick, Freehold, Edison, and Toms River, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.
