There are a variety of situations where people may suffer catastrophic injuries. Serious bodily harm may occur in a high-speed motor vehicle collision, a fall from a great height, or due to an assault, to name just a few examples. Some of the most severe injuries affect the spinal cord, and in these cases, a person may experience paralysis, mobility issues, and a variety of other health concerns. By understanding the different types of spinal cord injuries and the ways they can affect a person, victims will be able to pursue compensation that fully addresses their damages.

Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries at Different Levels of the Spine

The spinal cord is a crucial part of the body’s central nervous system. Since it transmits nerve impulses between the brain and other parts of the body, damage to the spinal cord can result in loss of sensation or partial or complete paralysis in the areas of the body that are affected. 

Injuries to the spinal cord fall into two general categories. Complete spinal cord injuries may occur when the spinal cord is severed or suffers serious damage, and they will result in a total loss of sensation and motor function in the areas of the body below where the injury occurred. An incomplete spinal cord injury is less severe, and it may involve compression of the spinal cord or partial damage to nerves. People with incomplete spinal cord injuries will retain some function and sensation, but they will likely still experience significant limitations on their ability to use the parts of their body that have been affected.

People's lives are so busy with work and family obligations that getting enough sleep often falls to the bottom of the priority list. Most people know that adults should get 7-9 hours of sleep a night, but fewer are aware of just how dangerous sleep deprivation can be–especially behind the wheel. Not getting enough sleep at night can have profound effects on drivers’ ability to drive safely and responsibly. In fact, one study found that drivers who slept less than four hours at night were an incredible 15.1 times more likely to be in a car crash.

Drowsy Driving Can Lead to Severe and Fatal Car Accidents

Studies show that sleep deprivation causes significant impairment. Being significantly sleep-deprived has a similar effect to being under the influence of alcohol. Fatigued drivers are more likely to make mistakes behind the wheel and are slower to respond to road hazards such as dropped truck cargo or a stalled vehicle. Sleepiness also affects drivers’ visuospatial attention which means they are less capable of processing stimuli in their immediate surroundings. This can be disastrous while driving.

Some Drivers Fall Asleep at the Wheel

Another frightening consequence of drowsy driving is the potential for a driver to fall asleep at the wheel. The CDC reports that 1 in 25 drivers admit to falling asleep while driving in the last 30 days. Many drivers are also at risk of “microsleep.” Microsleep episodes occur when the driver falls asleep for just a few seconds without knowing that they fell asleep. Unfortunately, it only takes a split second for an injurious or deadly collision to occur.

Many drivers experience a sense of unease when driving next to a semi-truck, flatbed truck, or other large commercial truck. The fear is understandable. Large commercial trucks can cause devastating damage in a wreck. Fallen cargo from a commercial truck can also lead to terrible accidents.

If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a wreck involving a commercial truck, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim and seek damages. However, to bring a successful claim, you will need ample supporting evidence.  

As a society, we love our gadgets. Unfortunately, some people are too attached to their smartphones, tablets, GPS systems, and games too much to put them away while driving. Sources vary regarding the exact number of accidents caused by distracted driving in the U.S. However, most experts agree that the frequency of distracted driving crashes is increasing. According to one study, cell phone use while driving contributed to more than a quarter of all auto collisions.

Distractions often come in the form of electronic devices, but distracted driving can also be caused by eating and drinking, attending to children, and even daydreaming. If you or a loved one were hurt in a car crash caused by a distracted driver, read on to learn about your legal options.

Undergoing any type of surgical procedure can be frightening. While most surgeries are successfully completed without issue, unexpected problems can arise. Sometimes, these problems are unavoidable. Other times, the negligent, careless, or illegal actions of a medical professional caused the problems. If you were hurt or a loved one died due to a surgical error, it is important to understand your rights. You may be entitled to financial compensation for surgical and medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Surgical Mistakes Can Lead to Long-Term Medical Problems

Surgical errors can take many different forms. A surgeon may nick an artery or nerve, causing additional medical issues for the patient. Anesthesiologists may administer too much or too little anesthesia or fail to recognize dangerous drug interactions. Failure to properly monitor the patient for signs of distress during surgery can also lead to dangerous or deadly mistakes.