Lesiones de Médula Espinal por Accidentes de Auto. Lo Que Necesita Saber

Spinal Cord Injuries Are Among the Most Catastrophic

Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, motor vehicle crashes account for approximately 39 percent of all new spinal cord injuries each year. In Texas, where high-speed highways, commercial trucking, and urban traffic congestion create constant hazards, these injuries are devastatingly common.

A spinal cord injury occurs when the vertebrae, ligaments, or disks of the spinal column are damaged, causing trauma to the spinal cord itself. The spinal cord carries nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body. When those signals are disrupted, the result can be partial or complete loss of motor function and sensation below the level of injury.

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on two factors. The location of the injury along the spinal column and whether the injury is complete (total loss of function below the injury site) or incomplete (some function or sensation remains). These factors determine everything from the victim's ability to walk to their capacity to breathe independently.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries (C1 through C7)
Injuries to the cervical spine (the neck region) are the most severe. They can result in tetraplegia (also called quadriplegia), which is the loss of function in all four limbs. Injuries at the C1 through C3 levels may require permanent mechanical ventilation because the nerves that control breathing are affected. Injuries at C4 through C7 may allow some arm and hand function but typically result in significant paralysis.

Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries (T1 through T12)
Injuries to the thoracic spine (the upper and middle back) typically result in paraplegia, which is the loss of function in the lower body. Individuals with thoracic injuries generally retain full use of their arms and hands. The level of trunk control and abdominal muscle function depends on where along the thoracic spine the injury occurred.

Lumbar and Sacral Spinal Cord Injuries (L1 through S5)
Injuries to the lower spine affect the hips, legs, bladder, and bowel function. These injuries may result in partial or complete loss of leg function. Some individuals with lumbar injuries can walk with braces or other assistive devices, while others require a wheelchair.

The Lifetime Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury

The financial impact of a spinal cord injury is staggering. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates the following lifetime costs (in current dollars) for a person injured at age 25.

For high tetraplegia (C1 through C4), first-year medical costs average over $1.1 million, with annual costs of approximately $199,000 each subsequent year. The estimated lifetime cost exceeds $5 million.

For paraplegia, first-year costs average approximately $560,000, with annual costs of approximately $75,000 each subsequent year. The estimated lifetime cost exceeds $2.5 million.

These figures do not include lost wages and lost earning capacity, which can add millions more depending on the victim's age, occupation, and career trajectory.

Proving Damages in a Spinal Cord Injury Case

Texas law allows you to recover compensation for every category of damages caused by a spinal cord injury. Building a case that captures the full scope of these losses requires expert testimony and meticulous preparation.

Past and Future Medical Expenses
Your attorney will work with your treating physicians and life care planning experts to document every medical expense you have incurred and project every expense you will incur for the rest of your life. This includes emergency treatment, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, prescription medications, assistive devices (wheelchairs, modified vehicles, home modifications), home health care, and ongoing medical monitoring.
A life care plan is a comprehensive document prepared by a qualified expert that details every medical need the injured person will have for the remainder of their life, along with the projected cost of each item. This plan is a critical piece of evidence in any spinal cord injury case.

Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
A spinal cord injury often ends or dramatically alters a person's career. An economist can calculate the total value of wages and benefits the injured person would have earned over their working life had the injury not occurred. This calculation accounts for expected raises, promotions, inflation, and the present value of future earnings.

Pain and Suffering and Mental Anguish
The physical pain caused by a spinal cord injury is immense. But the emotional toll is equally devastating. Depression, anxiety, loss of independence, loss of the ability to participate in activities the person once enjoyed, and the strain on relationships are all compensable under Texas law. Your pain journal, testimony from family members, and expert psychological testimony all contribute to proving these damages.

Loss of Consortium
The spouse of a person who suffers a spinal cord injury may bring a separate claim for loss of consortium, which compensates for the loss of companionship, affection, and the marital relationship. This claim is discussed in more detail in our article on loss of consortium claims in Texas.

Immediate Steps After a Suspected Spinal Cord Injury

If you or someone you love has been in a car accident and a spinal cord injury is suspected, the following steps are critical.

Do not move the injured person. Moving someone with a spinal cord injury can cause further damage. Wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive and stabilize the spine.

Call 911 immediately. Spinal cord injuries require emergency medical treatment. Time is a critical factor in limiting the extent of the damage.

Preserve all evidence. Have someone photograph the accident scene, the vehicles, and any relevant road conditions. If possible, obtain the names and contact information of witnesses.

Contact an attorney as soon as possible. Spinal cord injury cases require early investigation. Your attorney needs to preserve the at-fault vehicle's event data recorder, obtain surveillance footage, and retain accident reconstruction experts before evidence is lost.

Why You Need an Experienced Trial Attorney

Insurance companies treat spinal cord injury claims differently than routine car accident cases. The stakes are too high for a standard adjuster. These claims are typically handled by specialized units with access to defense medical experts, life care planning consultants, and economists who will challenge every aspect of your damages.

You need an attorney who has the resources and experience to match the insurance company's firepower. You need experts who can present the full lifetime cost of your injury. And you need a legal team that is prepared to take the case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation.

Contact Medina & Medina for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident in Texas, Medina & Medina can help. Call us at (512) 883-0012 for a free consultation. We understand the medical complexity and lifetime impact of spinal cord injuries, and we have the resources to fight for the full compensation you deserve. You pay nothing unless we win.

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Socio fundador de Medina & Medina, Israel Medina es un abogado de lesiones personales que sirve a familias en todo Texas.

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