Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis Statistics

Spinal cord injuries and paralysis affect millions of Americans, often changing lives in an instant. Nearly one in 50 people in the United States lives with some level of paralysis—a figure almost 40 percent higher than previously estimated.

Key facts about spinal cord injuries and paralysis include:

  • Not all spinal cord injuries cause paralysis, and not all paralysis results from spinal cord damage.
  • The leading cause of paralysis in the U.S. is stroke, followed by spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • Auto accidents account for nearly half of all spinal cord injury cases nationwide.

The long-term challenges of living with paralysis can be significant:

  • Only about 15.5 percent of individuals with paralysis are employed, compared to more than 64 percent of those without a disability.
  • Many victims struggle to access adequate health insurance, making it difficult to afford ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and adaptive care.
  • As a result, family members and friends often become primary caregivers, providing essential support for daily living and emotional well-being.

These statistics highlight not only the widespread impact of spinal cord injuries but also the need for strong legal and financial advocacy to help victims rebuild their independence and quality of life.

How Are Spinal Cord Injuries Caused By Car Accidents?

As noted above, almost half of all spinal cord injuries are the result of an auto accident. (Falls, sports accidents, and acts of violence comprise much of the other half). According to an NCBI journal article, the chance of sustaining serious spinal cord injuries in a car accident is high, whether due to the low level of car manufacturing standards and vehicle safety measures, poorly designed roads, or an increase in driver inattention.

Common ways spinal cord injuries occur in car crashes include:

  • Sudden impact to the spine: A violent jolt can injure the spinal cord or nearby tissues, ligaments, and discs.
  • Fractured or dislocated vertebrae: Broken vertebrae can shift and compress the spinal cord, disrupting normal function.
  • Crushed or displaced tissues: Severe collisions can crush spinal tissues, causing pain, numbness, or paralysis.
  • Bleeding within the spinal canal: Internal bleeding may damage nerves and interfere with motor control.

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on several factors, including:

  • The location of the injury along the spinal column
  • The intensity of the crash and the force of impact
  • The overall health and age of the victim

Even without a complete spinal cord severance, car accident victims may experience limited mobility, muscle weakness, or loss of sensation below the injury site.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

The spinal cord is a spongy mass of cylindrical nervous tissues, surrounded by vertebrae. Any type of damage from trauma or pressure from an accident can interfere with the way the spinal cord normally works.

A spinal cord injury can start with minor symptoms but may worsen over time. Common ways these injuries develop include:

  • Pressure on weakened vertebrae: Even a small injury can strain or compress the spinal cord as vertebrae deteriorate.
  • Bone fragments piercing the spinal cord: Damaged bone can shift and tear the spinal cord, leading to severe nerve damage.
  • Herniated disc complications: A slipped or herniated disc may press against the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, or loss of mobility.
  • Severed spinal cord: In high-impact or traumatic accidents, the spinal cord may be completely severed. The extent of paralysis depends on where along the spine the injury occurs.

What Are Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Depending on the extent of the damage, a person with a spinal cord injury could suffer the following:

  • Loss of feeling in the extremities
  • Loss of feeling and paralysis from the waist down (paraplegia)
  • Loss of feeling and paralysis from the neck down (quadriplegia)
  • Muscle spasms
  • Chronic pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty coughing
  • Loss of bowel and bladder control
  • Muscle weakness
  • Numbness or tingling
  • An inability to feel heat or cold
  • An inability to feel a touch
  • Loss of sensation or altered sensations
  • Exaggerated reflex activities
  • Changes in sexual function and fertility

The spinal cord is a complex organ that is responsible for relaying sensory information to and from the brain and body. Because it is so complex, damage to the spinal cord can be difficult to repair, resulting in permanent damage to many of those who suffer spinal cord injuries.

How a Doctor Can Help Those with Spinal Cord Injuries

If a doctor suspects a spinal cord injury, he or she may test for sensory function and movement, ask questions regarding the accident, and run diagnostic tests. These tests could include:

  • X-rays
  • CT scans: provide a better look at an abnormality seen on an X-ray
  • MRI: helpful in identifying a mass, a herniated disk, or even a blood clot, any of which could potentially compress the spinal cord

After enough time has passed since the accident (giving the swelling time to subside), the doctor will conduct a more thorough exam, which is meant to determine the overall level of injury to the spinal cord. The patient will be tested to determine whether a light touch can be sensed, as well as to measure muscle strength. There is no way to reverse spinal cord damage, however, researchers are working on new treatments for spinal cord damage, which include:

  • Medications that can promote nerve cell regeneration
  • Electrical stimulation devices
  • Robotic gait training
  • Prostheses

There are also certain emergency medical actions that can, in some cases, be taken to reduce the level of long-term damage to the spinal cord, including:

  • Immediately immobilizing the spine
  • Surgery to stabilize the spine and remove bone fragments
  • Significantly lowering body temperature for 24-48 hours to help prevent damaging inflammation

Most of those with spinal cord injuries will begin rehabilitation while in the early stages of recovery.

How Our Experienced Denver Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Can Help

At the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, we fully understand just how serious and life-altering spinal cord injuries can be. We know that a spinal cord injury can prevent you from returning to your job—for weeks, months, or even forever. You may need assistive devices to help you get through your day-to-day life, not to mention months or years of rehabilitative therapies and medical procedures. We have an extensive network of medical authorities and specialists, ready to help you through this difficult time.

Attorney Dianne Sawaya and her team will work hard to hold the person at fault for your accident responsible while helping you regain your function and your dignity. Contact the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya today.