Your Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 1-888-404-5167
Preszler Injury Lawyers

What types of accidents can cause spinal cord injuries?

There are approximately 86,000 Canadians living with spinal cord injuries, according to the Rick Hansen Institute, a non-profit dedicated to spinal cord injury research. About half of these people suffer their injuries as a result of trauma, while the other half are from non-traumatic causes like disease and cancer. Every year, there are an estimated 4,529 new cases of spinal cord injuries in Canada.

The Rick Hansen Institute estimates that 1,786 of these new spinal cord injuries have traumatic causes such as:

  • falls;
  • motor vehicle accidents; or
  • sports injuries.

Spinal cord injuries are projected to rise within the next 20 years in general, from an estimated 86,000 Canadians living with spinal cord injuries in 2010 to a projected 121,000 in 2030.

Spinal Cord Injuries from Car Accidents

One study published in The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery analyzed spinal cord injuries in Ontario over five years in the mid- to late-1990s. It found that nearly 43 percent of spinal injuries were caused by motor vehicle accidents, especially in the population under the age of 40.

Spinal Cord Injuries from Falls

The same study found that about 43 percent of new spinal cord injuries were caused by unintentional falls, such as falls by the elderly. These falls could be the result of poor balance as a result of aging, or could have external factors such as a slippery floor or un-cleared ice.

Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by Sports Accidents

The other major category of spinal cord injury is those caused by sports accidents. Sports that involve full contact between participants, like hockey, can lead to spinal cord or brain injuries.

Though participants in these sports assume some risk when choosing to play a potentially violent sport, athletic organizations have a responsibility to make their facilities and their facilitate their players in being as safe as possible to avoid injury.

What to Do after a Spinal Cord Injury

If you suspect you suffered a spinal cord injury – or suspect another person has suffered injury – seek medical care right away. Initial care is important to minimize damage to the spinal column.

These injuries can bring significant medical costs and require sufficient care. Spinal cord injuries can be complete or incomplete. A complete injury means that an individual is totally paralyzed below the line of injury, while an incomplete injury means that an individual retains some function below the injury. The effects of the injury and required costs may depend on the type of injury and extent of damage.

All of the bills and losses associated with a serious injury like this add up very quickly. If your accident was caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, you may be able to sue for damages. Further, if you or a loved one suffered the injury in a motor vehicle accident, you may be able to recover statutory accident benefits.

The lawyers at Preszler Injury Lawyers can help all types of personal injury cases, including those that involve serious injuries like spinal cord injuries, and can work to help you recover compensation. Call 1-800-JUSTICE® to set up an appointment with a lawyer in one of our six Ontario offices.

 

Call us now at
1-800-JUSTICE
®

151 Eglinton Ave W,
Toronto, ON
M4R 1A6
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
4145 N Service Rd
Burlington, ON
L7L 4X6
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
2 County Ct Blvd #400,
Brampton, ON
L6W 3W8
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
105 Consumers Drive
Whitby, ON
L1N 1C4
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
92 Caplan Ave #121,
Barrie, ON
L4N 0Z7
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
380 Wellington St Tower B, 6th Floor,
London, ON
N6A 5B5
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
2233 Argentia Rd Suite 302,
East Tower Mississauga, ON
L5N 6A6
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
1 Hunter St E,
Hamilton, ON
L8N 3W1
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
459 George St N,
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R9
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
22 Frederick Street,
Suite 700
Kitchener, ON N2H 6M6
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
116 Lisgar Street, Suite 300
Ottawa ON
K2P 0C2
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
10 Milner Business Ct #300,
Scarborough, ON
M1B 3C6
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
*consultation offices

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that the header image and other images throughout this website may include both lawyer and non-lawyer/paralegal employees of Preszler Injury Lawyers and DPJP Professional Corporation and unrelated third parties. Our spokesperson John Fraser, or any other non-lawyer/paralegals in our marketing is not to be construed in any way as misleading to the public. Our marketing efforts are not intended to suggest qualitative superiority to other lawyers, paralegals or law firms in any way. Any questions regarding the usage of non-lawyers in our legal marketing or otherwise can be directed to our management team. Please also note that past results are not indicative of future results and that each case is unique and that case results listed on site are from experiences across Canada and are not specific to any province. Please be advised that some of the content on this website may be out of date. None of the content is intended to act as legal advice as each situation is independent and unique and requires individual legal advice from a licensed lawyer or paralegal. For legal advice on your individual situation – we can provide legal guidance after you have contacted our firm and we have established a lawyer-client relationship contractually. Maximum contingency fee charged is 33%. Finally, our usage of awards and logos for awards does not suggest qualitative superiority to other lawyers, paralegals or law firms. All awards received from third party organizations have been done so through their own reasonable evaluative process and do not include any payment for these awards except for the use of the award logos for our marketing assets. We are also proud to service additional provinces like Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia.