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Last Modified on Jan 04, 2026
A truck accident can be a life-altering event, especially if you suffer paralysis as a result. This type of injury can affect every part of a victim’s life, and the mounting medical expenses that they face can become overwhelming. Atlanta truck accidents causing paralysis can result in a staggering financial burden that the responsible party should be held accountable for.
For over three decades, attorney Stephen LaBriola, LLP, has been helping clients recover damages after a catastrophic injury. He is committed to doing the hard work required to obtain a successful outcome in these cases and has helped recover tens of millions of dollars for clients in truck accident cases. If you need an Atlanta truck accident attorney, Stephen LaBriola can serve as your advocate.
Types of Medical Expenses After a Truck Accident Resulting in Paralysis
Vehicle crashes cause 37.5% of all spinal cord injuries. The costs associated with paralysis may vary depending on the severity of the injury and the type of paralysis. The average hospital stay after a spinal cord injury is 11 days. The next step for most survivors is a transfer to a rehabilitation center where the average stay is 36 days.
The medical expenses associated with paralysis are extensive. They include:
- Acute care and hospitalization. This may involve the initial trauma, the emergency room, and spinal surgeries. It may also include a stay in the intensive care unit.
- Rehabilitation. Long-term inpatient rehabilitation is necessary for patients to learn how to live with their spinal cord injury. It may include physical, speech, and occupational therapies.
- Ongoing medical care. Doctors’ visits, medication, diagnostics, and specialized services throughout the recovery process.
- Long-term care. Daily assistance, whether it is in the home or in a facility.
- Home modifications and medical equipment. Living with paralysis may require making changes to the home and specialized medical equipment such as wheelchairs, lifts, and beds.
The average yearly expenses, including living and healthcare, vary depending on the type of spinal cord injury and the location of the injury. According to the Christopher & Diana Reeve Foundation, it can range from several hundred thousand to the millions.
The Importance of Liability in A Truck Accident
The person or company that will pay your medical bills after a truck accident falls to the negligent party. Georgia is not an at-fault state, but uses a modified comparative negligence system. This means that the negligent driver’s liability insurance coverage is responsible, but compensation may be reduced if you are found to have contributed to the accident. Truck accident cases fall under Georgia state law and federal trucking regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates commercial trucks.
Evaluating Future Medical Needs
Medical experts are essential for evaluating the long-term financial impact of paralysis. They can review your medical records and injuries and make an assessment of what you’ll need for recovery. An expert can:
- Estimate the cost of follow-up appointments and ongoing medical treatment
- Estimate the cost of ongoing medical services needed
- Project the expenses of future surgeries, specialized treatment, and physical and occupational therapy
These evaluations are essential to strengthening your truck accident case. By working with experts, your attorney can pursue compensation for your lifetime medical needs that are accurately documented.
Recovering Future Medical Expenses
Georgia law allows victims to seek compensation for current medical expenses and the cost of future medical expenses. It does not cap damages in a personal injury case that involves a spinal cord injury, but certain legal standards must be met.
- Reasonable certainty. Medical evidence must support the need for future costs.
- Causation. The accident must have directly caused the paralysis.
- Statute of limitations. The claim must be filed within Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
A truck accident case can be complex due to the number of parties involved. Victims are often facing powerful trucking and insurance companies and their legal teams. With an injury as severe as paralysis, you don’t want to face these legal challenges alone, making it necessary to hire a truck accident lawyer.
An attorney familiar with truck accident laws can safeguard your rights through the entire legal process. They can investigate the accident, gather and preserve evidence, and work with experts to build a strong case that shows how it will affect you for the rest of your life. A seasoned spinal cord injury attorney can also handle all negotiations and communications with other legal teams and insurance companies.
FAQs
What Can Cause Paralysis After an Accident?
Damage to the spinal cord can cause paralysis after an accident. If it is bruised, severed, or crushed, the signals that it carries cannot reach the brain or the rest of the body. It can lead to loss of movement in just the lower body or loss of movement in the arms and legs.
Is Georgia a No-Fault State for Truck Accidents?
Georgia is not a no-fault state. It is an at-fault state. This means the driver found at fault in the accident will usually be responsible for paying damages. Other parties that may be liable include the trucking company, the truck owner, cargo loaders, manufacturers of defective parts, or maintenance providers.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for Paralysis?
The amount of compensation for paralysis after a truck accident in Georgia depends on the severity of the injury, lost earning capacity, and the amount of lifelong care that the victim will need. Georgia does not have a cap on damages, leaving the amount of compensation open to include pain and suffering, loss of future earnings, and punitive damages.
How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer in Georgia Charge?
Lawyers who handle truck accident injuries typically work on contingency. This means there are no up-front fees, and the attorney is paid out of the settlement if they obtain a settlement for you. A common fee structure in a truck accident case is a percentage of the settlement. Additional fees such as court filing costs, expert witness fees, medical records, and deposition charges are also taken out of the settlement.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been paralyzed in a truck accident, it is important that you contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Attorney Stephen LaBriola, LLP, can help you recover compensation for your damages after a spinal cord injury. Contact our office today.
