What is Monoplegia From a Queens Car Accident, Explained by our Queens Auto Accident Lawyers
Although your spinal cord and major nerve branches are well-protected, there are many different types of paralysis that could happen in a motor vehicle accident. The most commonly known types of paralysis are either paraplegia (lower extremities) and quadriplegia (all four extremities and the torso). But what people do not know is that there are other types of paralysis from a motor vehicle accident. The next most common type is monoplegia from a Queens car accident. This is a type of paralysis that only affects one limb, usually due to trauma to the nerve bundle branching off the spinal cord.
Here at Cohen and Cohen Law Group, P.C., our experienced Queens car accident lawyers know that monoplegia is a very serious type of paralysis and personal injury. Often times, monoplegia is caused to an arm due to the anatomy of the arm and its nerves that are in direct contact with a seatbelt. Other times monoplegia could be caused to a leg from sheer trauma in an accident. In either situation, victims who are injured may be entitled to compensation under New York law. We can help with victims who have suffered monoplegia from a Queens car accident and offer a FREE case evaluation to determine what we can do to help you.
What is Monoplegia from a Queens Car Accident?
Monoplegia is a type of paralysis that only affects one limb. Unlike paraplegia that is two limbs (“para”) or quadriplegia that is four limbs (“quad”), monoplegia only affects one (“mono”). This almost always means that, unlike paraplegia and quadriplegia, monoplegia is not caused by a spinal cord injury. Rather, monoplegia is caused by damage to a major root branch that originates and extends from the spinal cord.
The shoulder is a common limb to be affected by monoplegia. This is because the brachial plexus nerves extend from the lower cervical vertebrae and the top thoracic vertebra to form one bundle of nerves at the base of the neck on both sides of the neck. These nerves then travel to the front of the shoulder and go down the shoulder girdle. The brachial plexus is commonly injured because a seatbelt usually comes over the nerves. In an impact, especially an explosive impact, the seatbelt will put pressure and even pull back on the shoulder and the nerve while the body may still lurch forward, including the head and neck. This can severe the brachial plexus and result in monoplegia of one arm.
There is also a lumbar plexus and sacral plexus that control portions of the leg and foot. Like the brachial plexus, if these groups of nerves are seriously damage in a motor vehicle accident it could result in monoplegia. However, it is less common for monoplegia in the leg because there are two large networks of nerves and not one like the arm, and the legs are usually protected under the siding of the door and held firmly into the seat. This is in contrast to the brachial plexus that is above the door siding and at the window which means debris could come into the vehicle and cause damage directly to the arm.
Causes of Monoplegia in Queens Auto Accident
There are many common causes of monoplegia from a motor vehicle accident in Queens. Generally, the more powerful the impact the more likely that the nerves will be affected and damaged. This means that high speed collisions or trucking crashes are common causes due to the extreme forces that occur in these types of collisions.
But outside of force, direct trauma to the nerves is another common cause. This means that trauma to the nerves due to piercing debris or extreme damage caused directly by an impact may severe nerves. This is particularly true in a t-bone collision where the engine block of one vehicle is colliding to the side of another vehicle where a passenger is sitting. This type of trauma could cause monoplegia from a Queens car accident.
If You Suffered Any Type of Paralysis Like Monoplegia, Call Our Experienced Queens Car Accident Lawyers
Victims who have suffered any type of serious nerve injury like monoplegia from a Queens car accident should ask our experienced Queens car accident lawyers at Cohen and Cohen Law Group, P.C. for help. We offer FREE case evaluations and if we accept your case, we will handle the matter for you without any upfront expenses or out-of-pocket expenses to you. Rather, we accept cases on a contingency fee agreement meaning that we only get paid after you get paid. Call today by dialing 800-247-8164 or use our convenient and easy-to-use contact us box available here to get the help you deserve.
