Driving under the influence is dangerous, but many people continue to do it with disastrous consequences. Drunk driving accidents leave victims with a variety of injuries — if they survive – and the healing process for some Missouri residents can be frightening, slow and frustrating. For example, after a recent accident, doctors told a 50-year-old woman and her family that her spinal cord was severed.
She underwent a surgical procedure during which it was discovered that her spinal cord was intact. Her spine broke in two places in the crash, and her spinal cord is bruised. Unfortunately, repairing the damage might have increased the swelling, and the woman is on a ventilator because she is not able to breathe well. Only time will tell how long it will take for her to be able to breathe on her own. It could take some time to determine whether she will make a full recovery or will be left with some permanent damage.
The accident occurred the Friday before her surgery as she was headed home at around 5:45 p.m. on County Road 484. As she approached Brick’s Off Road Park, a vehicle pulled out in front of hers, and she was unable to avoid the collision. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the driver of the other vehicle is suspected of being impaired.
As the victim remains hospitalized and struggles to recover from undoubtedly serious injuries, her medical expenses and lost income could begin to create a financial burden for her and her family. She retains the right to file a personal injury claim against the other driver, seeking restitution for those financial losses and other damages often sought in drunk driving accidents. Successfully proving negligence on the part of the other driver could result in an award of those damages.
Source: standard-democrat.com, “Victim’s spinal cord wasn’t severed after crash”, Michelle Friedrich, June 12, 2015
