Spinal cord injuries and paralysis can result from motor vehicle accidents such as rollovers and collisions, as well as from:
- Seatbelt failures
- Power windows
- Roof collapse
- Seat back collapse
- Suspension Defects
- Tire Tread Separations
Rollovers
Rollovers can happen in any automobile but are most common in SUVs and other vehicles with a narrow wheelbase and high center of gravity. Poor roof strength standards cause the roof to collapse, coming into contact with the head, neck, and spine of the occupants.
Seatbelt failures
Faulty seatbelt design can lead to seatbelts that rip apart, don’t fight tightly enough, and unlatch during impact, failing to restrain the passenger.
Power windows
Cars manufactured in the United States do not come with a safety feature that causes a power window to retract when it comes into contact with an obstruction. As a result, young children suffer from serious neck injuries as a result every year.
Roof collapse
This usually happens when an automobile rolls over. The roof is not able to withstand the collision, and collapses in on the heads of the occupants, causing debilitating injury to the spinal cord.
Seat back collapse
A faulty seatback will collapse upon impact, causing the occupant to be ejected from the car.
Suspension defects
Suspension defects cause issues with steering, causing the vehicle to lose control. In some cases suspension defects can cause rollovers and the injuries that go along with them.
Tire tread separations
Tire tread separations cause a vehicle to quickly lose control, causing collisions, rollovers, and the spinal injuries that accompany these types of accidents.