Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Bad Faith Insurance, Car Accidents, T-Bone Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Dangerous Drugs
Spinal cord injuries affect thousands of families in the U.S. each year. These injuries are often sudden and life-changing, bringing with them long-term health complications, financial strain, and emotional distress. Whether they happen on the road, at work, or home, spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can impact anyone.
This blog shares key spinal cord injury statistics, explores how these injuries happen, and explains why understanding the legal and medical implications is so important—especially for victims in Tulsa and across Oklahoma.
Each year, about 18,000 people in the United States experience a new spinal cord injury. These injuries don’t just affect mobility—they can impact every part of a person’s daily life, from breathing and bladder control to mental health and job prospects.
Today, approximately 255,000 to 390,000 Americans are living with spinal cord injuries. The average age of injury is around 43 years, a number that’s increased steadily over the past few decades as more adults and older individuals are impacted.
Men make up the vast majority of new SCI cases, accounting for nearly 80%. This is likely tied to higher rates of risk-taking behavior and involvement in high-impact activities such as driving or contact sports.
There are an estimated 18,000 new traumatic spinal cord injuries each year in the United States, with males accounting for nearly 80% of new cases.
Spinal cord injuries usually happen because of trauma—sudden force or impact that damages the spinal cord.
Here are the most common causes based on national data:
Vehicular accidents account for about 37% of SCIs, while falls cause about 32%, including stairs and slips.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause, responsible for around 37% of cases. These include car crashes, truck accidents, and motorcycle collisions. Falls are a close second, accounting for about 32% of cases, and are especially common in older adults.
Other causes include acts of violence (such as gunshot wounds), sports injuries (like diving or football accidents), and medical-related complications during procedures.
| Cause | Approx. % of New SCIs | Notes / Subcategories |
| Motor vehicle accidents | ~37% | Includes car, truck, motorcycle crashes |
| Falls | ~32% | Falls on level, stairs, from structures |
| Violence | ~15% | Gunshot wounds, assaults |
| Sports or recreation | ~8% | Diving, impact sports |
| Medical / other causes | ~8–9% | Surgical errors, disease, unknown causes |
Not all spinal cord injuries are the same. They range from mild to severe and affect people differently depending on where the spine is injured and how much damage is done.
Complete spinal cord injuries result in total loss of feeling and movement below the injury point. Incomplete injuries allow for some level of function or sensation. High spinal cord injuries can affect breathing and upper body movement, while lower spinal injuries may impact the legs or bladder function.
Common types include:
These injuries can also bring long-term health issues such as respiratory infections, blood clots, bladder problems, and depression.
Spinal cord injuries are not just medical emergencies—they often become legal and financial battles. Treatment can be expensive, especially for victims who are permanently disabled and can no longer work.
Lifetime costs for someone injured at 25 include $1 million for paraplegia and up to $3 million for quadriplegia—not counting lost income.
In Tulsa, victims of spinal injuries caused by negligence—like a distracted driver or an unsafe work environment—may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. These cases can be complex and often require input from doctors, life-care planners, and financial experts to determine the full extent of damages.
Spinal cord injury litigation often involves multi‑defendant claims and coordination of neurologists, life‑care planners, and economic experts to prove ongoing damages.
Each case is unique. A claim may seek compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost income, in-home care, and pain and suffering.
No one plans for a spinal injury. But many SCIs can be avoided with basic safety habits. Wearing a seatbelt, using helmets, taking care when climbing stairs, and avoiding risky behaviors can go a long way.
Falls are common in homes, especially for older adults. Installing grab bars, keeping floors clutter-free, and improving lighting can reduce that risk. At work, proper training and safety gear matter—especially in construction or warehouse jobs.
In recent years, sports and violence-related spinal injuries have gone down. However, injuries from car accidents and falls are still climbing, showing the need for continued awareness and prevention.
Spinal cord injuries affect more than just your body. They change your daily life and put your future at risk. That’s where a personal injury attorney comes in.
A skilled legal team can help you understand what caused your injury and who may be responsible. They gather evidence, consult with medical experts, and calculate what your care may cost over a lifetime. Whether through negotiation or trial, they aim to make sure your rights are protected.
For Tulsa-area victims, working with a team that understands the medical and legal aspects of spinal cord injuries is essential. With support from professionals who have handled cases like yours, you don’t have to face the journey alone.
Motor vehicle accidents and falls are the most common causes. Together, they account for nearly 70% of all spinal cord injuries reported in recent years.
It’s estimated that between 255,000 and 390,000 people in the U.S. are currently living with spinal cord injuries, according to recent national data.
Yes. Most new spinal injury cases occur in men, and the average age of injury is now around 43 years. This reflects a broader age range than in past decades.
SCI often results in high medical costs, loss of income, and long-term care needs. Paralysis, chronic pain, and emotional effects like depression are also common.
These cases often involve high damages and require multiple experts to prove future care needs, liability, and economic loss. They can also include various defendants.
Spinal cord injuries are sudden, serious, and life-changing. Whether caused by a crash, a fall, or another type of accident, they affect every part of a person’s life. Knowing the causes, understanding the statistics, and staying alert can help you reduce the risk.
Suppose you or someone you care about is facing the effects of a spinal cord injury caused by someone else’s negligence. In that case, Graves McLain Injury Lawyers can advise you on your legal alternatives. With experience handling these complex cases in Tulsa, their team is ready to guide you toward the support and recovery you deserve.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
