A man was paralyzed in a car accident in Black Mountain. Though he was brought to Mission Hospital’s Trauma Center and has been getting care in the ICU, his family has now said that they do not believe he’ll ever fully recover or be able to walk again.
Not only does that mean the man’s life has changed forever, but he also will not be able to do his job. For roughly the last 10 years, he’s been employed by Montreat College, working as a running coach. He worked with both the women’s and men’s track and field teams as their head coach.
The accident involved five different vehicles, one of which was allegedly speeding and caused the crash. Injuries that the coach suffered included a pelvis fracture, a lower back fracture, a severed spinal cord, bleeding on his brain, a broken arm and traumatic lung injuries.
The coach’s sister has been providing updates to people who have donated to him, and she said it would take around 12 months for him to recover, though he won’t be able to walk at the end of that time. She noted that he’d still be in the ICU for a long time, as well.
Police say that the man who caused the accident was in a Nissan Altima, and he was speeding. They’re still investigating, but he’s at least facing charges for reckless driving and careless driving, plus a number of traffic violations.
As this case shows, those who are seriously injured in car accidents can face extensive recovery times, incredible medical costs and life-changing injuries. It’s important, then, for them to know if they can seek financial compensation.
Source: Citizen Times, “Montreat coach injured in crash may never walk again,” Abigail Margulis, March 01, 2017
