The four main causes of this injury include:
Motor vehicle accidents (cars, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents) accounting for approximately 40 percent of all spinal cord injury cases.
Slip and fall accidents, with the fall either occurring on stairways or steps, from the same level, or from an upper level.
Intentional acts, such as a gunshot wound or an assault.
Sports and recreation activities, including diving, surfing, and horseback riding.