Derek Rolo | July 23, 2025 | Personal Injury
Some people who are injured in car accidents or other events heal completely from their injuries. Others aren’t so fortunate. Some injuries lead to permanent partial or total disabilities.
However, not all disabilities happen because of an injury. Some — like autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy — may be present at birth. Others may develop over time.
Whether they qualify you for Social Security disability benefits or not, physical and mental disabilities can make everyday life more difficult. These are 10 of the most common types of disabilities.
1. Musculoskeletal / Connective Tissue Injuries and Disorders
Many well-known disabilities are classified as musculoskeletal or connective tissue disorders:
- Ruptured spinal discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
Very serious injuries to bones, muscles, and other tissues can also cause serious disabilities. For example, if you’re the victim of a hit and run and suffer a crush injury resulting in amputation, you’ll likely face mobility-related challenges.
2. Mental Health Disorders
Mood disorders, like bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder, psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and other kinds of mental disorders, like PTSD and ADHD, can pose significant challenges across many areas of life.
3. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Spinal Cord Injuries
These injuries are common in survivors of car and truck accidents. When many people think of TBIs and spinal cord injuries, they think of life-altering brain injuries and paralysis. However, these injuries run the gamut from mild concussions to quadriplegia.
Even if you think your brain or spinal cord injury is mild, it’s still important to seek medical help as soon as possible. Even serious injuries may show few to no symptoms at first, and prompt medical attention is the best way to minimize further damage.
4. Intellectual Disabilities
Intellectual disabilities impair your ability to learn and solve problems. However, they also make it harder to engage in adaptive behavior. “Adaptive behavior” includes everyday living skills like maintaining basic hygiene, shopping, cooking, and communicating.
5. Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders impact the brain, nerves, and spinal cord. They include cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
6. Sensory Disabilities
A sensory disability is any condition that impairs your vision, hearing, and other senses. Generally, disorders impacting hearing and vision cause the greatest difficulties.
7. Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental condition that can impact many areas of your life. It looks very different from one person to the next, and some people suffer greater impairments than others.
8. Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a condition that makes it harder for your brain to process language. It can impact your ability to read, write, or both. Mild dyslexia is often easier to manage, but more serious issues with processing are especially challenging to overcome.
9. Other Medical Disabilities
Many types of medical conditions are considered to be disabilities.
These are a few examples:
- Heart disease and other cardiopulmonary issues
- Gastrointestinal conditions, such as Crohn’s disease
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
Depending on the severity of your medical condition, you might experience mild impairment or have trouble navigating most facets of your life.
10. Neoplasms
A neoplasm (another word for tumor) is an abnormal growth of cells in your body. Most people hear “tumor” and think of cancer, but not all neoplasms are cancerous.
They fall into three distinct categories:
- Benign (non-cancerous)
- Pre-cancerous
- Malignant (cancerous)
Benign neoplasms may still need treatment if they cause pain or otherwise interfere with your life. If your neoplasm is cancerous or precancerous, you will likely need cancer treatment.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers at Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers for Personalized Legal Support
Most of the time, disabilities cannot be completely cured, but they can be managed. That might mean seeking advice and guidance from your medical team, learning from peers with similar disabilities, or even discovering new coping skills on your own. Although your disability may hinder your well-being, it’s still possible to lead a full and rewarding life.
If you’ve been injured and need reliable legal guidance, reach out to the experienced team at Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We proudly serve clients in Middletown, Orange County, and the surrounding areas in New York.
Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers
265 NY-211 Suite 106B, Middletown, NY 10940
(845) 383-7790
