Some car crash injuries are easy for people to address. They respond well to medical care and cost less to treat than insurance covers. The injured party can obtain full compensation for their medical expenses and lost wages with a successful insurance claim.
Other times, a crash may produce more substantial injuries. The medical costs associated with those injuries could go beyond what insurance can cover. The likelihood of the injury creating lifelong functional challenges can further increase the economic impact it has on the injured person and their family members.
Catastrophic injuries may diminish earning potential and force people to accept numerous secondary expenses. All three of the injuries below can potentially produce costs that go beyond what insurance covers.
1. Limb loss or amputation
Some people lose body parts during a crash. Factors including the speed of the vehicles, the size difference between the vehicles and even the placement of a person’s body when a crash occurs can influence the likelihood of an amputation occurring.
Some amputations occur after the crash because doctors determine that removing the injured body part is the best option. Both traumatic and medical amputations can cause major medical expenses and may significantly limit an individual’s earning potential.
2. Traumatic brain injuries
There are several ways that a car crash could injure an individual’s brain. They could fit their head on the steering column or a window. The vehicle could roll over, causing violent shaking motions.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) typically generate major medical costs even if they don’t respond well to treatment. People may require a lifetime of medical support that could cost anywhere from $85,000 to $3 million according to Northwestern University research. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths cost the United States approximately $76.5 billion annually. They may require in-home accommodations and may also experience a drop in earning potential.
3. Spinal cord injuries
Both blunt force trauma and abrupt motions can lead to injuries that pinch, tear or cut through the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries cause paralysis and a loss of sensation.
They have an association with major medical expenses and reduced earning capabilities. Spinal cord injuries also make people dependent on mobility technology. People may incur tens of thousands of dollars in expenses making their homes and vehicles accessible after a spinal cord injury.
Those with catastrophic car crash injuries may need help looking into their options for compensation later. Filing a lawsuit is often the only way to cover catastrophic injury expenses after a motor vehicle collision.
