A Painful Price: 5 Medical Problems to Watch For After an Accident
It’s easy enough to say that car accidents can be life-altering events. Beyond the mental strain and physical damage, however, certain injuries incurred in car accidents can be incredibly expensive to treat. And unfortunately for some folks, the financial harm of medical costs, combined with reduced income due to time off work, can be absolutely ruinous.
Regard Law Group wants you to know how expensive it can be to treat these injuries effectively, with the end goal of leaving you better prepared should the worst occur. To deliver on that goal, we’re going to cover some of the most expensive injuries associated with car accidents, weighing treatment costs, recovery times, and lost wages as we do so.
1.) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBIs account for a staggering 15% of all injury deaths in the United States.
The impact of a crash can cause the brain to collide with the skull, leading to a spectrum of impairments affecting memory, speech, coordination, and even personality.
Treatment can involve extensive rehabilitation, medication, and long-term care, easily reaching millions of dollars.
2.) Spinal Cord Injury (SCI):
SCIs are another devastating consequence of car accidents. The damage to the spinal cord can cause paralysis, loss of sensation, and a multitude of other complications.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation reports that the average lifetime cost of care for a person with SCI can easily exceed $1 million.
Clearly, the financial burden is immense, not to mention the added stress and emotional toll of adjusting to a new normal.
3.) Amputation:
The force of a collision sometimes inflicts injuries that lead to limb amputation.
While prosthetics do offer some degree of functionality, the cost of advanced prosthetics and ongoing physical therapy can be substantial.
Any amputation results in a permanent disability that significantly impacts a person's life and earning potential.
4.) Severe Burns:
Burns sustained in car accidents, especially those involving fires, can be excruciatingly painful and require extensive medical intervention.
Skin grafts, surgery, and rehabilitation are just some of the treatments needed, often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The long-term physical and psychological effects of burns compound the financial burden.
5.) Multiple Fractures:
Broken bones are a common occurrence in car accidents, but they shouldn’t be underestimated.
While some fractures heal relatively quickly, others, particularly those involving the pelvis or spine, require complex surgeries and lengthy recovery times.
This can lead to significant lost wages and potential long-term limitations.
This list is not exhaustive. It’s important to realize that many other injuries can result from car accidents, each with its own associated costs and specific challenges. As always, you’ll want a lawyer to walk you through the process, and as always, our team would be pleased to assist.
At the Regard Law Group, PLLC, our attorneys are here to help you find justice and hold negligent parties accountable, securing the compensation you deserve and providing the closure that you need. Injured? Contact our office to schedule an initial free consultation or get more information about our services.