Certain injuries possible in a car crash or similar scenario may result in catastrophic consequences. A person’s life is never the same, even if they achieve the best possible medical outcome. Spinal cord injuries are among the worst and most debilitating traumatic injuries possible. Traffic incidents are among the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. Car crashes, semi-truck collisions and motorcycle wrecks are all capable of causing life-altering spinal cord injuries.
People with spinal cord injuries may require more compensation than insurance can provide. What makes spinal cord injuries so costly?
Massive lifetime medical costs
A spinal cord injury often requires intensive trauma care after a collision. The injured person could easily have medical bills totaling six or seven figures in the first year after their injury.
They may also have tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual medical expenses for the rest of their lives. Finally, their support needs in their golden years are likely to be much higher due to their significant support needs.
Lost income
Spinal cord injuries frequently leave people unable to continue their chosen careers, especially if they work in blue-collar fields. Even if they can work, they may not be able to pursue advancement and opportunities. Lost wages and reduced earning potential can drastically alter a person’s finances. Finally, people have to consider the cost of modifying their homes and their vehicles to be wheelchair accessible. Even the most generous insurance policies may fall far short of those expenses.
Working with a personal injury attorney can help those with spinal cord injuries address their economic losses. Serious injuries often require litigation to address, which makes legal representation beneficial.