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The high cost of catastrophic car accident injuries

On Behalf of | Apr 10, 2023 | Car Accidents |

Catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries can have a devastating impact on victims and their families.

The costs of these injuries can be massive, both financially and emotionally – and few people really can understand what that means until they’ve been there. For example, it’s estimated that the lifetime cost of a traumatic brain injury can reach $3 million, while the cost of a spinal cord injury can vary tremendously depending on its severity.

Where does all the money go? Naturally, medical expenses are a huge part of the equation. Victims may require multiple surgeries, hospital stays and ongoing rehabilitation for the rest of their lives, and none of that comes cheaply. However, there are also many indirect costs, like:

Home accommodations

After a catastrophic injury, a victim may require major home accommodations to make their living space accessible and safe. These accommodations can include ramps, stair lifts, widened doorways, and accessible bathrooms. The cost of these modifications can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars or more.

In-home assistance

Many victims of catastrophic injuries require in-home care, which can be very expensive. In-home care can include assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and eating. The cost of in-home care can vary depending on the level of care required, but it can easily reach thousands of dollars per month – and it may not be covered by insurance.

Career loss

Catastrophic injuries often result in the victim being unable to work, either temporarily or permanently. This loss of their career can be devastating, particularly if the victim was the primary breadwinner for their family. The emotional toll on the victim, too, can be intense, especially if they had a career they valued.

Emotional strain

The impact of catastrophic injuries is not limited to the victim alone. Family members may have to take on caregiving responsibilities or make major lifestyle changes. Meanwhile, the victim may experience depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The situation can change entire family dynamics and strain marital relationships to the breaking point.

Is Your Insurance Enough?

It is important to remember with the high costs of catastrophic injuries that the minimum liability insurance limit in Georgis is just $25,000. That amount likely will not go very far if you are even moderately hurt. A single night in the hospital alone can cost thousands. The best way to give yourself a chance is to have uninsured motorist coverage above the minimum. By getting high limits of UIM, you can better protect you and your loved ones.

It can be very difficult (or impossible) for the average person to understand the costs they’re facing after a catastrophic accident, which is why it’s so important to have experienced legal guidance.

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