Motor vehicle collisions can cause devastating injuries. Sometimes, car crash injuries are so severe that they cause life-altering, permanent symptoms. Paralysis is one of the worst and most-feared consequences of a major car wreck. A collision can cause traumatic injuries to the spinal cord that result in paralysis. People can also sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can cause motor function challenges that leave them incapable of ever walking again.
When car crash injuries result in paralysis and leave people dependent on a wheelchair, there are three general forms of financial consequences that an injured person may need to address.
1. Major medical expenses
The trauma care required after sustaining a major brain injury or spinal cord injury can be very costly. Even after leaving the hospital, the paralyzed person is likely to face significantly increased annual medical care costs as compared to before the injury. In many cases, paralysis generates six figures or even seven figures in lifetime medical expenses.
2. Accommodation expenses
When people rely on wheelchairs and other mobility devices due to paralysis, the cost of their medical equipment can add up quickly. Additionally, they need to make adjustments to their homes and vehicles for their comfort and overall safety. The cost of modifying a home to make it wheelchair accessible can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. Vehicle modifications for wheelchair accessibility or hands-only operation by a paralyzed driver are also very expensive and may arise every decade or so for the rest of an individual’s life.
3. Lost income
Any time spent in a medical facility is generally time when a professional doesn’t earn their usual income. Paralyzed individuals may also lose future earning potential. They may need to change careers or may no longer be able to aggressively pursue career development as they did before their injuries. They may lose out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifetime earning potential or possibly even more.
The average car insurance policy does not include enough coverage to fully address the staggering costs that come with paralysis. Reviewing the police report about a car crash and the medical records for the injury that resulted with a skilled legal team can help people to better understand their options for seeking compensation when a wreck leads to paralysis.