Individuals who have been injured in a car accident know the devastating toll it can take. For far too many, the aftermath of a wreck means facing physical limitations, pain and suffering on both a physical and an emotional level, and facing an uncertain financial future. All of this can be overwhelming, especially for those who suffer catastrophic harm like a spinal cord injury.
Take, for example, just the cost of medical and rehabilitative treatment these individuals require. Those on the less severe spectrum of spinal cord injuries, if there is such a thing, can face more than $300,000 in expenses their first year alone. Each following year can rack up more than $40,000 in costs, meaning that a 25-year-old car accident victim who suffers from incomplete motor function can be hit with more than $1.5 million in medical and rehabilitation expenses over the course of his or her lifetime.
These numbers expand considerably for those with more severe spinal cord injuries. Those individuals who suffer from high tetraplegia, for example, can face more than $1 million is medical damages in the first year after their accident, with lifetime totals reaching upwards of nearly $5 million.
These figures don’t take into account other damages, either. Lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and physical and emotional pain and suffering should also be addressed when pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. After all, this is the only way to provide spinal cord injury victims with the resources they need to secure the treatment they need and deserve while providing them with financial stability. Pursuing these damages also helps achieve a greater sense of accountability.
No one expect to be injured in a car accident. Yet, far too often unsuspecting individuals find themselves facing enormous damages at the hands of negligent motorists. If you or a loved on are in this position, then it might be time to consider your legal options.