Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the worst car crash injuries regularly reported. People with TBIs, in particular, may find that their collision injuries have devastating long-term financial consequences.
Most medical professionals classify TBIs that are moderate to severe as catastrophic injuries. What makes a TBI more serious than many other common traumatic injuries?
The cost of care
The emergency medical care required to stabilize a person with a serious TBI can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in a matter of hours. The rehabilitative care required after emergency interventions can also be quite costly.
People with TBIs can expect significantly increased lifetime care costs, which may only increase as they age and their support needs increase. Lifetime medical costs can range from tens of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars.
The professional consequences
Many people with moderate to severe TBIs must change their professions. They cannot continue working the same jobs because of the cognitive or physical changes they experience because of the TBI they sustain.
Even if they stay in the same job, they may require accommodations and may become less productive. That can reduce their eligibility for bonuses, gratuities and commissions. Those who repeatedly miss work because of medical issues may also struggle to secure advancement opportunities in the future as well.
The lasting consequences of a car crash TBI can leave people with expenses that insurance cannot fully cover. Working with an attorney to estimate total losses, negotiate with insurance companies and file a personal injury lawsuit can potentially be helpful for those adjusting to life with a car crash brain injury or any other catastrophic, life-changing injury caused by a collision.