Fast Facts From A Catastrophic Injury Attorney
Not all injuries are catastrophic. Many injuries, although painful and debilitating, are less severe than others. A catastrophic injury is one that has serious, long-term consequences. Catastrophic injuries are common after truck crashes, severe motor vehicle crashes, and vehicle versus pedestrian accidents and can result in traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and paralysis.
Catastrophic injuries are life-altering for victims and their families, especially when the injury results in a permanent disability. The outcome of a catastrophic injury changes everyone’s life forever.
According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 there were 39,107 motor-vehicle crash-related deaths. 4.5 million injuries required medical consultation that cost $463 billion dollars. Of those injured in car accidents, around 2 million drivers experience permanent injuries.
If a catastrophic injury is caused by another’s reckless or negligent behavior, the victim may be entitled to compensation. If you or a loved one sustains a catastrophic injury that is due to someone else’s negligence, get an attorney! Insurance company research shows that victims with attorneys receive, on average, 40% more money than those without attorneys.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Unfortunately, there are too many ways to get injured today. However, some risks are far greater than others for a catastrophic injury. Vehicular accidents are a major source, and as vehicles get larger and become more powerful, and drivers become more distracted or careless the risk increases exponentially. Here is a list of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries:
Car accidents – Car accidents are one of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries. Today’s SUVs and pick-up trucks are large and powerful and are becoming a leading contributor to catastrophic accidents and injuries.
Truck accidents – Big rigs, or eighteen-wheelers, can be devastating when involved in an accident with a smaller vehicle. In addition to the driving behaviors common to all drivers, truck drivers are often fatigued.
Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycles are vulnerable to catastrophic accidents because they can be difficult to see and lack the protection of an auto.
Bus Accidents – Buses are large and carry many passengers who are often not wearing seatbelts.
Bicycle accidents – Bicycle versus vehicle accidents can be devastating to bike riders, often causing catastrophic head injuries.
Pedestrian accidents – Pedestrians are the most vulnerable victims on our roads today.
Sports accidents – Youth and adult sports are becoming common causes of paralysis and closed-head injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Boat and Jet Ski accidents – Many boats and jet ski accidents involve alcohol, which impairs the driver’s faculties.
Slip and Falls – Slip and fall accidents are common causes of closed head injuries.
Fires and Explosions – Fires and explosions can happen quickly and spread before victims can escape leaving horrible burns and crushing injuries.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are defined as those that result in death, disfigurement, or a permanent loss of consequential limitation of use of a body organ, member, function or system.
Some catastrophic injuries are more difficult to detect or diagnose than others. Victims with a closed head injury may appear normal but might have lasting disabilities like:
Personality changes
Mood swings
Irritability
Memory loss
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty handling day-to-day activities.
Click on the following links for details on a few catastrophic injury types:
Brain Injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Burn injuries
Wrongful Death
Catastrophic injuries like the ones listed above can require medical care, equipment, therapy, long-term care, loss of wages, modifications to homes and vehicles. If you or a loved one suffer a catastrophic injury you will need a catastrophic injury lawyer to fight the insurance companies and win the compensation you deserve.
Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries
A law firm with experienced catastrophic injury attorneys can recover the expenses a victim of catastrophic injury might incur including:
Surgery
Ongoing medical care
Prescription drugs and pain medications
Medical equipment like wheelchairs, crutches, and braces
Physical, emotional, or psychological therapy
Long term care or caretaker
Loss of wages
Pain and suffering
Your Rights if You Suffer a Catastrophic Injury
If you or a loved one suffers a catastrophic injury due to no fault of your own, a catastrophic injury lawyer can help you to understand whether you may be entitled to be compensated by those responsible for your injuries. If someone else’s carelessness or negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.
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