When another driver engages in negligent behavior while behind the wheel, you, your passengers and all other motorists around him or her face grave risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries in the car crash he or she may well cause.
Negligent driving practices represent the number one cause of catastrophic injuries in the U.S. These practices can include any or all of the following:
- Speeding
- Lane weaving
- Driving while distracted
- Driving under the influence
Catastrophic injuries
Lawyer Monthly explains that a catastrophic injury is one that changes your life by disabling you in some manner. Examples of catastrophic injuries include the following:
- Head injuries that cause partial or total impairment of your vision or hearing
- Traumatic brain injuries that cause a decrease in your speaking, thinking, or balancing abilities
- Neck or back spinal cord injuries that cause total or partial paralysis of your lower body, i.e., paraplegia, or your entire body, i.e., quadriplegia
- Crush injuries that cause amputation of one of your limbs
- Burn injuries that cause lasting disfiguring scars
Catastrophic injury costs
Needless to say, catastrophic injuries result in skyrocketing medical costs and significant lost work time in addition to enormous pain and suffering. Your economic costs during the first six months after your accident can easily exceed $500,000 in hospital, surgical, prescription drug and rehabilitation expenses, plus your loss of income.
Your noneconomic damages, such as your physical, emotional and emotional anguish over experiencing such a horrific life-changing injury can be even higher. You will likely suffer depression and a loss of enjoyment of your life as you learn to cope with your new reality.
