When we talk about car accidents, we often hear the term “serious injury.” But what does that really mean? Imagine you are driving to the grocery store and suddenly you are in a car crash. The first thing anyone asks is, “are you okay?” and sometimes, unfortunately, the answer is not so simple.
A serious injury stemming from a car crash will change your life in meaningful ways. It is not a small cut or bruise, but something that will probably follow you forever.
It might mean a permanent disability, like a brain injury that affects your ability to remember things and make good decisions, or a spine injury that paralyzes half your body.
It might mean many other things, including:
- Amputations
- Severe burns
- Brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones
While people who sustain some of these injuries may see hope for recovery, many do not. In many cases, they are no longer able to work and must rely on alternative compensation to survive because they can no longer make a living themselves.
Why does this matter?
Well, if you sustain a serious injury, you are probably facing a tough road ahead. In addition to recovering, or at least managing symptoms, you will have to deal with medical bills, lost wages if you cannot work and, naturally, the pain and suffering that come with knowing that your life will never be the same.
What to do
The first thing to do after you take care of yourself physically and speak to an attorney to see if you have a case is to give yourself time to mentally and psychologically process what happened. After all, this injury will probably mark a before and after in your life.
Serious injuries are more common than people think and unfortunately, they happen often because of car accidents. Remember to take care of yourself and make sure you have advocates that will help you navigate the medical and legal processes ahead.