So, you were recently in a car accident? How about a bike or truck accident? Great, I’m sure you’re just happy to be alive and making a full recovery. Not so fast.
Truth is, these injuries can follow you for years, even decades after the fact. Motor vehicle injuries cost an estimated $498.3 billion in the U.S. each year. That’s not an insurance companies problem…
That’s people’s problem. People trying to pay off medical debt because someone else didn’t follow the rules.
What you’ll discover:
- The Health Costs That Come Later
- The Reasons You’ll Get More Medical Bills Later
- Car Accidents’ Effects on Financial Security
- The Damage Behind “Minor” Injuries
The Health Costs That Come Later
No, your whiplash isn’t going away after a couple of weeks. The vast majority of people believe that injuries end with the car accident. Like an iceberg in the ocean, only a small part of the damage is visible to the naked eye.
The force involved in any car accident is shocking to the human body, even at low speeds. It’s the equivalent of falling off a roof, or getting punched in the face by a brick. These “minor” crashes can have life altering effects.
The 25-year-old that gets rear-ended and suffers minor neck pain is great. Until they’re 45 and have a daily ache in the lower back.
Delayed symptoms are the norm:
- Chronic neck pain
- Recurrent headaches
- Stiffness in the joints/arthritis
- Sleep disorders
- Memory loss
- Depression and anxiety
These are not small inconveniences. They are life-altering diagnoses that require ongoing medical care. And that medical care costs money.
Spoiler alert: The money is probably going to come out of your pocket.
The Reasons You’ll Get More Medical Bills Later
Average car accident-related hospitalizations total about $57,000 over a lifetime. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The average person just going through an accident is concerned with the short term costs. The ambulance ride to the ER. A few doctor visits. Some physical therapy down the road. But they often overlook the long-term expenses.
- Surgeries to “correct” initial procedures
- Prescription medication for pain and stiffness
- Physical therapy to recover lost mobility
- Mental health counseling for PTSD and anxiety
- Mobility devices such as wheelchairs and braces
- Prosthetic limbs and support for amputees
CDC research shows the average cost of a crash-related ER visit is $3,362 and the average hospitalization totals $56,674.
Few people carry insurance policies that would cover these additional lifetime costs. If you’ve got chronic conditions that last for years and cost thousands per year, those numbers add up FAST.
A serious injury victim should consult with a qualified car accident lawyer in Wesley Chapel to assess legal options for medical costs recovery and future damages compensation.
Car Accidents’ Effects on Financial Security
Medical bills are just the start of the car accident story.
Car accidents hit your financial security from several different angles. As you’re going to physical therapy and getting diagnostic tests, you’re also not at work.
- Missed income during recovery time
- Loss of earning capacity
- Career limitations due to physical limitations
- Increased insurance premiums
- Vehicle replacement or repair costs
Use a simple example: a construction worker can’t work if they injure their back in an accident. This worker has a lifetime of reduced earning potential. No one considers short term lost income when they start making 60% of what they used to make per month.
If a 30-year-old loses $20,000 of annual earning capacity because of an accident, they can lose more than $700,000 over a lifetime.
The Damage Behind “Minor” Injuries
Insurance companies love to downplay injuries with the word “minor.” Don’t let them get away with it.
Even the most “minor” of injuries can cause massive long-term problems. That “minor” concussion can lead to chronic cognitive issues. The “simple” shoulder separation can require several surgeries.
Insurance companies usually try to low-ball the accident victim as soon as possible. They’ll offer a quick $3-5K to “make it go away” before the accident victim realizes the gravity of the injuries.
Red flags your “minor” injury is major:
- On again off again symptoms
- Pain that migrates around the body
- Sleep problems or issues concentrating
- Mood swings and irritability
- Fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest
The smart thing to do is see several doctors to get a handle on the injury severity. Don’t let an insurance adjuster tell you your pain is imaginary.
Mental and Emotional Costs of Accidents
Accidents are not just physical damage.
Crashes are traumatic life events that trigger long-term psychological damage. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is extremely common. So are depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
Mental healthcare costs can include:
- Counseling from psychologists and psychiatrists
- Prescription antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications
- Support group costs
Most insurance policies only cover these costs in part. Some accident victims develop phobias about driving after a crash, leading to employment issues and relationship problems.
This is not just a physical issue. This is an existential life issue.
Fighting Back: Your Rights as a Victim
You are not alone.
The driver that hits you is legally responsible for ALL of the damages that they cause you. This is not just your immediate medical expenses.
ALL of your losses. Such as:
- Future medical expenses and health care needs
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering damages
- Emotional distress costs
However, the insurance companies are not going to pay you one penny of these costs. They will try to settle the claim at the lowest possible amount, as quickly as possible.
Legal representation is often the most important piece. Experienced personal injury attorneys understand how to value long-term losses. They work with medical and financial professionals to put a true price on these damages.
The end goal is not just current bills. The goal is to protect your financial future.
Planning Ahead
Car accident injuries are a lottery that no one ever wants to win.
You should always plan in the event that you or a loved one becomes an accident victim. Document everything. Keep accurate records of all medical procedures, lost wages, and out of pocket costs.
Most importantly, never settle a case before you know the full impact of the injuries. Some take months and even years to develop.
Work with specialists that fully understand the cost of long-term injuries including: medical professionals, financial advisors, and cost valuing experts.
The important thing to remember is that you only get one chance to settle. Once you sign that final release agreement, there is no going back.
Conclusions and Moving Forward
Motor vehicle accidents are a destructive domino effect.
The physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial stress caused by these injuries feed off each other. Dealing with one problem makes the other two worse.
Understanding the long-term effects is the first step in protecting yourself. That may mean getting appropriate medical treatment, retaining a qualified attorney, or being suspicious of early settlement offers…
Knowledge is power. The total 2019 injury cost was $4.2 trillion. That’s MILLIONS of people whose lives are completely changed by preventable accidents.
Don’t let it happen to you. Take your injuries seriously. Get the treatment you need, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
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