Car accidents happen every day in East Texas. The vast majority of them are fairly mild, with no serious harm to anybody involved. Then there are crashes where somebody suffers a broken bone or other significant but fixable injury. Those are less common but still fairly ordinary.
What’s a catastrophic injury?
Once in a while, though, somebody gets hurt so badly in an auto accident that their lives are changed forever. Catastrophic injuries can take away your independence, quality of life and ability to parent your children. On top of that, they can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, physical therapy, construction to adapt your home to your disabilities, and medical equipment like a wheelchair.
Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Paraplegia, quadriplegia and other forms of paralysis
- Severe traumatic brain injury
- Amputated or maimed limb
- Spinal injuries such as damage to vertebrae or a disc
Such injuries can cause physical, neurological and psychological limitations for life or indefinitely. You might no longer be able to perform your old job, or any job at all. Instead of taking care of your spouse and children, you might rely on them and other helpers with everyday tasks like bathing, getting dressed and eating. And hobbies you used to enjoy, such as playing sports, hunting and exercising, may now be impossible. Your enjoyment of life can fade.
Holding the negligent responsible
Some catastrophic injuries were unavoidable. But they often are the result of somebody else’s negligence. A person who drives drunk or distracted, speeds, runs red lights or tailgates, and causes a crash as a result, is responsible for the harm they cause others. This means you can sue them for compensation for your damages instead of having to bear that financial burden yourself.