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When Is a Motor Vehicle Accident Considered Catastrophic?

By Chuck James

In Car Accident Blog

While no car accident is a good thing, catastrophic collisions involve much more serious injuries and more significant financial losses than other crashes. Recovering as much compensation as possible after a catastrophic accident is imperative, but insurance companies are more likely to fight your claim. Without help from an Alabama catastrophic injury lawyer, you might not recover full compensation for your injuries.

Catastrophic motor vehicle accidents are one of our practice’s focal points at the Serious Injury Law Group. We can seek fair compensation after a crash that will appropriately compensate you for your losses. Keep reading to learn more about catastrophic injuries and how a Montgomery motor vehicle accident attorney can help maximize your compensation after a crash.

What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?

In motor vehicle accidents, a catastrophic injury is any injury that causes significant, long-term harm to a driver or passenger. Not all catastrophic injuries are permanent, though many are. But even non-permanent injuries can affect people for years afterward. The effects of a catastrophic injury can be physical, emotional, financial, or any combination of them. The cumulative impact of these injuries is what makes them so devastating.

What Are Examples of Catastrophic Injuries?

A few common examples of catastrophic injuries from car accidents are:

  • Limb Loss – Someone can lose all or part of a limb in an accident. Prosthetic limbs can help people regain some of their lost functionality, but prosthetics cannot fully replicate a natural limb’s feeling and subtle movements. Losing a part of the body can also significantly affect someone’s quality of life and will impact them emotionally.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury – Any brain injury carries the risk of severe physical and emotional health effects. These effects include everything from paralysis and memory loss to mood swings and changes in your personality, depending on the injury and its severity. In general, the effects of a brain injury are permanent, which is one reason they are so catastrophic.
  • Spinal Cord Injury – If a car accident damages or severs someone’s spinal cord, they could suffer significant results. Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis and affect other bodily functions, like bladder and bowel control. Like traumatic brain injuries, most spinal cord injuries are permanent.
  • Burn Injuries – Second-degree or third-degree burns can lead to permanent scarring, damage nerve endings, and destroy skin and muscle tissue. The devastation caused by burn injuries often requires skin grafts to repair. These injuries are some of the most painful things a person can experience. The pain and disfigurement from burns can also cause significant emotional effects and reduce someone’s quality of life.

What Damages Can Be Recovered After a Catastrophic Injury?

Your compensation for a catastrophic injury depends on many factors, but a Montgomery car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages or other income
  • Reduced future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Damaged personal property

What Can Cause a Catastrophic Injury?

Some types of motor vehicle accidents that can lead to catastrophic injuries include:

Contact Our Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Today

If you suffered catastrophic injuries in a car accident, the Serious Injury Law Group is ready to protect your rights and fight for fair compensation. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation.