How Catastrophic Car Accidents Differ From Minor Collisions: A Legal Perspective
When it comes to car accidents, no two incidents are ever the same. While a minor accident might involve little to no injuries, a serious one can lead to expensive medical treatments, months or even years of recovery time, not to mention substantial changes to a person’s overall lifestyle. For this reason, catastrophic accidents are much different from a legal perspective. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of what defines a catastrophic accident and why these cases are so complex.
What Makes an Accident Catastrophic?
The most defining feature of a catastrophic car accident is the presence of long-term and often life-threatening injuries. These may include traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, amputations, coma, severe burns, and paralysis. In most cases, injuries from catastrophic accidents require extensive medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation, and the victim may suffer from impairments that last for years if not the rest of their life.
The Cost of Catastrophic Accidents
While the cost of medical bills is one of the first things that victims of catastrophic accidents consider in the early stages of their treatment, as time passes, they are also confronted with a wide range of other costs as well. For many, the loss of income alone is one of the most expensive costs associated with enduring a catastrophic accident. Most victims will be out of work for an extensive period of time as they recover, and some may never be able to return to work at all.
The cost of medical expenses also includes many hidden costs beyond initial treatment. Rehabilitation, follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and medications can all significantly eat away at a victim’s already precarious financial situation. This is all without mentioning the cost of long-term care, such as stays at medical facilities, in-home care, and modifications to their home, such as wheelchair ramps and safety equipment in kitchens, stairways, and showers.
Finally, it’s important to consider the emotional toll as well. Catastrophic accidents can not only affect someone’s ability to work but also their overall ability to care for themselves. They may even be unable to enjoy certain activities they once did, such as hiking, fishing, or other social or recreational opportunities.
All this means that accurately valuing a catastrophic accident case is not only incredibly important but also highly complicated. Insurers often dispute the full extent of these damages, challenging claims over lost wages, treatment plans, or long-term care needs. This makes it critical to fully document the effects an injury currently has on a person’s life, as well as the ways it will continue to affect them in the future.
Insurance Coverage: A Significant Barrier for Victims
One of the most pressing issues in catastrophic car accident claims is the limitations imposed by insurance coverage. In Illinois, drivers must carry an auto insurance policywith minimum liability coverage of $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person, and $20,000 for property damage. These amounts fall drastically short when someone is facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.
However, there are some instances in which victims may be able to recover additional compensation through other avenues. For example, they may be able to turn to their own underinsured motorist coverage. Or if other parties shared responsibility for the accident, they may be able to pursue compensation from those parties as well (for example, if the driver was working when they caused the accident, their employer might be held liable).
Hiring an Attorney Is Crucial After a Catastrophic Accident
As you can see, catastrophic accidents are often complex and highly contested. Calculating the full cost of injuries, including medical care, rehabilitation, lost income, and long-term impacts on daily life, can be difficult, and insurers may dispute the figures at every step.
An experienced catastrophic injury lawyercan help address these challenges. An attorney can gather medical records, accident reports, and other evidence, and even work closely with medical and financial experts to document the full effects of an injury. Just as important, an attorney can help explore other sources of recovery when the at-fault driver’s insurance isn’t enough.
If you’ve been in a catastrophic accident, consider speaking with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can handle the difficult work of evaluating the full scope of your injuries, push back against unfair offers or accusations of blame by insurers, and give you the best chance of recovering full compensation.
