A single accident can change your life in an instant. Even if a crash seems minor at first, it may result in injuries that affect your health for months or years. This blog covers the types of injuries that can lead to significant financial challenges and permanently affect your life.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
This type of injury occurs when a sudden impact disrupts normal brain function. Symptoms vary depending on the severity and location of the injury, but may include:
- Persistent headaches, pressure in the head or migraines that worsen over time
- Confusion, memory problems, difficulty concentrating or slowed thinking
- Dizziness, nausea, balance issues or coordination problems
- Sensitivity to light and sound that was not present before the accident
- Blurred vision, ringing in the ears or changes in taste and smell
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of TBIs in the United States. In total, TBI-related injuries contributed to 69,000 deaths nationwide in 2021.
Spine and spinal cord injuries
Common injuries from car accidents can include:
- Damage to the spinal column, such as herniated or ruptured discs
- Fractured or dislocated vertebrae
- Incomplete spinal cord injuries, causing partial loss of function
- Complete spinal cord injuries, which may result in permanent loss of sensory and motor function below the injury site
Aside injuries can cause chronic pain, respiratory complications, blood pressure irregularities and increased susceptibility to infections.
Compensation you may be entitled to
Compensation in a personal injury case addresses two primary categories of loss.
Economic damages cover your financial costs, including past and future medical treatment, rehabilitation and assistive equipment you need. These include income you lost while recovering and any future loss of your ability to earn a living if you cannot return to your prior job.
Non-economic damages address how the injury affects your life beyond finances. These accounts for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress and a diminished quality of life. They also reflect the strain of a lasting disability and the impact the injury has on your relationships with others. It is also worth noting that, in Missouri, there is generally no cap on the amount you can recover for these types of damages in a car accident case.
Regarding liability, the state operates under a pure comparative fault system. Even if you are partially responsible for a crash, you are not disqualified from receiving compensation.
Instead, the system reduces your financial recovery by your percentage of fault. For example, if your total damages are $50,000 but you are responsible for 10% of the fault, you would still be able to collect $45,000.
Legal representation can help manage the procedural requirements that might overwhelm you while you recover. This includes meeting deadlines, such as the state’s five-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, responding to legal motions and representing your interests if the case goes to trial.