Some car accidents are so violent that the victims suffer the most severe injuries, which change their life forever. These injuries do not fully heal, leaving the person impaired or disfigured. These are called catastrophic injuries and a skilled Douglas car accident lawyer will always fight to win the maximum compensation possible.
What Are the Most Common Catastrophic Injuries in a Car Accident?
Car crashes can cause severe injuries to all the parts of the body. The following injuries are defined as catastrophic:
- Spinal cord injuries causing permanent paraplegia or quadriplegia, depending on the area of the spinal cord
- Traumatic brain injuries, which range from concussions to brain bleeding
- Multiple bone fractures, resulting in long-term complications, such as reduced mobility
- Severe eye injury resulting in blindness or loss of eye
- Severe burns resulting in scarring to the face and other visible parts of the body
- Amputations of limbs
Each of these injuries results in disability and impairment, which in turn result in further damages for the accident victim, for the rest of their life.
Consequences of Catastrophic Injuries that Determine the Value of Damages
Let us now discuss the many ways in which catastrophic injuries have a negative impact on the person’s life. All these negative consequences translate into economic damages, which you can recover in a car accident claim:
- Physical and mental limitations, resulting in the inability to enjoy life to the full or be able to obtain gainful employment
- Lifestyle changes, including modifications to the home and vehicles to accommodate assistive devices (wheelchair or walking frame)
- Personality changes caused by traumatic brain injuries
- Social and relationship changes, as the accident victim starts depending on family members as caregivers
- Financial strain due to the high costs of nursing care, rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Depression and low self esteem caused by disfigurement
Types of Damages Available for Catastrophic Injuries in a Car Accident
When you hire a Douglas car accident lawyer, they will ask for every bill and receipt related to the accident, as well as for relevant proof of income. At the same time, the attorney will discuss with your doctors to understand the severity of the injuries and how they may impact you in the long term.
These details are necessary to evaluate:
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages represent all the present and future financial losses caused by the catastrophic injuries you’ve suffered. They include:
- Medical expenses, covering hospital bills, surgeries and treatments, prescription medications, future medical procedures and ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Long-term care costs
- Lost wages and earning capacity if you are left unable to work at all or in a reduced capacity
- Assistive devices and modifications to the home and vehicles
2. Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate accident victims for pain and suffering. In case of catastrophic injuries, these damages are extremely high, because they include compensation for:
- Disability and scarring
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Emotional trauma
- Physical pain
3. Punitive Damages
Car accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries to one or several persons are often caused by gross negligence or recklessness – which are far more aggravating factors than mere negligence. One common example in this respect is speeding while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In this situation, if the lawyer has clear and consistent evidence of gross negligence, they may demand punitive damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Most punitive damages are capped at $25,000, with the exception of accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, where there is no limit to the amount.
However, 75% of the punitive damages will go towards the state treasury, and only 25% to the plaintiff.
Let an Experienced Douglas Car Accident Lawyer Win Your Damages!
At Joe Durham Jr., P.C, your case will receive personal attention from a team of skilled attorneys. A Douglas car accident lawyer at our firm is the best ally you can count on if you want to obtain fair compensation for your catastrophic injuries.
We have experience in the most complex cases, involving millions of dollars in damages and big insurance companies. And we always won the compensation our clients deserved for their losses, pain and suffering.
Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation at 229-210-6226!
