The impact of a car accident has long-term effects, especially when a person sustains a traumatic brain injury.
On top of the initial trauma, medical bills, and psychological and physical trauma, severe injuries often have life-altering effects that may forever take a financial toll. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons estimates that direct and indirect TBI-related equates to around $76.5 billion annually in the United States.
Loss of income
TBIs often change the brain forever, as well as come with lingering side effects. Depending on a person’s career, the severity of those changes may mean losing the ability to continue with a career. Cognitive and motor function losses may lead to the inability to work or settle for a job that pays significantly less.
Change in mental health
When a person survives a horrific ordeal and no longer feels like the same person, the stress of the entire situation opens the door to developing mental health issues. Many people start to experience depression and anxiety, which requires spending unexpected money on therapy. The change in mental state also increases the chances of substance abuse.
Need for home modifications
A TBI can create a host of issues that make it harder for a person to get around. From a loss of balance of vision, people may need to use equipment or other devices to safely move about While it depends on the layout of a home, people frequently have to make expensive modifications.
After navigating the initial chaos and stress of an accident, people with TBIs also may have to plan for their lives to change forever.
