The Long-Term Costs of Traumatic Brain Injuries After a Car Accident in California
Car accidents happen in an instant, but the effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can last a lifetime. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI after a car crash, you might already know how serious and life-changing these injuries can be. TBIs often result in long-term disabilities that require expensive and ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and even round-the-clock care. This is why it’s so important to understand the full scope of what you might face regarding costs and compensation.
When you’re injured in a car accident, determining how much compensation you’ll need to cover all these future expenses isn’t just about the immediate hospital bill. TBIs can have consequences that extend far beyond the initial treatment, and they may affect your ability to work, care for yourself, or even live independently.
At William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., we know how to investigate and identify all the long-term costs you may face after suffering a TBI. Our attorneys will go to work to fight for the full compensation you need after suffering from a brain injury in a car accident.
Breakdown of Long-Term TBI Costs in California
When considering the expenses tied to TBIs, it’s important to think long-term. According to the CDC, the average lifetime cost of a TBI ranges from $85,000 to $3 million, depending on the location of the injury, the age of the victim, and the severity of the damage.
Here are some of the major categories of expenses you might face.
Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation
After a car accident, emergency medical care and hospitalization are your first major expenses. But this is often just the beginning. If you’ve suffered a TBI, long-term medical treatment becomes a necessity. This might include:
- Surgeries: Some TBIs require surgery to remove blood clots, repair fractures, or reduce pressure on the brain.
- Neurological treatments: Ongoing care from neurologists and other specialists is essential to monitor brain function and address new symptoms.
- Rehabilitation: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are often needed for months or even years to help TBI victims regain lost skills.
Caregiving and Assisted Living Costs
In severe cases, people who suffer TBIs may no longer be able to care for themselves independently. This can lead to a lifetime of caregiving needs. Whether it’s in-home care or moving to an assisted living facility, the costs add up quickly.
Assistive Devices and Home Modifications
Living with a TBI may also require modifications to your home or the purchase of assistive devices. This could mean installing ramps, widening doorways, or even setting up a home healthcare system to monitor your condition. The cost of these modifications can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the level of assistance you require.
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity
One of the most significant yet often overlooked costs of a TBI is the loss of income. If your injury prevents you from returning to your job or you can no longer work in the same capacity, this can result in lost wages and diminished earning potential for the rest of your life.
In California, this calculation depends on factors like your age, profession, and the severity of your injury. For instance, a software engineer who suffers from cognitive impairments may no longer be able to perform their job, resulting in a dramatic decrease in future earnings. Compensation should reflect not only current lost wages but also projected future losses.
Don’t Agree To a Settlement Without Knowing the Full Costs of Your TBI
After you suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI), it is crucial to understand the full scope of your injury and potential long-term issues before agreeing to any settlement. Your attorney will work with medical professionals to assess the extent of the injury accurately and anticipate future medical needs.
A key concept in this process is “maximum medical improvement” (MMI), which refers to the point at which a patient’s condition has stabilized, and further recovery is unlikely. Knowing when MMI has been reached helps ensure that all costs related to ongoing care, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments are considered in the settlement.
Never rush to sign any agreements without first talking to our law firm.
Contact Our San Bernardino Injury Lawyers Today
Suffering a TBI after a car accident can upend your life in ways you never expected. The road to recovery is long and full of financial struggles. That’s why calculating fair compensation is so critical—you need to think not only about the costs you’re facing today but also those that will arise months or even years from now.
If you’re living with a TBI or caring for someone who is, call the experienced traumatic brain injury attorneys at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. We can help ensure you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Don’t wait until the bills pile up—contact us at (909) 890-1000 or fill out our confidential contact form today, and we’ll call you back.
William Shapiro has handled catastrophic injury/wrongful death actions for over 4 decades obtaining numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. Honors include: 2022, 2016 and 2013 OCTLA “Top Gun” TLY; 2022 CAOC TLY Finalist; 2018 “Lifetime Achievement Award” Western State College of Law, 2021 & 2017 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year; 2016 WSBCBA “TLY”; 2015 CAL-ABOTA “TLY”; 2014 “TLY” Consumer Attorneys of CAOIE; 2011 “Hall of Fame,” Western State College of Law; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; International Academy of Trial Lawyers; International Society of Barristers; Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); National Board of Trial Advocacy; specialist in Trial Advocacy, State Bar of California; “Best Lawyers in America” and “Tier 1 Best Law Firms” U.S. News; AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell; SuperLawyers; Past President of: San Bernardino/Riverside chapter ABOTA; San Bernardino County Bar Association; Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire; The Joseph. B. Campbell American Inn of Court; Consumer Attorneys of California; IE ; National Sec of ABOTA, Adjunct professor, Western State College of Law. Learn more here.