Did you know that even a so-called mild concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI)? The truth is, it is often impossible to predict how a brain injury may affect individual patients, even among those who acquired the injury in similar circumstances, such as a vehicle accident.
A severe TBI can cause permanent disability and long-term complications, but even mild damage can pose medical and economic hardships. However, proper medical care and lifestyle changes can improve the quality of life for TBI victims.
Remember to account for these potentially costly TBI expenses when planning your car accident claim.
1. Long-term medical care
Many TBI patients require immediate hospitalization as well as ongoing care and specialized attention long after the injury site has healed. Typically, this involves frequent medical appointments, rehabilitation and therapies that help you make the most of your new circumstances. Without these measures, your physical and psychological recovery may be at risk.
The costs of these beneficial treatments can be prohibitively expensive for the average American to afford.
2. Lifestyle and home modifications
When a TBI results in permanent disabilities, your home may no longer meet your needs and could even pose injury hazards. Modern technology offers an array of adaptive equipment and solutions that help brain patients retain as much independence and self-reliance as possible. For example, modifications to your bathroom may allow you to bathe safely without assistance.
As you might imagine, it can cost many thousands or more to modify your home so that it accommodates the limitations your TBI may impose.
You must ensure your car accident claim accounts for your losses, including the effects of a brain injury. In North Carolina, legal representation can help victims obtain enough compensation to meet the challenges of living with a TBI.
