Car insurance is supposed to protect you if you get into a crash, but some people put too much faith in the insurance system. Drivers may not carry any supplemental coverage because they think they will be able to rely on the at-fault driver’s coverage to pay for all of their losses.
They may not recognize that the coverage mandated by the state will not be nearly enough if they suffer serious injuries. Certain kinds of injuries, in particular, have a strong association with expenses that far exceed the amount of insurance coverage available.
What kind of injuries could leave somebody with major uncovered bills following a car crash?
Spinal cord injuries
If the force of the crash injures someone’s spinal cord, they will have long-term limitations on their motor function and physical sensation below the site of their injury.
Even the least-serious spinal cord injuries will cost more than $300,000 in medical care in the first year alone and have recurring costs that someone will need to pay every year for the rest of their life. Before you factor in income consequences, the medical expenses may consume all of the insurance coverage available.
Traumatic brain injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have consequences ranging from memory loss to changes in your personality. If those symptoms affect your job, you may need to retire early. You may also require extensive medical support, like in-home nursing care.
Identifying the reasons why you may need more compensation than usual after a car crash can help you handle the claim process properly.
