Motor vehicle liability insurance protects people who get hurt in car crashes. Even if these people don’t have health insurance of their own, the liability policy of the driver who caused the crash will usually cover the expenses someone has after a collision.
People can make claims for the cost of medical care, the cost of vehicle repair and even lost wages if their injury keeps them out of work. The more serious the injury is, the more protection they need from the financial impact of that injury.
Sadly, the people with the worst possible injuries are often left without necessary protections after a car crash because insurance simply won’t cover enough of their costs. Those with spinal cord injuries may find that even initial expenses exceed the available insurance protection.
Even minor spinal cord injuries cost tens of thousands of dollars
The severity of a spinal cord injury directly impacts how much it costs. The least severe form, an incomplete injury with only some motor function impact, can cost on average of about $347,000 in the first year after the injury and an average of $42,000 every year after that. The most severe kinds of spinal cord injuries can cost $184,000 or more each year.
When you consider that the state of Texas only requires $30,000 in medical coverage for a crash with one injured victim, you can easily see why insurance alone may not be enough after a spinal cord injury. You may need to consider filing a civil lawsuit against a driver who caused a crash that resulted in a spinal cord injury for you or a member of your family.