The Impact of Car Accidents on Family Members and Caregivers

You start your day by driving to work or the airport. It’s just like any other day until it isn’t. If you live in Alabama, statistics show that you have a one-in-three chance of being involved in a car accident in your lifetime.

If you are lucky, a fender bender will leave your car a bit dented. It serves as a reminder always to drive safely – buckle your seat belt, follow the speed limit, allow a safe distance between cars, and never drive distracted or under the influence.

If you are not lucky, an Alabama car accident can have a lifelong impact on you, your family, and its future.

It is always a good idea to contact an Alabama car accident attorney after a car accident to seek the compensation you will need to move forward.

The Impact of a Car Accident 

As the driver, you may be shocked that you could even get in a car accident. You are generally a safe driver and have never had an accident before. But in a second, another vehicle can come out of nowhere and hit you head-on, impact your car with a T-bone, or hit you from behind. A larger vehicle can push you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

None of this is your fault. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time, but that doesn’t stop the flashbacks or trauma you may experience from the collision. You may relive it in your nightmares. It may cause you anxiety and to question whether you can ever drive again. Then there is the cost, not just of a damaged or totaled vehicle, but of your medical care, both now and in the future.

Catastrophic Injury:

The most severe injuries occur every day from serious car accidents. Catastrophic injury includes traumatic brain injury (TBI), which may be a permanent condition. For families, a TBI means the injured person will need around-the-clock care, and often, that responsibility falls to family members to become caregivers. Not only does this alter the entire family dynamic when a father becomes a round-the-clock patient or a mother cannot be there for her children, but serious economic concerns also result.

The immediate questions become:

• Who will be the primary breadwinner?
• What happens when one family member has to care for another?
• Who will cover the medical bills and the cost of a caregiver?

An accident that occurs in an instant can affect a family for years to come and even permanently.

Physical and Mental Pain:

Add to this new dynamic, the injured may take years to recover from their car accident. A catastrophic accident can have the victim turning to pharmaceuticals to relieve the pain. Perhaps the accident caused the victim to lose the use of their arms or legs. These injuries can cause immense guilt when the injured cannot perform their role within the family.

Children, too, are suddenly thrown into a new family situation as their needs become secondary to the injured family member.

Mental stress can take a toll as family members struggle to deal with their new reality.

Economic Stress:

The burden is immense for family members and caregivers, as they now must help with daily living needs, just at a time when two incomes are needed. Most of us cannot afford to leave one income behind. The cost of medical care, ongoing therapy, and the loss of a wage, both now and in the future, are all possible impacts of an Alabama car accident. If a family member can help now, it’s much appreciated, but many families cannot afford to suffer both an economic loss and medical needs simultaneously.

Your Alabama Car Accident Attorney

Allan Brown has spent years helping people just like you. He understands that a thorough investigation into the car accident will need to be conducted. The negligent party will be responsible for your losses, but getting their insurer to offer a fair settlement may be difficult.

Attorney Brown is able to not only conduct a convincing negotiation but, if needed, will take the other side to court to present your case and obtain the compensation you need to make you whole. Call Alabama Car Accident Attorney Brown at his Mobile, Alabama office at 251-473-6691 to begin a compassionate conversation and come up with a plan for your future.

The Impact of Car Accidents on Family Members and Caregivers

Discover how car accidents in Alabama impact families and caregivers profoundly. From catastrophic injuries to economic stress, explore the long-lasting effects and the importance of seeking legal support for compensation. Contact J. Allan Brown, an experienced Alabama Car Accident Attorney, at 251-473-6691 for compassionate guidance and expert representation.

Service Type: car accident attorney