The Financial Effect Of A Personal Injury

When you suffer an accident, either at work, home, or in a public place, your life can feel like it’s being put on hold. After the effect of the accident on your health, your finances are likely to take the biggest hit. The problems that results from the long term implications of a personal injury can cause severe emotional distress, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are three ways in which your financial situation can be affected by personal injury, and most importantly, what you can do about it.

Medical bills

The cost of treating any serious injury can add up significantly. Even with medical insurance an excess may be required, and some long term or specialised treatments might not be covered by your insurance plan. Without insurance the situation can be much more grave. You will be expected to pay using your income or savings, or with the help of family. In any case, the cost of treatment, medication, and rehabilitation is not without consequences. Medical expenses alone are enough to put the injured party in dire financial straits,  and can even lead to bankruptcy.

Damage to personal belongings

Certain types of accident can cause damage to property that is both costly and inconvenient. For example, a road traffic accident that leaves your car unusable can cause difficulty. Although the cost of repairing or replacing the car will be covered by the car insurance, many insurance plans do not provide a courtesy car. Therefore the cost of alternate transportation while waiting for a new vehicle, on top of the excess from your insurance plan, can have a significant impact on your finances.

Loss of income

If the injury you sustain is severe enough, you may find you’re unable to attend your employment for a period of time while you receive treatment and rehabilitation. Certain injuries could even make it impossible for you to continue work in your chosen industry, and so alternate employment may be required, and this process is time consuming and costly. Finding yourself out of work for any significant period of time can obviously have serious effects on your financial situation.

Solution

Although it can seem to be a helpless situation, all is not lost. There are avenues available to you to regain your lost money and compensation. A personal injury claim can result in payout for costs faced as the result of an accident, such as loss of income, damage to your personal belongings, and the cost of your medical bills. Compensation for damages such as emotional distress as a result of injury can also be covered by personal injury claims. The payout can help to allay fears of repercussions far ahead in the future that may result from long term rehabilitation problems and employment concerns.

Personal injury can be stressful and costly, and have serious long term implications. If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve read then you may find it useful to discuss the possibilities you have available to you with a personal injury lawyer.