Recent statistics show that literally millions of auto accidents occur in the US every single year, with approximately 100 deaths per day and countless hospitalizations too as thousands of people suffer severe physical and mental injuries as a result of crashes and collisions on the roads and highways of America.
There are many possible causes of these accidents, such as reckless driving, negligent driving, road rage, poor road conditions, difficult weather conditions, distractions such as smartphones and snacks, and technical faults and failures with the cars involved, and there are many possible effects of these accidents too, with even the most minor of collisions having the potential to turn someone’s life upside down.
The costs of car accidents can add up in a lot of different ways, from the obvious costs of repairs and replacement parts for the damaged cars themselves to the personal costs that victims of these accidents can face as a result of their injuries. This guide will take a look at some of the many costs that need to be taken into account when accidents occur.
Vehicle Repairs
As stated above, one of the first costs to consider when crashes and collisions occur is the price of getting your car repaired or, in the worst situations, replaced. Depending on the severity of the accident, various technical issues and cosmetic damages may occur.
Windows can shatter, doors can dent, and interior components under the hood may have gotten damaged beyond repair in accidents like rear-end collisions. Auto insurance can help to cover many of these costs, but policyholders will still need to pay their deductibles and may have to pay a portion of the repair bills too, depending on the nature of their insurance policy.
Medical Bills
One of the most important costs to take into account after auto accidents are the price of any emergency medical treatment that may be required for the driver or passengers involved in the incident, and it’s not uncommon for people to suffer from injuries like whiplash, broken bones, fractures, or traumatic brain injuries in certain cases.
Depending on the victim’s insurance, they might have to pay quite a lot of their medical costs without any financial assistance. This can add up to tens of thousands of dollars or even more in the most serious incidents, which is why a lot of people seek out the services of car accident attorneys to help them claim compensation in accidents that they were not responsible for.
Recovery Fees
In addition to the direct medical treatments you may have to receive for your injuries, such as surgery or care on fractures or broken bones, there may also be recovery fees to take into account as well. For instance, someone who suffers from a TBI in an auto accident might require various forms of therapy to help them recover.
Again, the costs of this can really add up over time, resulting in very large bills in certain cases, and in some situations, people’s lives might be changed forever and they may require long-term care and assistance, such as the installation of stairlifts in their homes or the use of a wheelchair if they have suffered leg or spinal injuries that impair their mobility.
Lost Income
In many cases, victims of car accidents are unable to work for a little while after the accident. Those with whiplash, for instance, might need to rest at home for a while while they recover, or those with bone breaks, concussions, fractures, and other injuries may require extensive stays in the hospital, preventing them from earning their usual income and carrying out their usual work.
In the worst situations, it may even be possible for someone to lose their job entirely if they are no longer able to carry out their day-to-day duties. Someone who is a professional truck driver, for example, could find themselves unable to drive due to a disability they incurred in an auto accident, and the costs of this lost income can be enormous.
Final Word
It’s clear to see that the costs of car accidents can stretch far beyond the simple price of some repairs and replacement car parts. There are medical, legal, and emotional costs to take into account as well, which is why it’s so important for accidents to be avoided in the first place.
It’s impossible to eradicate the risk of auto accidents entirely, but you can improve your odds of staying safe when driving by keeping your focus on the road, avoiding distractions, sticking to the speed limit, and never driving while under the influence.
