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Helping a loved one cope with car crash-related injuries

On Behalf of | Jun 18, 2018 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

The closest bonds of love and family ties are something an injured victim will need to fall back on after a serious motor vehicle collision. Facing serious injuries and an inability to return to work, the person who suffered injuries in the crash may require financial and even physical support during convalescence.

Car crashes can result in all kinds of serious medical issues, such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Some people lose limbs, while others experience compound fractures that require surgery and immobilization during recovery. If someone you love suffered serious injuries in an accident, you may need to step up and provide care.

Focus on the practical needs during recovery

Depending on the prognosis for your injured loved one, he or she could require care for several months or the rest of his or her life. Make sure that your home has accessibility modifications in place that will make it simpler for your loved one to enter the home, move inside it and access facilities like the bathroom. The installation of ramps and grab-bars, the removal of doors and the careful rearranging of spaces can all make a home more accessible.

A healthy diet, plenty of rest and mental engagement are all important to recovering from serious injuries. You may need to take great care when planning and cooking meals for your loved one. You may also need to help with other forms of self care, including getting dressing, basic daily hygiene and financial maintenance of the household.

For those with traumatic brain injuries, you may need to prepare yourself for a massive shift in behavior, mood and personality. Brain injuries can leave an adult in an regressed state or totally dependent on the care and support of others to meet daily needs.

A careful review of the needs of your loved one can help you determine which supports will make the most difference. In some situations, skilled help, including home nursing aides, may be necessary. Other times, you and your family can provide the vast majority of the supports needed by an injured loved one. Make sure that you’re honest with your own capabilities, and take time for yourself to recharge both physically and mentally.

Make sure you help your loved one seek available compensation

For those with permanent disability as a result of a motor vehicle accident, long-term disability insurance can help defray medical costs and living expenses. Filing a claim in a timely manner and ensuring that you have all the necessary documentation is important to the process.

In situations where your loved one was the victim of a negligent or intoxicated driver, you may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. If law enforcement assigned fault to the other driver due to alcohol, drugs, distraction or even exhaustion, that could be sufficient grounds to pursue compensation from the driver who caused the crash. That compensation can help repay your family for lost wages, medical expenses and the costs of modifying your home for better accessibility.

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