When people are involved in major car accidents, they may incur traumatic injuries that can result in permanent disability or death. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of traumatic injuries in Ontario, and the statistics associated with them are alarming.
According to the Canada Nurses Association, traumatic injuries are both a national and global concern. Unintentional traumatic injuries are the top cause of death for people under the age of 35. In 90 percent of the cases, the traumatic injuries were preventable. Examples of permanently-disabling traumatic injuries include those to the brain or spinal cord occurring as a result of car accidents. Each type may leave an injured victim with a lifetime of expensive medical care and a permanent reduction in their quality of life.
In addition to the costs in terms of human lives, traumatic injuries result in significant financial losses, both for the victim as well as for the country as a whole. In a 2009 study, researchers reported that traumatic injuries result in $19.8 billion in losses every year in Canada. This figure includes $10.7 billion in the costs of direct care and $9.1 billion in income losses and time away from work due to hospitalizations. It averages out to approximately $600 for every child, woman and man living in Canada.
Traumatic brain injuries may necessitate that the victims will need to receive a lifetime of personal care in order to take care of their most basic day-to-day needs. People who have suffered a traumatic injury in a car crash caused by the negligence of another driver may benefit by seeking the advice of a personal injury lawyer in terms of the remedies that may be available. A lawyer can help to prepare and file a personal injury lawsuit seeking all available damages.
