The combination of icy roads and holiday rush hour traffic can make Idaho winters especially dangerous for drivers. While we hope every accident ends with just a few scrapes and bruises, severe crashes can lead to life-changing injuries. Below are the three worst injuries you can get from a motor vehicle accident.
Traumatic brain injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) ranks among the most devastating consequences of motor vehicle accidents. The sudden impact in a crash can cause your brain to collide with your skull, leading to severe damage. Beyond the immediate medical crisis, TBI survivors often face:
- Memory and concentration problems
- Personality changes
- Speech difficulties
- Balance and coordination issues
Any one of these issues can make it difficult to continue working like before. Moreover, these challenges can require years of therapy and ongoing medical care to improve.
Spinal cord injuries
The spine may support half our body weight but the spinal cord it houses is delicate and prone to injury. Spinal cord injuries can lead to partial or total paralysis.
Many spinal cord injury patients need to modify their homes and vehicles to accommodate mobility devices. It can make doing your job more difficult or even impossible. Additionally, the emotional and financial impact of spine injuries can extend to your loved ones who may need to care for you.
Limb amputations
Motor vehicle accidents that crush or severely damage limbs may require surgical amputation to save your life. This is more common with truck accidents. Losing a limb forces you to relearn basic tasks and adapt to prosthetics. You will also need:
- Extensive physical therapy
- Emotional counseling
- Career retraining
- Home modifications
- Regular prosthetic maintenance
While modern prosthetic technology continues to advance, the adjustment period still isn’t easy. Depending on your job, you may have to switch careers.
Drive carefully to avoid catastrophic accidents
Winter driving demands extra caution to prevent these life-altering injuries. Remember that Idaho’s comparative negligence rule means you must be less than 51% responsible for the accident to receive compensation. If not, you could face high medical costs without a way to recover damages. Drive carefully, maintain safe distances and always stay alert. Your future well-being depends on it.