There are many different types of severe injuries possible after a Tennessee car crash. Some people develop soft tissue injuries, like whiplash, while others may end up losing a body part. There are a host of injuries that are not minor but are also not necessarily catastrophic on their own.
Broken bones or fractures usually fall into this category. People recognize that they need medical care, but they may not understand exactly how expensive a broken bone can eventually become. Some people only realize after accepting a low insurance settlement that the total financial impact of the crash is far greater than they initially anticipated. Why might a fracture cost more than what insurance will cover after a Tennessee crash?
Fractures inspire a variety of expenses
Drivers in Tennessee technically only need to have $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage if they cause a crash where one person gets hurt. Although that may seem like plenty of coverage for an injury like a fracture, the costs could be higher than people expect.
For example, some broken bones on their own cost far more to treat than others. A compound fracture where the bone pushes through the skin or a spiral fracture where it breaks into many pieces will likely require surgery. Initial treatment for such fractures could carry price tags beyond what insurance will cover. When also considering pain management and physical therapy after someone recuperates, the total cost for a broken bone could be well beyond the maximum amount allowed by insurance.
Additionally, people have to consider how a fracture will affect their income. Some people will need to take weeks away from their jobs and will lose out on income and employment opportunities because of a broken bone. In severe cases, people might even end up with long-term health issues caused by broken bones. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) sometimes develops in those who experience a trauma to their musculoskeletal system and can forever limit someone’s earning potential.
Although people are often eager to finish the insurance claims process as quickly as possible after a collision, it is often necessary to take the time to look at the long-term consequences of an injury before accepting a settlement or agreeing not to hold the other driver accountable for the financial impact of a wreck. Carefully quantifying the economic consequences of a collision can be of the utmost importance for those hoping to avoid long-term financial disruptions caused by a Tennessee crash.
