According to a study by the CDC, over 2.5 million people checked into the emergency room to receive medical treatment for car accident injuries in a recent year. Out of those 2.5 million hospital visits, roughly 200,000 patients required hospitalization to treat their injuries sustained from the accident. This study also revealed that the average cost of medical bills after these hospital visits was approximately $3,300 for the emergency room and $57,000 for hospitalization over the patient’s lifetime. The last thing anyone wants to think about after a serious car accident is medical bills, but unfortunately, this is a sad reality. Luckily, a trusted Albuquerque personal injury lawyer can take care of all of the legal work while you focus on what really matters, recovery.
What Kind of Damages Can Be Recovered?
After you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may have suffered serious injuries that require long-term medical attention in order for you to make a full recovery. Many don’t realize that medical expenses following a car accident can include costs such as alterations to your home, vehicle, or place of work to help accommodate for physical or cognitive disabilities. Generally, medical bills that you may incur after a car accident will include costs for things such as:
- Hospital bills
- ER bills
- Ambulance services
- Doctor’s office visits
- Mental health treatment
- Prescription medication
- Surgeries
- Therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Medical supplies
- Mobility equipment
How Much Will My Medical Bills Be?
While there may be no way to tell exactly how much your medical bills will be, chances are that they will be significant. The CDC also provides an age-based estimate of the total cost of car accidents, measured by medical expenses and lost productivity.
- 0 to 14 years old: $1.1 billion
- 15 to 29 years old: $6.5 billion
- 30 to 49 years old: $5 billion
- 50 to 69 years old: $3.8 billion
- 70 and older: $2 billion
Most Common Surgeries After a Car Accident
Surgery after an accident, whether it’s done on an inpatient or outpatient basis, is very expensive and requires a lengthy recovery time. These medical bills can quickly add up and without the ability to work while in the recovery process, many people can become overwhelmed, Some of the most common surgeries needed after car, truck, and motorcycle accidents include:
Knee Surgery
The knees are particularly vulnerable during even minor car accidents because of their position in the vehicle. You may need surgery to fix ligament injuries or broken bones. Common knee injuries include tears in ligaments such as the ACL, MCL, or LCL.
Back Surgery
Back surgery is one of the most common procedures needed following a car accident. Common surgeries include vertebroplasty, which is done to repair fractures of the bones, or a discectomy, which is a procedure to remove a herniated disc. What’s especially challenging about back surgery after an accident is that the recovery can take weeks or months. In some cases, back injuries can be permanent and restrict the victim from the activities and work they once were able to do.
Plastic Surgery
If you have burns, scars, or disfigurements from a car accident, you may need plastic surgery to repair those. As you probably could guess, plastic or cosmetic surgery is not cheap and also requires a long recovery process once completed.
Brain Surgery
In severe cases, someone with a traumatic brain injury may need surgery. For example, if someone hits their head during a car accident, it can lead to brain swelling or a build-up of fluid in the skull, which can be life-threatening.
It’s important to note that serious surgeries do not always go as planned. There may be complications during the procedure or the success of the surgery may not be likely. Understanding this is critical when receiving care and can protect you from unwanted outcomes. Always speak with your doctor in detail before undergoing any major surgery.
Contact An Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you need experienced legal representation on your side. Call Garcia Legal today and speak with our experienced New Mexico car accident lawyer. Reach out today and learn more about your rights and compensation options following your accident.
