Catastrophic injuries from motor vehicle accidents can drastically change a person’s career and earning potential. These types of injuries often cause permanent physical or mental impairments.
Loss of ability to work in the same job
Severe injuries can make it impossible to keep doing the same kind of work. Jobs that require physical strength, like construction or factory work, might no longer be possible. Even jobs that don’t seem physically demanding can be hard to return to. The injury could cause chronic pain or affect a person’s mental abilities.
Lower earning potential
After a catastrophic injury, many people can only work part-time or in lower-paying jobs. This loss of income can put serious financial strain on individuals and their families. Even more so if they were the main source of income. While some employers can offer accommodations, certain jobs might be out of reach because of the limitations caused by the injury.
Need for retraining or new skills
In some cases, injured people may need to learn new skills or go through vocational rehabilitation to switch careers. While these programs can help people get back to work, they often take time and come with added costs. It can take months or even years to retrain for a new job, which leads to additional income loss during that period.
Fewer career opportunities in the future
Catastrophic injuries not only affect a person’s ability to work immediately after the accident, but they can also limit future career growth. Planning for these challenges can help people deal with their recovery options over time.