In the immediate aftermath of a car crash, most people are acutely aware of the short-term impact the collision will have on their job. After all, quite a few crashes occur during people’s daily commutes.
You may have to call your boss and tell them you’re going to be late or that you won’t come in at all today. You could also have issues with transportation to and from your job while you wait for repairs to your vehicle or an approved insurance claim if you need to buy a new one.
While those short-term consequences are noteworthy, major injuries from car crashes can also have a long-term impact on your ability to do your job and your overall career trajectory.
Significant injuries may prevent you from working for the foreseeable future
When you get hurt in a car crash, you may not be able to go back to your job immediately. If you perform physical labor, for example, a broken bone or even a soft tissue injury might result in weeks or months of not being able to work.
If you perform skilled and educated work, injuries might prevent you from going into the office or they could affect your ability to continue the same career. Traumatic brain injuries, for example, could alter the way that you process and store information. They could change your personality or even have effects on your balance and motor function. Spinal cord injuries, severe broken bones and amputations could also affect your future work options.
Although employers generally have an obligation to try to accommodate workers with injuries and other disabilities, if the result of the car crash includes medical conditions that eliminate your ability to do the job functions for which they hired you, your employer may not be able to help you return to work.
Consider the long-term implications before accepting insurance offers
The insurance company for the person who caused the crash may offer you a settlement after you file a claim. Before you sign paperwork or cash the check, you need to talk to your doctor and your employer to determine what kind of long-term impact your injuries may have on your job.
If you can’t return to work or if you will have to take work in a lower-paying field because of your injuries, you may need to request a higher settlement amount to offset the impact on your earning potential. Speaking to an attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve could be beneficial.