For many people, spinal cord injuries are the worst traumatic injury possible. Many people fear the idea of losing motor control and sensation. When car crashes produce spinal cord injuries, people expect medical expenses. Especially if the injured party works in a blue-collar profession, people also usually anticipate a reduction in income after a spinal cord injury.
What they may not consider as they evaluate their options for compensation is the likelihood that they may also require accessibility accommodations. People who rely on wheelchairs need ramps to enter buildings. They need vehicles that are accessible to wheelchairs or that they can operate using only their hands. Such costs are often overlooked but can significantly increase the financial pressure on people with spinal cord injuries.
Housing accommodations can be expensive
Retrofitting an existing home to accommodate wheelchair use is expensive. Simply installing a ramp outside of the home can cost thousands of dollars. A ramp is only the beginning of the adjustments needed.
People may have to remodel the interior to create a bedroom on the first floor. They may need to completely overhaul the design of the existing bathroom. Even doorways and hallways may require modifications so that the person using a wheelchair can safely and effectively navigate the space.
In some cases, landlords may have to cover those expenses. Those who own their own homes, however, generally have to pay for those accessibility modifications out of pocket.
Accessible vehicles are quite costly
Obtaining a vehicle that is safe to operate or ride in as a wheelchair user is also quite expensive. Costs to modify a vehicle to be wheelchair accessible can range from $16,000 to $80,000. Vehicles manufactured for wheelchair access are similarly quite costly.
Converted vans can range from $52,000 to more than $80,000. Used options often start at $25,000 or more. Unlike housing modifications, which can be a one-time expense, vehicle expenses may recur every few decades, if not more frequently.
People seeking compensation after sustaining a spinal cord injury in a car crash may need help calculating their losses and pushing for a fair outcome. Identifying sources of potential financial strain may make it easier for people to pursue an appropriate amount of compensation after a crash.