If you get seriously hurt in an accident, your entire life could take an unexpected turn. That’s especially true if your injury affects a vital part of your body, such as the spine or brain.

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In such a case, life will never be the same as it was before the accident. Which can leave you confused, angered, and unmotivated to continue on with life.

Types of Life-Changing Injuries

While it’s practically impossible to draw a complete list of life-changing injuries, here are some of the most common types that people suffer from. These injuries will not only change your daily routine, but they may also disrupt the lives of your family members:

Brain Injury

An injury to the head can result in a traumatic brain injury and even permanent brain damage. The results could be life shattering. Mild injuries can result in little changes in life, while serious injuries could leave the victim incapacitated. Such injuries may also leave you unable to live independently requiring a full-time caregiver for the rest of your life. Additionally, traumatic injuries could result in mental illnesses.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries vary in degree depending on the pressure exerted on it during the accident. Nonetheless, some impacts necessitate life-altering changes by the victim. For instance, an injury on the back may exert pressure on the spine and cause bruising. In serious cases, a spine injury could result in quadriplegia or paraplegia, leaving the victim requiring a life long caregiver. Their mobility is also limited to the assistance of special equipment.

Oxygen Deprivation

One of the most dangerous results of oxygen deprivation is the effects it has on brain cells.

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The brain requires oxygen to function properly, and it can sustain permanent damage if the supply is cut off for a significant period of time. In severe cases, this will result in decreased motor control, cognitive disturbances, cessation of brain reflexes, seizures, and brain death. The heart rate will also increase, while the skin might appear bluish (cyanosis).

Loss Of Limbs

Depending on which limb is injured, the impact of such an injury will vary. While the loss of a finger may not have a huge effect on your daily routine, losing both arms would change your life forever

Burns, Scalds and Scars

Most burns normally happen at home, but serious burns from accidents can drastically change your life, leaving scarring, nerve damage, and long-term pain. Many victims suffer from depression and loss of confidence due to the scars, and some may require long-term psychological and emotional support services.

Burns are classified into four categories:

First Degree Burns – These are superficial burns that only damage the skin’s top layer (the epidermis). These burns result in pain and skin reddening, but their long-term effects are mild.

Second Degree Burns – These burns damage the first two layers of your skin (the epidermis and part of the dermis). They cause reddening of the burn site, swelling, and pain. You can expect the burn to heal in a few weeks, but it will most likely leave a scar.

Third Degree Burns – These are deep partial burns that damage the skin’s first layer (epidermis), the second layer (dermis) and the flesh beneath your skin. These burns may also damage the tendons and bones, affecting the nerve endings. The burn site will appear white, hard, and dry, leaving a scar after healing.

Fourth Degree Burns – These are the most serious burns that you can sustain on your skin. They affect all layers of your skin and the muscles beneath it, as well as bones. The burn site is often black, and the victim may have to lose the burnt part.

Serious burns require the attention of a professional medical practitioner, and may result in skin grafts and cosmetic surgery. Nonetheless, skin grafts may not be possible with some fourth-degree burns.

Sight Loss

Whether it’s partial or total blindness, loss of sight causes huge life-changing effects. Aside from the psychological impact of the injury, you may need to make several adjustments, like rehabilitation, use of assistive equipment, and learning additional skills to improve your quality of life.

Claiming Compensation

While no amount of money can restore your old life, you can seek compensation from the responsible parties. Due to their nature, life-changing injuries sometimes command huge amounts in compensation, sometimes into millions of dollars.

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That means it’s important to consult a personal injury lawyer with enough experience to handle such claims. However, the claims must be made within three years of the event, so it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.