Catastrophic Injury Statistics: What the Numbers Reveal About Life-Altering Accidents In the U.S.

Suffering any type of injury in an accident can be traumatic, but suffering a catastrophic injury can be truly life-altering. Unfortunately, these types of injuries occur every day throughout the United States.

Here’s an overview of catastrophic injuries and their most common causes.

What Is A Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that causes permanent or long-term physical, cognitive, or emotional disability. These forms of harm are generally serious enough to result in functional impairment, loss of limb or organ function, or disfigurement. 

Some common catastrophic injury examples include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Organ damage
• Amputations
• Severe burns
• Loss of hearing or sight
• Paralysis
• Permanent nerve damage

Most of these injuries require extensive surgical procedures, rehabilitative care, and ongoing medical support.

National Catastrophic Injury Statistics At A Glance

In 2023, there were 222,698 preventable injury-related deaths in the U.S.

Traumatic brain injuries are among the most prevalent catastrophic injuries, with one occurring every 15 seconds in the United States. Each year, more than 500,000 people are permanently disabled from traumatic brain injuries.

Spinal cord injuries are also common, with about 18,000 new cases occurring every year. Between 255,000 and 390,000 Americans live with a spinal cord injury.

Approximately 1,290 people are admitted to hospitals for extensive burns requiring ventilation and surgery annually; 9,340 are admitted with deep burns that require prolonged ventilation and extensive surgical procedures. 

Many severe injuries occur in the workplace and are particularly problematic within certain industries. Those who work in construction, transportation, warehousing, and any occupation that relies on heavy machinery face the most risk.

Additionally, men tend to be at more risk than women. According to the National Institutes of Health, 80% of individuals who suffer spinal cord injuries are men. 

Common Causes Of Catastrophic Injuries In The U.S.

Catastrophic injuries can occur in accidents, assaults, and recreational activities like sports. However, traffic accidents cause the most catastrophic injuries by far. Some of the most severe crashes are those that involve speeding vehicles. These collisions can cause cars to roll over, making brain and spinal cord injuries more likely. 

Head-on collisions are also particularly damaging because the impact force is doubled. The combined speed of both vehicles can easily result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Crashes involving commercial trucks can also be severe. Burns are more likely in these accidents, too, as tractor-trailers could be carrying flammable cargo. 

Falls are another frequent cause of catastrophic injuries. Slipping and falling can cause a person to hit their head or back, and falling from heights can result in all manner of devastating injuries, including paralysis. 

Another noteworthy cause of catastrophic injuries is workplace accidents. Those who work in the construction industry, for example, may be exposed to heavy machinery, toxic chemicals, dangerous heights, and other hazards.

Recreational activities, including impact and group sports, can open the door to severe injuries as well. Concussions are an imminent risk in football, for example, and there have been significant instances of back and spinal injuries during winter sports. 

The Long-Term Impact Of Life-Altering Injuries

Catastrophic injuries can cause significant hardship in the victim’s life. They may experience physical and emotional distress due to the pain of the injury and the inability to live life as they used to.

Such an injury can impact the victim’s finances, too. They’ll likely need ongoing medical care, surgeries, and rehabilitation. They may also require counseling because of the trauma they’ve suffered. What’s more, they may no longer have the degree of independence they once did, leaving them battling anxiety and depression.

A catastrophic injury can also mean not being able to work. The injured party may no longer be able to pursue a career they love or maintain themselves financially.

Catastrophic injuries reduce overall quality of life, bringing physical and emotional pain that can be difficult to get past. By taking legal action, injury victims stand to recover some of their various losses.

Why the Right Legal Support Matters After a Catastrophic Injury

You should never file a legal claim on your own if you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury. There’s simply too much at stake to risk any missteps.

The right legal representative can gather the evidence needed to establish liability for your losses. This is always complex, but it may be even more challenging if there are multiple parties involved, or conflicting accounts of what caused the injury. 

With dependable legal support, you can get help documenting your injuries and pursuing fair compensation. Your lawyer will calculate the full extent of your losses and seek a settlement or verdict that covers your expenses.

Trust the Compassionate Attorneys at Bachus & Schanker

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a catastrophic injury, the compassionate legal team at Bachus & Schanker can offer the guidance you need.

Attorney Kyle Bachus lived through a traumatic experience that claimed the life of a loved one, an event that inspired his new book “Unthinkable.” As such, he understands as well as anyone how vital it is to have the right support system. Bachus & Schanker offers services focused on client advocacy and compassionate representation.

You don’t have to face the uncertainty of the future alone. Contact us today to speak with a qualified lawyer, and plan your next steps.