Founding Partner
Some car accidents leave behind more than a dented bumper or sore back. They leave lives permanently altered—families shaken, futures changed. If you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic injury in a crash, you already know: recovery isn’t just physical. It’s emotional. It’s financial. It’s about learning to live with a new reality.
While no amount of money can undo what happened, the law does give you the right to seek justice and compensation for the full extent of your losses.
What Makes an Injury “Catastrophic”?
Not every injury is considered catastrophic in a legal sense. These cases typically involve injuries so severe that they permanently impact a person’s ability to function, work, or live independently.
Common catastrophic injuries after Maryland car accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in partial or complete paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that impair cognitive or motor function
- Severe burns that cause disfigurement or require skin grafts
- Multiple fractures or orthopedic trauma
- Limb loss or amputation
- Internal organ damage requiring surgical intervention
- Permanent loss of vision or hearing
These injuries often require lifelong medical care, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and significant adjustments to everyday life. They may also force families to become full-time caregivers.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Car Accidents
Any car accident can result in serious harm, but certain types of crashes are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries, including:
- High-speed collisions on highways
- T-bone accidents at intersections
- Head-on collisions on rural or two-lane roads
- Truck or commercial vehicle crashes involving smaller cars
- Rollover accidents and vehicle ejections
- Accidents involving pedestrians or motorcyclists
In most cases, catastrophic injuries are caused by preventable negligence—distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, or failing to yield. When someone else’s carelessness turns into a life-changing injury, Maryland law gives you the right to take action.
Legal Options After a Catastrophic Car Accident
After a catastrophic crash, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by medical bills, insurance calls, and uncertainty. But you don’t have to face it alone—and you shouldn’t have to guess at your rights.
As the injured person or a family member, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim, depending on the circumstances. These claims allow you to seek compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Long-term care or rehabilitation
- Modifications to your home or vehicle
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If the crash was fatal, surviving family members may also seek compensation for funeral costs and the loss of companionship and support.
Legal Help for Catastrophic Injury Victims
The road to recovery after a catastrophic car accident isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be walked alone. Whether you’re facing paralysis, brain trauma, or another life-changing injury, we’re here to help you move forward with dignity, support, and strength.
Let McGowan & Cecil fight for what you deserve. We serve clients throughout Laurel and across Maryland, and we’re ready to fight for your future. Call today for a free consultation. You won’t pay anything unless we win your case.