His road to recovery was long. He had to learn to read and to walk all over again. Though he has recovered now, his life has been forever changed. He can never fully return to the person he was before the crash.
Since the accident, Jacob Smith has become a road safety advocate. He is hoping that by sharing his story, others will think twice before they take their eyes off the road or engage in other unsafe driving behaviors.
“Getting a license is one of the most exciting times of a teenager’s life,” Smith writes, “but new drivers must understand that driving is a privilege, not a right. I stand today as a TBI survivor because someone made the wrong decision on the road.”
Driver’s licenses aren’t without risk
While driving is a rite of passage for millions of teenagers across this country, it is not without risk. Teens often think they are invincible on the road, but the truth is that they are vulnerable to injuries that can change the rest of their lives. And in too many cases, irresponsible decisions made by other drivers can have a devastating impact on teens’ lives.
Jacob’s story is a cautionary tale of the sheer impact that traumatic brain injuries and other severe injuries can have on victims’ lives. It’s important for parents to educate their children about the dangers that come with going out on the road alone. And it’s just as important to hold negligent drivers accountable when they cause severe, disabling injuries.
The Seattle car accident lawyers at Aaron Engle Law have seen how seemingly insignificant actions can change the course of someone’s life forever. If you or your child were involved in an accident, contact us today. We offer a free consultation.