If the brain injury survivor is one of the 48 percent of Americans that is covered by private insurance at the time of the accident, then he or she will have some coverage for their medical care. How much coverage he or she has will depend upon the insurance policy that the survivor holds.

One of the most helpful things the survivor’s loved ones can do immediately following the accident is to get the survivor’s financial affairs in order. That means tracking down and reading insurance policies, talking to employers about benefits, locating pertinent financial and legal papers, and getting a ballpark estimate as to how much the care of the survivor will cost.

At this point it’s important for the survivor and his or her loved ones to consider different sources of funding, in addition to health insurance. Additional funding sources might include automobile insurance, workman’s compensation, veteran benefits, legal settlements, social services, church or charity groups, scholarships, pensions, employment and disability benefits, social security benefits, and fund raisers.