How does everyone deal with injuries financially?

AKmotorider
Profile picture for user AKmotorider
Posts
104
Joined
6/23/2013
Location
Anchorage, AK US
AKmotorider
Edited Date/Time 6/21/2016 4:34pm
So here's a question for all the adults that work and also race motocross. Back when I was in high school, I was never worried about an injury affecting my financial integrity, for obvious reasons. But now, at 21, working and paying rent, a catastrophic injury from racing would prevent me from working and making money for a long time, especially since my job requires that I be on my feet all day.

This realization came to me today after I woke up yesterday morning in excruciating pain from my ankle. I cased a jump the day before at a race. I decided to go to work anyway after seeing a doctor who said it was just sprained, though we didn't do x rays. I worked my 5 hour shift at work and by the end of my shift I was nearly in tears because my ankle hurt so bad, even worse than when I had woken up.

Skip to today. I decided that instead of missing work I'd try and remedy the situation by purchasing a hands-free crutch (iWalk). So now I'm hobbling around on this thing, but at least I can stand without using my ankle. And it feels much better now that I'm not standing on it. Plus, I can now go to work.

But this made me think: what if I had suffered an injury that completely prevented me from working? How would I survive? I don't know the answer, so I'm asking the internet, in the hopes that someone may have been in this situation before.

Thanks!
|
iudi2006 6/21/2016 4:39pm
6/21/2016 4:39pm
Ahh, the classic transition from being a kid to becoming a man. I am the same age as you and have asked myself the same questions recently. You just need to have a good amount of money saved up(at least 5 grand) to pay your most basic survival bills(rent, food, cell phone) in case you ever get an injury. It's a risk we all take when going to the track.
Is the risk worth the reward? When we're injured we say hell no, but after a good day of riding I always tell myself its worth it.
kzizok
Profile picture for user kzizok
Posts
8423
Joined
10/19/2010
Location
AS US
kzizok 6/21/2016 4:47pm
6/21/2016 4:47pm Edited Date/Time 6/21/2016 4:48pm
I just wanna know how I can get in on a 5 hour shift!

Aflac!
luckyguy19
Profile picture for user luckyguy19
Posts
253
Joined
10/24/2011
Location
Albuquerque, NM US
luckyguy19 6/21/2016 4:47pm
6/21/2016 4:47pm
I've been dealing with a broken collar bone for 4 months, and have had 3 surgery's on it. If not for good health insurance and Aflac I'd be screwed. I'm lucky to only have missed 3 days of work so far. Make sure you have good insurance with deductibles you can afford. Aflac will not only help pay deductibles, it will also pay out when you can't work.
legswag
Profile picture for user legswag
Posts
107
Joined
5/23/2016
Location
Pomona, CA US
legswag 6/21/2016 4:49pm
6/21/2016 4:49pm
You should have tripped at work and claimed the injury through workmans comp and then u can stay home and recover playing video games.

The Shop

See All »
newmann
Profile picture for user newmann
Posts
24438
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
newmann 6/21/2016 4:57pm
6/21/2016 4:57pm
Welcome to the real world. Let's just say at age 28 I was at work for a week with a broken clavicle, SEVERELY bruised ribs, blown ACL and a broken toe. All on the right side so I could not use crutches. Surgery the following Tuesday after the swelling subsided, out of the hospital Thursday evening and back to work on Monday. It was kinda brutal, kinda sucked but it is what it is.
MxKing809
Profile picture for user MxKing809
Posts
6374
Joined
10/13/2013
Location
Big Sand Whoops, MI US
Fantasy
198th
MxKing809 6/21/2016 5:00pm
6/21/2016 5:00pm
AKmotorider wrote:
So here's a question for all the adults that work and also race motocross. Back when I was in high school, I was never worried about...
So here's a question for all the adults that work and also race motocross. Back when I was in high school, I was never worried about an injury affecting my financial integrity, for obvious reasons. But now, at 21, working and paying rent, a catastrophic injury from racing would prevent me from working and making money for a long time, especially since my job requires that I be on my feet all day.

This realization came to me today after I woke up yesterday morning in excruciating pain from my ankle. I cased a jump the day before at a race. I decided to go to work anyway after seeing a doctor who said it was just sprained, though we didn't do x rays. I worked my 5 hour shift at work and by the end of my shift I was nearly in tears because my ankle hurt so bad, even worse than when I had woken up.

Skip to today. I decided that instead of missing work I'd try and remedy the situation by purchasing a hands-free crutch (iWalk). So now I'm hobbling around on this thing, but at least I can stand without using my ankle. And it feels much better now that I'm not standing on it. Plus, I can now go to work.

But this made me think: what if I had suffered an injury that completely prevented me from working? How would I survive? I don't know the answer, so I'm asking the internet, in the hopes that someone may have been in this situation before.

Thanks!
Hahaha classic. I always tell people that "life kicked in" when they ask why I'm not at the track racing every weekend.

I practice ride mainly now. Low pressure, less chance to get hurt, and more bang for the buck. I ride more now than I ever have and feel safer doing it.
Lunch_Box
Profile picture for user Lunch_Box
Posts
238
Joined
6/20/2016
Location
Edmonton, Alberta CA
Lunch_Box 6/21/2016 5:07pm
6/21/2016 5:07pm
When I was younger (early 20's) I would always try and have 3 months worth of pay sitting in the bank. That way if something did happen I could get through until I was working again. Now being older I still keep a healthy bank account for rainy days, but my company has both short term and long term disability so it helps ease my mind when racing or playing sports.
inthebadboycorner 6/21/2016 5:07pm
6/21/2016 5:07pm
That why i no longer ride, i cant afford to lose my income now with three children.

Actually i am now of work with an achillies repair, originally 12 weeks off, although the wound wont heal so i am about to see a plastic surgeon to close it up.
This will draw it out to 14 ? Weeks with no income!
Plus now two sets of surgery fees.

Not much savings, my wife works part time.

I love, eat and dream motocross daily, although this is why i no longer ride!
colintrax
Profile picture for user colintrax
Posts
4695
Joined
8/25/2015
Location
Taylorsville, GA US
colintrax 6/21/2016 5:10pm
6/21/2016 5:10pm
I remember dealing with this, soon as I turned 16 my dream of going pro died. Can't bag groceries with a broke arm.

The biggest thing is to have some savings. I've never gotten hurt bad enough to miss more than a day of work, but that does mean working with minor injuries. Sprained ankles, torn shoulder, what have you. I've also learned solidworks, I could get a full time job doing it... but I'm not a fan of working on a computer. Brings in some extra cash though, and helps should I need to miss work.
The absolute best thing though, is what I'm trying to do right now. Get a job where you'll get paid even if you're hurt Wink

Aflac might be a good idea, but personally I'd rather rely on myself than a company who's more worried about profits than my bills.
ACBraap
Profile picture for user ACBraap
Posts
1166
Joined
2/10/2012
Location
Seattlish, WA US
Fantasy
590th
ACBraap 6/21/2016 5:20pm
6/21/2016 5:20pm
Looks to me like the standard is to start a gofundme when you run out of $.
Bruneval
Profile picture for user Bruneval
Posts
575
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Bristol GB
Bruneval 6/21/2016 5:26pm
6/21/2016 5:26pm
When I was your age I was in the Army which meant that I didn't have to worry financially as a lot of the typical outgoings were covered, so it didn't really matter if I got injured. I was young and fit and such things were of little concern. A couple of broken collarbones, some ribs and a compound ankle fracture (all from mx) and it was time for a new career.

You are never going to change who you are, and if you race, then it is inevitable that you will get injured at some point in your life. To offset that, get yourself financially healthy by setting what is a realistic amount for you to save each month and stick to it religiously. Just pretend that it doesn't exist, and make sure that it isn't too much that you need to dip into it constantly - this is key. After a year or two, you'll have enough to do something with in terms of investing, or simply leave there as your security blanket should you be out of work for whatever reason.
JWACK
Profile picture for user JWACK
Posts
2561
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
NM US
JWACK 6/21/2016 5:33pm
6/21/2016 5:33pm Edited Date/Time 6/21/2016 6:43pm
Get a union job or Aflac or both... I work for a bigger railroad and my union will pay about 60% of your normal wage if your injured or sick. Dont be the jonses and spend every penny of every dollar on stuff to meet the status quo. Live at 60 or 70% of what you make so that when a rainy day comes and it will, your ok.. I am returning from a broken foot that was nothing more than a fall over in a corner on a practice day in the desert.. Surgery and 10 weeks off later I'm sure Glad I didn't go out and buy the biggest house I could plus buy the new F350 I want.. Just don't live above your head so to speak.
sostoked
Profile picture for user sostoked
Posts
255
Joined
3/26/2015
Location
Twentynine Palms, CA US
sostoked 6/21/2016 5:38pm
6/21/2016 5:38pm
ACBraap wrote:
Looks to me like the standard is to start a gofundme when you run out of $.
Yes!

Gofundme - the answer to all your millennial related needs!
hillbilly
Profile picture for user hillbilly
Posts
9079
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Afton, TN US
hillbilly 6/21/2016 5:39pm
6/21/2016 5:39pm
Im self employed,land surveyor,went back to work right after surgeries,blood draining,carrying ice.

Rebroke my arm 3 times by falling in the mountains,its all fubar,crooked like a cedar limb.

I was out a few weeks after the neck break,to weak to walk.

If you're gonna be stupid you better be tuff.
stackman17
Profile picture for user stackman17
Posts
378
Joined
8/6/2011
Location
On a boat, TX US
stackman17 6/21/2016 5:49pm
6/21/2016 5:49pm
I am fortunate to work for a company with great benefits. I am in my 25th year and have about 8 months of personal time on the books to use. The most time I missed at once was 3 months with shattered ankle and broken tib/fib. My son and I both race and AFLAC is a like a second job for us. I always receive more each year than I pay in due to claims. I also have a medical spending account I put in each month. The full year amount is available on the first day of the new fiscal year. It usually covers all copays and close to my deductible.
joemoto883
Profile picture for user joemoto883
Posts
22
Joined
5/13/2015
Location
Delanson, NY US
joemoto883 6/21/2016 5:56pm
6/21/2016 5:56pm
1. save as much money as possible
2. find a job that has good health insurance and disability coverage
3. get Aflac, also accident insurance on your mortgage/ loans
4. live well below your means
I'm currently in that exact situation, been out of work since mid April with a broken hip/ 2 fingers/ 3 bones in my wrist.
Luckily due to good planning I will be just fine financially when i return to work in September.
Bruneval
Profile picture for user Bruneval
Posts
575
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Bristol GB
Bruneval 6/21/2016 5:58pm
6/21/2016 5:58pm
Solid advice, but...

Advising someone to buy stocks is a bit of a minefield unless they absolutely know what they're doing or are paying a professional to manage the investment on their behalf. Even then, there is no guarantee that more will come out than is put in, which more than likely be when you need to liquidate the investment. A safer option is to use an index tracker fund which bets on the market as a whole. Safer, and asually more suitable for the majority of people. Don't believe me, read this:

http://fortune.com/2016/05/11/warren-buffett-hedge-fund-bet/
Tbteam
Profile picture for user Tbteam
Posts
2863
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Ormond Beach, FL US
Tbteam 6/21/2016 6:21pm
6/21/2016 6:21pm
Get a government job. They don't even know when you don't show up. Or care, for that matter.

Pit Row

See All »
nascarnate326 6/21/2016 6:24pm
6/21/2016 6:24pm
have a spouse that makes enough money for you to live off Smile
inthebadboycorner 6/21/2016 6:25pm
6/21/2016 6:25pm
AKmotorider wrote:
So here's a question for all the adults that work and also race motocross. Back when I was in high school, I was never worried about...
So here's a question for all the adults that work and also race motocross. Back when I was in high school, I was never worried about an injury affecting my financial integrity, for obvious reasons. But now, at 21, working and paying rent, a catastrophic injury from racing would prevent me from working and making money for a long time, especially since my job requires that I be on my feet all day.

This realization came to me today after I woke up yesterday morning in excruciating pain from my ankle. I cased a jump the day before at a race. I decided to go to work anyway after seeing a doctor who said it was just sprained, though we didn't do x rays. I worked my 5 hour shift at work and by the end of my shift I was nearly in tears because my ankle hurt so bad, even worse than when I had woken up.

Skip to today. I decided that instead of missing work I'd try and remedy the situation by purchasing a hands-free crutch (iWalk). So now I'm hobbling around on this thing, but at least I can stand without using my ankle. And it feels much better now that I'm not standing on it. Plus, I can now go to work.

But this made me think: what if I had suffered an injury that completely prevented me from working? How would I survive? I don't know the answer, so I'm asking the internet, in the hopes that someone may have been in this situation before.

Thanks!
Laughing Laughing Laughing
newmann
Profile picture for user newmann
Posts
24438
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
newmann 6/21/2016 6:26pm
6/21/2016 6:26pm
Tbteam wrote:
Get a government job. They don't even know when you don't show up. Or care, for that matter.
I was just about to quote hillbilly and say "Best advice ever" and then you showed up. LMAO, you are on to something there! Laughing I know several people who fall into that category.
AS64
Profile picture for user AS64
Posts
1751
Joined
5/14/2012
Location
CA
AS64 6/21/2016 6:37pm
6/21/2016 6:37pm
6 months emergency reserve.
Sr_Vet_Rider 6/21/2016 6:39pm
6/21/2016 6:39pm
I was out with a broken back last year. Spent 6 months recovering and aim extremely lucky that California has disability insurance that I pay into. I am lucky enough to get the max, which is a little over $1100 a week. Enough to pay my mortgage and basic bills, along with eating and gas in my truck. I keep my life simple, no car payments and no debt, otherwise I could've been screwed.
Rdubs19
Profile picture for user Rdubs19
Posts
767
Joined
4/16/2014
Location
Little Rock, AR US
Rdubs19 6/21/2016 6:52pm
6/21/2016 6:52pm
Like most here, I took several years off from the sport to attend college and start a career. I started out not making much money out of college, about 30 grand in Arkansas, which is enough to get by for sure but not play much. I "could" have financed a bike and spent the money to ride and race, but it would have been a huge stretch, and I was compromised everywhere else too (old vehicle, no cable, barely saving, etc). I didn't buy a bike and get back into MX until I got a better job and could afford the risk. If you aren't in a position to have excess money as a cushion, then you're just going to have to risk it, frankly. Not every question has a pleasant answer I'm afraid. I know everyone is telling you to save save save, and that's great advice, but it's not exactly possible for everyone. So you may just have to take on some risk if it's worth it to you. Buy airtight disability insurance and get on a medical insurance plan at work with a low deductible so that when you need to visit the ER it's not such a huge hit.
One Last Comeback 6/21/2016 6:54pm
6/21/2016 6:54pm
The rules never change. Have good insurance. Have a job. Desk jobs are better for income recovery compared to physical labor, when you are busted up.

Nothing worse than not being able to work because of pain or injury. Not many roads to pursue after that. other than disability.

I broke a femur, rib, concussion one Saturday. Was working from home seven days later with a bottle of Percoset. (a job that required a keyboard).
Have a game plan and anything is possible. Just don't be caught unprepared.
Titan1
Profile picture for user Titan1
Posts
9409
Joined
2/3/2010
Location
Lehi, UT US
Titan1 6/21/2016 7:15pm
6/21/2016 7:15pm
Save save save save
Live below your income
Avoid debt like its poison (because it is...financial poison)
Get some disability insurance

It helps to have a desk job vs manual labor job.
Markopolo400
Profile picture for user Markopolo400
Posts
1426
Joined
7/24/2012
Location
St. Paul-ish, MN US
Markopolo400 6/21/2016 7:28pm
6/21/2016 7:28pm
I fly a desk for the most part as an engineer, so if I get banged up I can still click a mouse and type emails.
GeorgiePorgie 6/21/2016 7:35pm
6/21/2016 7:35pm Edited Date/Time 6/21/2016 7:40pm
First: Save 3 months salary in the savings account before you throw your leg over a dirtbike.

Then go riding. Once you get hurt. Assess our situation. I beg the doctor to allow me to work injured without restrictions. Had a broken foot. Worked on it after 3 weeks. Wasn't eligible for FMLA at the time.


Make sure you have health insurance.
Buy a supplement injury policy like Aflac.
Make sure your benefits at work have some type of FMLA benefit that pays Atleast 70% of your salary while you're injured and you'll be ok.


Once you get hurt. Back it down a notch for a few years so they don't can you. Yea....adulting sucks doesn't it ?


Orrrrrr.....like Stated by others above. Get a desk job. Ha. Got some IT friends who are always busted up and never miss a day of work in the cube farm!


If you break a wrist and it's not life threatening. Go to an urgent care not an ER. or see if your primary care doc will see you that day. It's worth asking. Could save you $2000+
UpTiTe 6/21/2016 7:47pm
6/21/2016 7:47pm
Health and disability insurance and savings. If you're racing without any of those three you're not smart. .
agn5009
Profile picture for user agn5009
Posts
6753
Joined
6/8/2012
Location
State College, PA US
agn5009 6/21/2016 8:06pm
6/21/2016 8:06pm
Like Uptite said, health and disability insurance and savings. Get those 3 things and you'll be okay. Don't have any of those 3 things and you're screwed. Just remember, racing is fun. Don't let it get in the way of the well being of you and your family.

Post a reply to: How does everyone deal with injuries financially?