Carole Townsend never made it to the concert.
It was supposed to be a rare night out with her husband—a chance to leave behind the routines of daily life, laugh together, and simply enjoy each other’s company. Fifteen minutes from the venue, their car was suddenly hit by another driver in Gwinnett County. In a heartbeat, everything changed.
Marc, her husband, walked away with minor injuries. Carole wasn’t so lucky. The impact left her with both legs broken in multiple places, shattered kneecaps, broken ribs, and a broken hand. She would endure four grueling surgeries and spend an entire month in the hospital. At 64 years old, she now faces the devastating reality of being bedridden, unable to stand for at least three months.
But the struggle didn’t end at the hospital doors. Despite carrying both health and auto insurance, Carole was sent home without the care doctors insist she needs. No visiting nurse. No physical therapy. No medical transport. No coverage for essential home modifications to help her navigate daily life.
Georgia law treats injuries from motor vehicle accidents differently from other traumatic injuries, leaving survivors like Carole to shoulder the costs themselves. If she had fallen at home, every bit of rehab and recovery support would have been covered. But because the injury happened in a car accident, the system offers almost no help.
“It’s a harsh reality,” Carole says, her voice steady but heavy with frustration. “People just don’t realize how awful the laws are when it comes to motor vehicle accidents… it feels intentional.” 💔
Her fight is bigger than her own recovery. Carole is speaking out not just for herself, but for every crash survivor who may face the same battle, left to navigate physical, emotional, and financial hardship alone.
It’s a story that exposes a gap in the system—a cruel distinction between accidents that happen inside the home and those that happen on the road. Carole’s journey is far from over. Every day brings new challenges, but she hopes her voice will shed light on an issue many Georgians won’t understand until they’re in her shoes.
Because sometimes, surviving the crash is just the first battle. The fight for the care you need, and the dignity you deserve, can be even harder.