How financially secure are you when tragedy strikes? It can be tough to get out of a tight spot if you don't start planning now.

No one likes to think about tragedy or disaster striking their family, but if you don't have a safety net in place, your finances can quickly get out of control. The cost of health care, medical expenses, insurance payments and long-term care can make it almost impossible to recover from, financially.

Caring for a loved one after an accident can cost upwards of $100,000, more if they need long-term care (more than six months). If your loved one is the major breadwinner, this can put a major dent in your investments and savings. Unfortunately, many people find that they have to sell everything they own in order to pay for health care costs, and this includes their home. Imagine having to sell your biggest asset just to cover medical bills. Don't think this can't happen to you – because it can. In fact, it happens to hundreds of thousands of people each year in the U.S.

Statistics show that on average, there are about 6 million car crashes each year in the U.S. and 10 percent of those cause permanent disabilities among victims.

Luckily, there are safeguards you can take so you don't become financially destroyed should tragedy strike. It may be extremely difficult, but it's crucial to soldier on after a serious accident and stay on top of your money management efforts. Here are a few ways to make sure you and your family are protected:

Hire a lawyer after an accident