The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation reports that car accidents and other transportation injuries result in approximately 27% of traumatic amputations. In the United States, there are 30,000 to 40,000 new injury-related amputations each year, many of them resulting from car accidents.
Bobby Jones Law explains amputation injuries from car accidents and how to claim your compensation.
What is it called when you lose a limb in an accident?
Losing a limb in an accident is called traumatic amputation. It may affect any extremity including a leg, arm, hand, foot, finger, or toe.
Common Causes of Amputations in Car Accidents
Crushing injury
A limb may be amputated because it is crushed. The limb may become stuck under the vehicle or another heavy object. Extreme pressure may be applied to the limb, cutting off blood flow and killing healthy tissue.
Severed limb
Sharp metal or other objects may cut a limb, permanently detaching it from the body. The limb may be severed. The force of impact, how sharp the object is, direction of force, and the body part affected may all factor into whether a car accident results in amputation by severing.
Infection
Amputation may become necessary following a car accident because of infection. A cut may allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, and amputation may be necessary to prevent infection from spreading.
Blood flow disruption
If car accident injuries damage blood vessels, limbs may not receive the necessary nutrients.
The result may be tissue death and the need for amputation. Penetrating injury is a leading cause of vascular damage from a car accident.
What is the cause of amputation from car accidents?
According to one study, speed at impact, and not rollovers, is the leading factor in determining whether a car accident will result in amputation.
Physical and Emotional Impact of Losing a Limb
The physical impact of losing a limb varies depending on the limb or limbs affected. A person may rely on prosthetics, wheelchairs, or adaptive devices for the rest of their life. These devices may be customized, and they may need adjustments and replacements.
Significant physical therapy may be required as the person rehabilitates their daily activity. They may need to modify their home or vehicle to increase independence. They may rely on help from others, especially in the short-term following the amputation. In some cases, the person may not be able to continue working in the same capacity.
The emotional impact of losing a limb may include depression, anxiety, Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The victim may experience significant emotional anguish because of the disruption in mobility and may experience grief.
Emotional losses may be compensated as part of a claim for compensation along with other damages associated with amputation from a catastrophic car accident.
Financial Impact of Losing a Limb
Car accident amputation is not only physically and emotionally harmful, but there is also a financial impact. The victim may have costs from the following:
- Emergency medical bills
- Surgery
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy
- Prosthetic and mobility devices
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Personal support, nursing care
- Lost income and career
- Property damage, including vehicle damage
Rehabilitation and Prosthetics After an Amputation
Rehabilitation following traumatic injury can significantly improve quality of life. Prosthetics are a common rehabilitative measure. In addition, therapy can improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. A person can learn new ways to complete tasks, including addressing fine motor control and daily personal needs.
Treatment should address the potential for complications, including blood clots, infection, and loss of strength and muscle tone. Mental health care is an important part of any treatment plan following a severed limb.
Inpatient rehabilitation may be appropriate. One study found a notable link between inpatient rehabilitation and long-term outcomes following traumatic amputation.
How To Seek Compensation for Amputation
Seeking compensation for amputation involves:
- Proving liability for the accident—Who is at fault?
- Showing the causation of injuries—Did the car accident result in amputation?
- Proving damages—How is the victim affected, financially, physically, and emotionally?
An amputation injury is a permanent loss. Any loss of limb, even a finger or toe, is a life-changing loss. The compensation that a person receives should reflect the harm.
The victim shouldn’t rush too quickly into a settlement for the accident. The insurance company may be hoping for a fast settlement, minimizing the extent of your suffering. However, you should fully explore the long-term impact of the injury, including financial losses, medical needs, and personal suffering. Lifestyle changes can be compensated as non-economic damages.
In cases of traumatic amputation, a person’s life may drastically change. Seeking compensation involves thoroughly identifying long-term impact and documenting it with medical records, experts, and factual witnesses.
Navigating the Legal Process for Catastrophic Injury Claims
Most amputation injuries are catastrophic. They change the life of the victim. The compensation you receive may be a significant help in the years ahead. Important issues in navigating the legal process include the following:
- Identifying insurance policies that may apply
- Determining coverage when there are multiple insurance policies
- Taking the needed steps to document the injury
- Including future damages
- Claiming fair compensation for career loss, personal care needs, and replacement household services
- Negotiating compensation when the insurance company doesn’t want to pay
- Responding to claims of comparative negligence
- Securing the necessary medical experts and following legal procedure to admit testimony
- Settlement negotiations or trial
Non-economic damages may be significant in any case involving amputation.
At Bobby Jones Law, we aggressively pursue the interests of our clients. Preparation of a claim involving traumatic injury must be thorough. You can have a lawyer take care of your case and fight for your compensation.
Contact an Experienced Greenville Car Accident Lawyer
Have you or a loved one suffered an amputation resulting from a catastrophic car accident? Contact Bobby Jones Law. You can have an experienced Greenville car accident lawyer represent you. Call or message our law firm to get help now. We’re taking new cases now.
