Amputations

Amputation is one of many serious injuries from trucking accidents. Traumatic injuries sustained in accidents are the number one cause of amputation in people under the age of 50 in the United States. Amputation can occur in two ways in a truck accident: during the accident itself or as a necessary medical procedure following an accident.

Accidental or traumatic amputation in trucking accidents

Accidental amputation can occur in trucking accidents where the accident itself causes the separation of a person's limb or extremity from their body. In such gruesome cases, the body part may be completely or partially severed from the body. In some cases, doctors are able to surgically re-attach amputated extremities, such as fingers and toes; but in other cases, a patient will lose the extremity.

Surgical amputation after trucking accidents

In other situations of catastrophic injury in car accidents, surgical amputation may be required. Traumatic physical injuries can cause considerable tissue death and blood vessel damage to parts of the body. In these situations, infection can threaten the health of the affected extremity and the rest of the body. Medical experts will often do their best to avoid amputation of the limb unless it is absolutely necessary. For example, they may consider donor tissue implants, repairing the damage, or replacing dead tissues or damaged blood vessels. Unfortunately, if these measures fail or the damage or infection is too severe, surgical amputation may be required to manage infection and save the person's life.

During a surgical amputation, doctors will make special considerations of the involved muscles, nerves, blood vessels, bones, and other soft tissues. They will determine how to carefully remove diseased or damaged tissues while preserving as much of the healthy tissues as possible.

While amputation is often life saving, the effects of this added trauma following a serious truck accident is undoubtedly devastating. Patients not only have to cope with serious injuries, but they have to learn to live with the loss of their limb. While this can pose significant physical, emotional, and other challenges, many patients do go on to live healthy and happy lives after amputation.

If you or a loved one has undergone amputation following a truck accident, you know all about the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of this devastating injury. It is important to know that you are not alone and do not have to suffer in vain. Please contact us to learn more about your legal rights and options. You may be able to receive compensation for your losses and recover damages in recognition for your non-material losses, such as emotional suffering.