Amputation is one of many severe injuries from trucking accidents. Traumatic injuries sustained in accidents are the number one cause of amputation in people under 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 can re-attach amputated extremities, such as fingers and toes, surgically; but in other cases, a patient will lose the extremity.
Surgical amputation after trucking accidents
Surgical amputation may be required in other situations of catastrophic injury in car accidents. Traumatic physical injuries can cause considerable tissue death and blood vessel damage to parts of the body. In these situations, the 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 essential. 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 the infection and save the person’s life.
During a surgical amputation, doctors will consider 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 are undoubtedly devastating. Patients have to cope with severe injuries and learn to live with the loss of their limbs. 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 this devastating injury’s physical, emotional, and financial consequences. 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 of your non-material losses, such as emotional suffering.