Experiencing a high-speed automobile crash can be one of the most frightening and deadly experiences in a person’s lifetime. While today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs are designed with much more safety than motor vehicles of the past, at interstate and beltway speeds, these safety features are more than just handy. They are essential to surviving a North Carolina collision. Sometimes, the violent nature of a North Carolina automobile collision — whether due to excessive speed or other aggravating circumstances — can result in the immediate loss of a limb. In other instances, a car accident victim can lose an arm or leg to amputation to save their life. Whatever the cause, amputation is hardly ever a first choice when it comes to treating injured patients.
Amputation Definition
Amputation is the removal of an injured or deceased body part, either as a complication due to a medical condition, such as diabetes or as a traumatic amputation due to a catastrophic injury. In many high-speed automobile and motorcycle collisions, the force exerted on the occupants’ torso and limbs may be such that specific connective tissues are damaged beyond repair.
Major Injuries & Loss of Limbs
In personal injury cases, amputation refers to the loss of a limb and is typically the result of trauma. For instance, a person’s leg may be irreparably damaged or severed in a motorcycle or automobile collision. Traumatic amputations create the immediate danger of death from blood loss.
In some cases of traumatic amputation, it is possible to reattach the severed body part if it has been properly preserved and medical intervention occurs quickly. Reattached limbs may not regain full function, however.
Surgical amputation for limbs that have been damaged beyond repair may take place at certain locations on the body, such as above or below the elbow, knee, wrist, or ankle. The nature of the amputation and where it occurs dictates whether a prosthesis is feasible and how effective it will be.
Trauma-Related Amputations
People who have experienced an amputation will often suffer psychological injuries for years afterward. Those who have had a body part amputated will also suffer severe physical pain for an extended period. One phenomenon that may occur is the “phantom limb syndrome.” With this syndrome, a person will feel pain in the amputated limb even though it is no longer there.
Automobile collisions causing amputation not only create physical and psychological injuries but may prevent or limit the ability of injured victims to participate in many enjoyable activities they enjoyed before (“loss of enjoyment of life”). While many amputees are still able to participate in sports and activities with accommodations, the adjustment is difficult and takes time.
Regarding automobile and trucking-related roadway accidents, the most common type of amputation is the loss of an arm or leg. Sometimes, a physician can save part of a limb by removing only the portion below the knee or elbow.
Either way, losing a limb is a frightening and life-alerting experience. Those who are victims of automobile-related amputations need to consider if they should file a claim against the responsible parties.
Representation for Loss of Limbs
If you have suffered an amputation due to another person’s negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you. Our experienced injury lawyers can help you pursue the compensation you deserve from the at-fault party.
As auto accident lawyers, we know that medical science can only go so far in saving a person’s life. In some cases, amputation is a lifesaving measure. The decision to amputate may save a life, but it also changes a person’s life, usually forever.
We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency basis. That means you do not pay any attorneys’ fee unless and until we make a recovery on your behalf. Contact us at (919) 526-0450 or our contact page. The firm represents clients across the Carolinas from our Charlotte, Raleigh, and Fayetteville offices.
