Car crashes can cause severe traumatic injuries for the vehicles’ occupants. Both cutting and crushing injuries could potentially lead to an amputation or the loss of a limb. In extreme cases, a limb could wind up severed during the collision. Other times, it suffered such severe trauma during the wreck that medical professionals have no choice but to remove it.
After an amputation due to a car crash, a person will likely have ongoing medical costs and diminished income opportunities. They may need to file an insurance claim or possibly even a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
TRAUMATIC INJURIES ARE THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF AMPUTATIONS
Every year, approximately 185,000 Americans require amputations. Over 80% of those amputations are due to vascular disease. However, the second leading cause is traumatic injury. Some traumatic amputations happen at work, but car crashes are also a top contributor as well.
There may be a bigger amputation risk in collisions involving particularly small vehicles or accidents between passenger vehicles and larger and heavier commercial vehicles.
Traumatic injuries that result in amputations involve the upper extremities in 70% of cases. Other individuals may suffer an amputation of their leg or foot after an injury.
THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF AN AMPUTATION
The surgical procedure of amputating a damaged body part can cost tens of thousands of dollars, as can the medical care required after amputation. Individuals may require occupational and physical therapy along with medication to help control phantom pain after limb loss. Others may require prosthetics, which can also cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Exploring your options for pursuing compensation after a crash-related amputation can help cover the cost of that care.
