After a serious motor vehicle collision, you may be forced to contend with the loss of a limb. This disability could preclude any return to normalcy, requiring long-term care and an irreversible loss of independence. For many amputation survivors, recovery is a long and arduous process that involves physical pain and financial hardship.
Attorney Matt Lathrop fights to protect the rights of Nebraska car accident victims. Although we understand that no amount of money can compensate you for an amputation injury, our experienced team of legal professionals is committed to helping you receive the resources you need to begin rebuilding your life. We invite you to learn more by reading this article or contacting us to schedule your free consultation.
Car Accidents and Amputation Injuries
Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of accident-related amputations.
Any serious accident could lead to amputation, including:
- Multi-vehicle collisions
- Motorcycle crashes
- Semi-truck accidents
In some cases, the characteristics of a crash—the point and angle of impact and the types of vehicle involved—can result in a victim’s limbs or fingers being pinned or crushed beneath debris. Even if an appendage is not immediately lost, doctors sometimes recommend amputation if they believe that the risks of infection and other complications outweigh the likelihood of saving a limb.
The Most Common Types of Amputation Injuries
Amputation is a medical term that describes removing a limb, digit, or other appendage. In the context of motor vehicle collisions, amputation typically refers to either traumatic amputation or surgical amputation.
A traumatic amputation happens during or immediately after an accident. Traumatic amputations are not surgical procedures but a result of the traumatic forces involved in a motor vehicle collision. Surgical amputations, in contrast, are medical procedures performed to remove a damaged limb that cannot be repaired. Some surgical amputations are ordered if an appendage is infected, especially if the infection has caused tissue death.
Almost any part of the body could be amputated because of an accident. However, certain amputations are more frequently associated with motor vehicle collisions. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Above-the-knee and below-the-knee amputations
- Amputations of the arm
- Hand amputations, including the removal of an entire hand or the removal of individual fingers
- Foot amputations, including the removal of an entire foot or the removal of individual toes
The amputation of entire limbs can have a profound impact on a victim’s quality of life—but the loss of fingers, toes, and other appendages can also present significant mental health challenges and, in many cases, prevent survivors from returning to work and enjoying a wide range of recreational activities.
Fighting for Your Rights After Losing a Limb
Amputation injuries are almost always permanent. Although modern prosthetics, or artificial limbs, can help survivors reclaim their physical independence, amputation injuries are often life-long disabilities that require long-term treatment. Even with the right insurance policy, victims sometimes feel compelled to pay out-of-pocket for their own care.
In Nebraska, car crash victims who have suffered severe bodily injuries—including the loss of a limb, digit, or other appendage—have a legal right to file a claim for compensation against the person or party who caused their accident. A personal injury lawsuit provides an opportunity to recover damages including, but not limited to, the following:
- Existing and future medical expenses
- Current and anticipated care needs
- Physical rehabilitation
- Payment for prosthetics and other medical devices
- Reconstructive surgery
- Lost income from work
- Diminished earning potential
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
- Disfigurement
However, securing a fair settlement is rarely easy. Insurance adjusters are not always willing to negotiate in good faith and sometimes go to great lengths to protect their profit margins—even at the expense of a victim’s well-being.
The Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop, PC, LLO, is committed to helping accident survivors assert their rights to a fair recovery. Our team could help you or a loved one obtain the evidence needed to begin building a compelling case for compensation.