According to the Amputee Coalition, there are currently around 2 million people in the United States who have undergone an amputation.
Car accidents are also the leading cause of traumatic amputations, which should not be surprising. Car accidents, particularly at high speeds, can generate tremendous force, and motorists are badly injured in these collisions.
If you have suffered a bad car injury, you need to be worried about amputation. In the post below, we will walk you through what you need to know.
Why Limbs are Amputated
Some car accidents are so horrific that limbs might be torn off the body. However, this is rare. Instead, motorists suffer an amputation for the following reasons:
- Poor circulation.
Damage to the soft tissue and bones can cut arteries or otherwise restrict the flow of blood to the limb. After a certain amount of time, the tissue in the limb begins to die and an amputation becomes unavoidable. - Infection. A limb can become infected, especially in a hospital. Many infections are circulating in hospitals that are resistant to antibiotics. Sometimes, an amputation is the only way to prevent the spread of infection.
- Tissue damage. Some limbs might be mangled beyond repair. An amputation is the only sensible method of dealing with the injury.
Limb amputation is not taken lightly. Instead, it is often only the last option.
Complications Arising from Car Accident Amputations
Many people struggle after a car accident amputation. As experienced Yakima attorneys, we have seen the following complications:
- Infection. Removing the limb can also lead to an infection, which might spread to the rest of the body.
- Muscle weakness. After an amputation, a person might become immobile. For example, losing a leg could land someone in a wheelchair. Unused muscles naturally atrophy after a while.
- Depression and other mental health issues. Losing a limb is a traumatic experience. Many amputees struggle with body image and develop depression, anxiety, embarrassment, or anger.
- Phantom limb. Over half of all amputees can experience this phenomenon. The amputee feels discomfort in the part of the body that was amputated.
Many amputees need mental health counseling, antidepressants, or other prescription drugs to help manage the discomfort of losing a limb. Rehabilitation can help an amputee learn new ways of performing everyday tasks.
Many amputees will have a prosthetic made, allowing them to walk again or lift objects. Prosthetics take time to adjust to and can cause pain at the attachment site. Nevertheless, a quality prosthetic often allows an amputee to regain his or her independence following a car accident.
Compensation for Amputation
If you lost a limb in a car accident, you should seek compensation from the motorist responsible for the crash. Washington car accident victims can receive money for past, present, and future medical care, as well as for lost income or reduced wages.
Contact Kapuza Lighty today. Our Yakima car accident attorneys are available to discuss your case with you, if you call or send us an online message. Don’t let amputation prevent you from returning to your old life. Call us today.
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