People who are involved in car wrecks can suffer from many different injuries — and some are catastrophic. A traumatic amputation is one of the more serious injuries you can face when you’re involved in a crash.
A traumatic amputation means that a part of the body, usually a limb, is severed due to external factors. In the case of a car crash, the limb might become trapped between two objects and crushed so severely that it severs.
Types of amputations and their effects
There are two types of amputations that are possible – complete or partial. A complete amputation means that there aren’t any tissues connected between the stump and the severed body part. Some tissues remain connected in a partial amputation.
All amputations can cause severe pain and bleeding. Some people will go into shock. An amputation always requires medical care. In some cases, doctors can reattach the severed body part, but this depends on the condition of the injury itself.
The long road to recovery after an amputation
Even when a body part is reattached, the victim of a traumatic amputation will likely have a long road to recovery. They may not ever be able to use it as they did before the injury. Whether there’s a reattachment or not, the person will likely need considerable medical care and physical therapy. This may mean taking off work or having to find a new occupation.
Anyone who suffers a traumatic amputation should ensure they get appropriate medical care — and that means that they may need to pursue a claim for compensation if the injury was the result of another person’s negligence. If you suffered an amputation in a wreck or your loved one was injured, it may be time to speak to an attorney.