The impact of a motor vehicle crash can lead to serious injuries for the occupants. One injury that’s possible is the traumatic amputation. This occurs when one part of the body is forcibly removed, either fully or partially, from the rest of the body.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of traumatic amputations. They account for approximately 51% of these injuries. The next leading causes are industrial and agricultural accidents. It’s estimated that 15 to 40 year-old males account for around 80% of the victims.
Types of traumatic amputations
Traumatic amputations are classified as either complete or partial. A complete injury means that the body part is fully removed from the body. A partial amputation occurs when there is still soft tissue connecting the body part with the body.
Traumatic amputations are also classified according to the type of damage done at the site. An avulsion amputation occurs when there is an overstretching and tearing of tissues. A crush amputation is also associated with extreme damage to the tissues. Neither of these types of amputations has a high success with reattachment. Conversely, a “guillotine” amputation has clean cuts and minimal tissue damage, so it’s associated with a higher success rate for reattachment.
Victims who have suffered amputations need emergency medical care because of the chance of shock, extreme blood loss and infection. Long-term care is often necessary, and this can be financially devastating. These victims may be able to get compensation from the negligent party who caused the injury, but they must do so within the time allowed by the statute of limitations. Seeking experienced legal guidance as early as possible can be crucial to getting fair compensation.