Truck accidents regularly cause severe and fatal injuries. In some cases, the force of the crash leads to crushing and other impacts that cause an amputation of a limb. An amputation injury is one of the most serious disabilities a person can face.
It changes nearly every aspect of a victim’s life. Beyond the immediate physical pain, survivors often face extensive medical treatment and difficulty returning to work. Likewise, these individuals may face severe emotional distress due to the loss of a limb.
If a truck accident caused you to lose a limb, Illinois law may allow you to pursue compensation from the truck driver, trucking company, or other parties. Contact our Aurora truck accident attorneys to file a claim today. Schedule your free consultation.
What Is a Traumatic Amputation Injury?
A traumatic amputation occurs when a limb or body part is severed during a serious accident or must be surgically removed because the damage is too severe to repair. The force generated by a truck accident can crush bones or destroy tissue/blood vessels, making amputation medically necessary.
Even when surgeons are able to stabilize the injury, some victims later require surgical amputation to prevent infection or other life-threatening complications.
Amputation injuries often trigger many long-term physical and emotional challenges, including:
- Chronic pain and nerve damage
- Phantom limb pain or sensation
- Limited mobility and loss of independence
- The need for prosthetic devices and adaptive equipment
- Surgical procedures
- Infection
- Complications during recovery
- Emotional trauma or PTSD
- Difficulty returning to work or previous activities
Recovering from an amputation often requires extensive physical therapy and ongoing medical care. Many victims must adapt to an entirely new way of living and working; some individuals are never able to return to work in the same capacity as they had before the accident.
Why Truck Accidents Often Cause Amputations
Truck accidents are more likely to result in catastrophic injuries because of the massive size and weight of commercial vehicles. The crushing forces involved in these crashes often impact the arms, legs, hands, or feet.
Several types of truck accidents are particularly associated with amputation injuries, including:
- Underride accidents
- Crush collision
- Rollover crashes
- Jackknife accidents
- High-speed highway collisions
- Pedestrian or bicycle accidents involving large trucks
- Cargo spills or debris crashes that trap or crush victims
In each of these collisions, victims may suffer severe limb damage from crushed bones and torn muscles. Emergency medical teams sometimes must perform life-saving amputations at the scene or shortly after the crash to stop blood loss.
What Compensation Can I Recover for an Amputation After a Truck Accident?
Losing a limb in a truck accident can result in tremendous financial and personal losses. Fortunately, Illinois law allows victims to pursue compensation if a truck driver or a trucking company’s negligence caused the crash.
If you experienced an amputation during or after a crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Prosthetic limbs and adaptive devices
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Home modifications
- Long-term care needs
Multiple parties may share responsibility for your losses, including the truck driver, the trucking company, an insurance company, or other parties. An experienced Illinois truck accident lawyer can help you identify all the parties that contributed to your injury and all the damages you’re entitled to under Illinois law.
Contact Feagans Law Group today for a free consultation to discuss how our team can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.