When you drive or ride in a motor vehicle, you have some risk of suffering a serious injury in a car accident. Possible accident-related injuries range from traumatic brain injuries to organ damage, and while severe traumas such as arm amputations may seem like the occasional worst-case scenario, they are not exactly rare.
Industrial Safety and Hygiene News reports that traffic accidents are the most common cause of trauma-related amputations in the U.S. Among the roughly two million Americans with amputations, 400,000 required amputation after a serious accident. Of these, approximately 280,000 have upper limb amputations.
The riskiest car accidents for arm amputations
Even seemingly minor car accidents have the potential to leave you with serious and life-altering injuries. If you suffer an arm amputation, though, you are likely to be in one of the following types of car crashes:
- A rollover accident
- A head-on collision
- A T-bone crash
- An accident that causes your ejection from the vehicle
While high-impact and other major collisions increase your risk of an arm amputation, you may not lose your arm immediately. If an accident disrupts blood flow or causes extensive tissue damage, doctors may recommend amputation in the days, weeks or even months after the crash.
The consequences of an arm amputation
Because you use your arms for all aspects of your life, an arm amputation may make it impossible to work, do household chores and engage in recreational activities. Regrettably, in addition to physical pain, you may also have to contend with body-image issues and other psychological damage after an amputation.
While prosthetic devices and other accommodations may help you cope with an arm amputation, you are likely to face mounting medical bills. Fortunately, to help you better manage all post-amputation consequences, you may be able to pursue financial compensation from the driver who caused the accident.
