As a personal injury attorney, I’ve seen examples of many types of car wreck injuries. We commonly think of broken bones, neck or back injuries. Some of these are reduced as more people remember to use their seat belts. However, this safety measure doesn’t prevent a loss of limb injury.
In an automobile accident, the forces exerted on the human body are extremely violent. If the collision results in a rollover, hands and arms can be severely damaged if they are extended outside of the car and get trapped between the hood and the ground, or the door and the other vehicle. Crush injuries and amputations are some of the conditions we see when reviewing accident photos and medical records.
If the driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt, the person can be ejected from the vehicle. Depending the angle of the ejection, it’s possible that a limb gets tangled and detaches as the force of the wreck is exerted on the rest of the body.
Loss of Use Injuries
A loss of limb injury doesn’t have to be the result of an amputation. The sudden jerking of the neck can cause the injuries to the nerves, which may not be able to recover. Traumatic nerve damage can leave an arm or leg unusable. These conditions are sometimes referred to as “loss of use” injuries.
Yes, these injuries sound horrible. As an attorney representing the injured victim, I often have to review records I sometimes wish I didn’t have to see. I can tell you from personal experience that a loss of limb injury is actually worse than it sounds.
When I file an injury claim on behalf of a client, it’s important that the evidence is collected and presented in a way that makes it difficult for the insurance company and its lawyers to downplay the seriousness of the injuries.
Other Factors to Consider
Another factor that needs to be considered is the long-term impact on the life of the injured victim and his/her ability to return to a job that will provide for the family. Yes, medicine and prosthetics have made incredible advances, but the impact (physical, emotional and psychological) may prevent the person from returning to the life they knew prior to the wreck.
These are reasons why you and your family should rely on an attorney with decades of experience handling car wrecks and dealing with catastrophic injuries. Some wounds will heal. Others, unfortunately, will have serious consequences for years to come.
I offer free consultations to injury victims throughout western Kentucky. If you’ve been injured in an automobile accident, contact our office. We understand the issues, because we handle them almost every day. Our phone number is (270) 753-0033.
