Types of Accidents Most Likely to Lead to Traumatic Amputation

Losing a limb or body part in an accident can be traumatic and devastating. These types of injuries are not only known to cause excruciating pain and discomfort, but they can also severely impact an individual’s mental and emotional health and prevent them from being able to work and bring in any income ever again.

Most victims are never able to fully recover from a personal injury such as a traumatic amputation. Instead, they must learn how to adapt to their new reality by routinely attending physical and occupational therapy appointments and possibly even getting fitted for a prosthetic, which can be stressful, frustrating, and overwhelming.

What is a traumatic amputation?

MedlinePlus defines a traumatic amputation as “the loss of a body part, usually a finger, toe, arm, or leg, that occurs as the result of an accident or injury.” Therefore, these types of amputations usually occur due to a dangerous or disastrous accident or event that completely severs the limb. Some people who experience a traumatic amputation can have their limbs reattached, but this is not the case for everyone. According to the Amputation Coalition, nearly six million people in the United States live without a limb.

Seven types of accidents most likely to lead to traumatic amputation in Huntsville, AL

While any type of accident can lead to a traumatic amputation, some accidents are more likely to cause these types of injuries. Below, we will go over seven of the most common accidents that can result in a traumatic amputation.

1. Motor vehicle accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are one of the top causes of traumatic amputations. These types of accidents can be car, truck, motorcycle, and even motorscooter accidents. The reason why motor vehicle accidents are very likely to lead to traumatic amputations is because the human body is subject to strong forces and impact, and many sharp objects are flying around, which can easily sever a limb. Some vehicles also catch fire during or after a crash, causing the victim’s body parts to severely burn. When this happens, the doctors may have no choice but to remove or amputate the affected limbs.
2. Pedestrian accidents: Pedestrian accidents occur when a pedestrian walking or standing near or in the roadway is struck or run over by a motor vehicle. These accidents can result in life-threatening injuries, such as traumatic amputations because the human body is not built to withstand the weight or force of a motor vehicle. Therefore, victims of pedestrian accidents typically experience crushed body parts, intense road burns, and even severed limbs.
3. Workplace accidents: Another common type of accident that is most likely to lead to a traumatic amputation is workplace accidents. This usually happens in a factory or carpentry setting, where workers are required to complete strenuous and dangerous work tasks. For example, they may frequently use chainsaws and other sharp cutting tools, or they may work around conveyor belts and other powerful machinery that their limbs can become lodged in. If these tools and devices are not operated carefully and cautiously with the appropriate training and necessary safety guards a traumatic amputation is likely to occur.
4. Explosive accidents: If an individual lives or works near fuels, gasses, or other dangerous plants, there is a possibility that they could experience an explosive accident, which could lead to a traumatic amputation. This can also happen when standing near or playing with fireworks, firecrackers, and other explosive devices. Explosions can transmit strong forces or blasts that can cause injuries, fractures, crushed bones, and even amputations.
5. Electric Shock accidents: When a person suffers an electric shock accident, the electric current enters and travels through their body until it can find an exit. These are very serious accidents that can cause severe burns, deep tissue damage, internal organ damage, and even traumatic amputation. Therefore, those who are messing with or working around electrical wires or equipment must be very careful, as it only takes a few seconds to become electrocuted.
6. Construction accidents: Construction workers work from great heights and operate powerful, dangerous equipment. Therefore, if a construction worker makes one simple mistake, such as dropping a sharp object from above, it can land on another construction worker below them, resulting in a traumatic amputation. Other ways that construction workers may experience traumatic amputations are due to machine malfunctions, lockout/tag-out failures, structural collapses or falls, and more.
7. Agricultural accidents: Agricultural accidents often involve farming equipment and tools or even lawnmowers. An example of how an agricultural accident may cause a traumatic amputation is if a person is driving a lawn mower or excavator, and it flips over and crushes one of their limbs. Another example is if a farmer is working around dangerous chemicals that severely burn one of their limbs or even cause an explosion.

Long-term effects of a traumatic amputation

Individuals who experience traumatic amputation are likely to need ongoing treatment and care for the rest of their lives. This is because these types of injuries usually lead to various long-term effects, such as:

• Phantom limb pain
• Infections
• Depression
• Wound healing issues
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Anxiety disorder
• Body dysmorphia
• Heart issues
• Blood clots
• Deep vein thrombosis

Have you or a family member recently been involved in an accident that led to a traumatic amputation or another serious injury? If so, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a Huntsville personal injury attorney from Martin & Helms as soon as possible. Our team knows and understands that you are likely going through a difficult time right now, which is why we are committed to taking some of the burden off your shoulders and helping you fight for the compensation you need to cover your current and future losses. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free case review with one of our lawyers today. We are located in Huntsville and Decatur, but we also gladly serve clients in Madison, Athens, and other parts of North Alabama for your convenience.