Marietta Injury Lawyer Blog
An amputation is one of the worst consequences imaginable after a car accident in Cobb County. Victims often only learn about their amputated limbs after regaining consciousness in hospital beds – and this is some of the worst news a patient can receive. As frustrating as an amputation can be, it is important to remember that this is often a life-saving procedure. How might an amputation affect your life after a car accident? How will you continue with your career? How much will rehabilitation cost? These are all common and important questions.
How Do Car Accidents Lead to Amputations?
A recent example of a car accident amputation occurred near Kennewick State University in Cobb County. A teen college student was waiting in a “pedestrian area” by an infamously dangerous intersection when a motorist attempted a U-turn. The motorist struck another vehicle while attempting the turn, pushing this second car into the teen. This caused critical injuries that required immediate hospitalization.
The teen regained consciousness after her first surgery, and doctors immediately informed her that her leg had been amputated. The limb was likely crushed or partially severed in the pedestrian accident. This can lead to a condition known as “compartment syndrome,” which involves the affected limb swelling and filling with blood. The limb essentially dies at this point, and the resulting infection can easily become fatal.
As a result of this infection threat, one of the most common ways to treat compartment syndrome is to amputate the limb. This immediately halts the infection, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body (including vital organs).
Compartment syndrome is a common consequence of “crush injuries.” These injuries might occur when a vehicle runs over a pedestrian’s arm or leg. This type of injury usually happens when a pedestrian is already lying on the ground. For example, one vehicle might strike a pedestrian, throwing them onto the roadway. With no time to react, a second passing vehicle might run the prone pedestrian over and cause crushing injuries to the limbs.
How Do Amputations Affect a Victim’s Life?
Amputation can radically alter the trajectory of a victim’s life. Without two functioning arms or legs, their current career paths may no longer be sustainable. For example, the victim might have worked as a construction laborer, and this job might be impossible with one leg. Alternatively, the victim may have spent hours typing at a computer each day. With only one functioning arm, their productivity might decline to the point where they are no longer employable.
Aside from lost earnings in Cobb County, amputations lead to significant medical expenses. These patients need to undergo grueling rehabilitation programs in order to regain some sense of independence and self-sufficiency. These programs are often extremely expensive, especially if victims want to receive the most effective treatment. Prosthetics can also be expensive, and some of the most innovative modern variants are quite costly.
Finally, an amputation can seriously affect a victim’s mental health. These patients often struggle with poor self-esteem, depression, and difficulty forming relationships.