Dallas Attorneys for Loss of Limb in a Truck Accident
No words can adequately describe what it is like to lose a limb. It is traumatic, devastating, and life-changing. Yet, those words still don’t fully capture the magnitude of limb loss. Moving forward with life can be a struggle when a large truck collision causes a catastrophic injury like an amputation. Physical complications are a given, but the psychological and financial repercussions can be just as devastating.
At The Benton Law Firm, we know truck accident victims’ struggles after losing a limb. While you try to come to terms with your loss, the trucking company and its team of insurers and lawyers are trying to mitigate the situation. That means attempting to get away with paying you as little as possible for your claim. You deserve better.
If you have lost a limb in a truck accident, talk to an experienced Dallas truck accident attorney with The Benton Law Firm. We will handle your case with the utmost sensitivity while attempting to recover the maximum compensation you deserve. Don’t try to tackle the trucking company on your own during this challenging time. Enlist the help of a skilled and resourceful legal team. Call The Benton Law Firm at (214) 777-7777 today for a free and confidential consultation.
Defining Loss of Limb
Losing a limb in an accident is sometimes referred to as a “traumatic amputation.” An amputation is removing or losing a body part such as an arm, leg, toe, or finger. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about 45 percent of all amputations are caused by some form of a traumatic accident.
Traumatic amputations are not uncommon in large truck accidents. A 3,000-pound passenger vehicle is no match for an 80,000-pound, fully-loaded commercial truck. When the two vehicles collide, the occupants of the passenger vehicle typically suffer the worst injuries.
How Does Limb Loss Happen in Large Truck Accidents?
Traumatic amputation can happen in several different ways. The massive impact of a collision with a commercial truck can force shrapnel straight through a smaller, lighter passenger car. These sharp metal pieces can sheer off a limb like an arm or leg, cutting through muscle and tissue like a knife.
Large truck collisions can also cause traumatic crushing injuries. A limb can easily be pinned between a car’s dash and seat or other crumpled remains. Limb loss in these circumstances can happen in several different ways. The crushing injury may be so severe that the bone, muscle, and other soft tissues are severed from the body.
A crushing injury may ultimately result in amputation if the limb is pinned for an extended time. If crews need to take measures to remove a victim trapped in their vehicle, the pinned limb could be losing vital oxygenated blood flow while the extraction is underway. When blood flow is cut off from a body part, that body part begins to die. If blood flow is not restored in an appropriate amount of time, the limb may no longer be viable. Dead tissue can cause infections to spread, leading to sepsis and potentially gangrene. A limb that contains an extensive amount of dead tissue may need to be amputated.
Unsecured cargo
Large trucks are fully capable of causing traumatic injuries that will result in the loss of a limb. However, accidents involving unsecured cargo and toxic materials are also particularly devastating. Loose cargo flying off a truck is capable of causing limb loss injuries. Accidents involving flammable or toxic materials can also cause traumatic injuries such as burns. While some third- and fourth-degree burns can be treated, extensive tissue loss may be cause for surgical amputation of fingers, toes, arms, and even legs.
Even if the accident does not take off a limb, amputation may still be the ultimate result. Sometimes, the damage caused to tissue and bone is so extensive the best course of action is a surgical amputation. A physician may deem the limb unviable, meaning there may not be enough tissue or bone to reattach the appendage successfully. The same is true for blood flow. If tissue damage is too great, physicians may be unable to reestablish adequate blood flow to the appendage. Without adequate blood flow, the limb will slowly die, and surgical amputation is generally required to save the victim’s life.
Compensation for Losing a Limb
Losing a limb in a large truck accident can be catastrophic. Your entire world may change, forcing you to relearn skills you’ve spent decades mastering. Even everyday tasks like eating and walking can become massive challenges. An amputation is physically life-altering.
Unfortunately, an amputation is also financially life-altering. The Amputee Coalition estimates that the lifetime healthcare costs of people with limb loss can amount to $509,275. Those costs generally do not consider the medical costs a truck accident victim will incur immediately after the accident.
If a victim eventually wants a prosthetic device to help them, that will be an additional cost. A prosthetic leg can run anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000. An arm can cost between $3,000 and $30,000. That is for one medical device. If a victim is still growing, they may need several prosthetic devices. All of this to say, losing a limb can be financially draining.
Depending on the severity of your injury and the cause of the accident, you may be able to recover money for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Medical equipment or devices
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
If you have lost a limb because of a truck accident, you need to talk to an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help make an accurate and fair assessment of the value of your claim. A skilled attorney can then negotiate with the trucking company, their attorneys, and insurers for the money you deserve.
Contact a Skilled Truck Accident Attorney Immediately
Losing a limb can feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself, a part you’ll never be able to get back. While your life is permanently altered, the trucking company may seek ways to diminish your claim and pay out as little as possible. You need someone looking out for you during this traumatic and vulnerable time.
If you have lost a limb due to a serious truck accident, get in touch with the team at The Benton Law Firm today. Our compassionate attorneys will work with you to hold the trucking company accountable. For a free and confidential legal consultation, call us at (214) 777-7777.