Although many bikers are diligent about performing essential safety measures for motorcyclists, they will always lack the protection an automobile provides in an accident.
Motorcycle riders may be thrown from their bikes; suffer irreparable damage to their legs and arms as they skid along the ground; or even suffer crushing injuries as their motorcycles roll on top of them.
Unfortunately, a rider’s limbs and extremities may suffer such extreme trauma that doctors are forced to amputate in order to save the rider’s life.
What to Expect After a Motorcycle Accident Causes Amputation
An amputation in one of the most devastating injuries someone can experience in a motorcycle crash. From the initial pain of the accident to the psychological effects of living without a limb, patients have to endure intense stress before they can successfully transition to a life without a hand, arm, foot, or leg.
The stages of amputation injury may include:
- Surgery. Most amputation victims don't lose a limb at the accident site, but are forced to have it removed surgically because it cannot be repaired. Victims may have little time to agree to the surgery or to comprehend the extent of the loss—and some may even remain unconscious and wake up to the loss of the limb.
- Rehabilitation. Once the surgical wound has healed, patients begin rehabilitation sessions to learn how to perform basic daily activities without the lost limb. Patients often become frustrated or even angry during this time, as they may struggle to complete tasks they had previously taken for granted, such as buttoning shirts, driving, or writing with a non-dominant hand.
- Therapy. The devastation of the loss, the trauma of the accident, and the stress of recovery are often much more than one person can bear alone. Accident victims may see many benefits in undergoing psychological therapy as well as physical therapy, especially if they're suffering severe depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Prosthesis. When the surgery site has healed, patients may be fitted with a prosthetic device to replace a lost hand, arm, foot, or leg. The cost of these devices varies widely depending on the sophistication of the movements, and insurance may not offset enough of the cost to make the best devices affordable to the patient.
Amputation can result in innumerable losses to a motorcyclist, including the inability to ride for the rest of his or her life. As a result, victims may be owed a substantial amount for their pain and suffering costs. Depending on the details of the case, you may be able to recover payment for disability, disfigurement, emotional distress, and lost quality of life—all in addition to damages for your past medical bills and lost income.
Fill out the quick contact form on this page to schedule your free case evaluation with the injury attorneys at Johnson & Gilbert, P.A. today.
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