Hamilton NJ Motorcycle Accident Loss of Limb Lawyers
Personal Injury Attorneys with Offices in Hamilton and Pennington, New Jersey
Cool breezes, warm sunshine, and blue skies call to the inner adventurer in us all. Riding a motorcycle provides a sense of freedom like no other. But it also presents more danger than riding in a car. Careful bikers use padding and protection from head to toe, but can still be seriously harmed in an accident, so imagine what could happen to a rider wearing only a helmet.
Motorcycle accident victims are more likely to suffer severe injuries than other motorists because motorcycle riders are not protected against direct impact with the roadway. The worst motorcycle accidents can lead to the loss of a limb. Sometimes, motorcycle accident victims find themselves pinned between the motorcycle and another vehicle. When this happens, they may suffer permanent damage to a limb. If a limb is crushed by a motor vehicle or some other object as the result of a motorcycle accident, amputation might be necessary to save the victim’s life. Of course, losing a limb can have a dramatic effect on a person’s life. It can also negatively affect the injury victim’s family.
Knowing who to hold responsible can be confusing after a serious motorcycle accident. If you or a loved one has been severely injured in a motorcycle accident to the point of losing a limb, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Cohen & Riechelson can help. Our legal team has been representing clients in New Jersey since 1972, devoted to helping people who suffered serious injuries understand their compensation options in Windsor, East Windsor, South Brunswick, Ewing, Mercer County, and Middlesex County. To get a free consultation, contact us at our Mercer County office today by calling (609) 528-2596.
Factors that Contribute to Severe Motorcycle Crashes Resulting in Limb Loss
Motorcyclists are more susceptible to an accident when the road conditions are bad. All it takes is a minor road hazard, such as gravel on the road or a pothole, and the rider can lose control. Visibility is another challenge, especially in bad weather or at night. Riding in a car’s blind spot can result in a crash under suitable conditions, let alone in hazardous ones. Motorcycle riders have the challenge of keeping their balance and concentrating every second, and driving while overly tired or mentally distracted can result in a tragedy.
You are probably wondering what kind of accident can be so severe as to result in the driver losing a limb. It is rare in a car accident for someone to lose a limb, but motorcycle riders are exposed to more dangerous circumstances because they have nothing to protect them.
Leading Reasons for Limb Amputation Resulting from a Motorcycle Accident in New Jersey
Amputations can happen for many reasons as a result of an accident. Traumatic injuries can require amputation as a result of a high-impact collision. These occur when a rider’s limb has been lacerated to the point of being irreparable or severed completely. Approximately half of all amputations occur this way. Another cause is a crush injury when the limb is compressed to the point of cutting off circulation. Frequently, motorcycle riders become pressed under a vehicle or between vehicles. When a motorcycle rider slides against the pavement, the skin, tissue, and muscles are stripped from the bone. It is called degloving. If the extent of the exposure is profound, amputation can be required.
It is important to recognize that for any serious injury, from broken or exposed bones to deep, open wounds, an infection can permeate the injury, becoming a life-threatening condition in a matter of one or two days. To make matters worse, some infections are resistant to antibiotics and are, therefore, more likely to result in an amputation.
Navigating the Devastating Physical and Emotional Challenges of Amputation
An amputation can be devastating. It significantly changes the life of the amputee and the lives of their family and friends. Physically, there is phantom pain from the lost limb as if it were still there. Learning to maintain one’s balance and complete daily tasks requires rehabilitation. It can be enormously frustrating to experience challenges in mobility and take months to adapt to the changes in one’s body.
Amputees also struggle with the emotional aspect of this brutal life-changing event. Patients with amputations can experience self-esteem issues and depression. They can have insomnia or difficulty oversleeping, or lose interest in the hobbies or activities they were interested in. They may gain or lose weight and have a distinct lack of energy. In the most extreme cases, people who have suffered from an amputation have suicidal ideations or self-harm and require mental health care services.
Medical Options to Overcome Challenges of Losing a Limb in a Motorcycle Accident
Different categories of amputations determine the medical options a victim may have. A disarticulation occurs when the amputation is done from a joint such as the shoulder, hip, knee, or ankle. This kind of amputation is usually done when the damage or infection is so severe that none of the limb can be salvaged. Partial amputations such as the trans-tibial (lower leg), trans-femoral (upper leg), trans-radial (forearm), and trans-humeral (upper arm). These amputations do not go completely to the joint.
Surgery and more surgery will be required to support the healing process. Sometimes, surgeries are needed four or five years after the accident to rectify problems that may have occurred after the healing process.
Wound care is essential to avoid removing more tissue from the affected area. The victim may require periodic hospitalization to prevent further infection and promote healing while monitoring complications and providing pain management.
One of the most essential parts of recovery is physical therapy. Specialists work with the injured victim to provide them with the skills they need to live an independent, productive life. Steps toward a more independent life can be encountered using weights, equipment, and weight-bearing exercises.
Prosthetic devices aren’t a panacea for those who have lost a limb, but they can make a difference in becoming more mobile. Technological advances have made prosthetics more comfortable and less expensive. A prosthetic hand was recently created with a 3-D printer at Johns Hopkins University, which could allow replicas to be created from that pattern.
Motorcycle crashes are trauma-inducing events and psychological support for the individual and their family members can help adjustments to their everyday life with the challenges amputation creates. Lastly, vocational rehabilitation can help a person return to work or find an alternative. This kind of care prepares the injured party for a return to the workforce and provides a sense of strength and belonging to something outside of themselves.
Damages for Motorcycle Accident Amputation Injuries in Mercer County NJ
If you suffer a lost limb as the result of a motorcycle accident, you deserve compensation. New Jersey law allows you to file a claim for all kinds of damages, including:
- Medical Treatment: Motorcycle accidents which result in the loss of a limb often necessitate costly medical treatment and surgery. If you lose a limb, you might also need compensation to cover the costs of prosthetics.
- Pain and Suffering: Even if doctors are able to reattach the limb to your body, you may suffer from pain for the rest of your life.
- Emotional Distress: Losing a limb can cause serious emotional problems as the victim tries to adjust to life without the use of all of their legs and arms. That’s why you may need to file a claim for damages stemming from emotional distress.
- Quality of Life: When you lose a limb because of a serious motorcycle accident, you might find it impossible to maintain the same active lifestyle you had before the accident. In certain instances, you might need to make expensive modifications to your home so that you can still get around.
- Inability to Work: Although medical and technological advancements have allowed many amputees to return to semi-normal lives, it might still be difficult for a motorcycle accident victim who loses a limb to return to work in their previous capacity. Even the loss of a finger could prevent you from being able to perform your job. This could cause undue financial stress for you and your family.
Wrongful Death from Amputation Injuries in Lawrence NJ
The loss of a limb in a motorcycle accident can be life-threatening because these injuries are often accompanied by a large loss of blood. Additionally, it is not uncommon for motorcycle accident victims who lose a limb to suffer severe infections because of the open wound. This has the potential to be life-threatening.
Process to Prove Liability in a Motorcycle Accident Resulting in the Loss of a Limb
Negligence must be proven to hold the other party accountable, and the measure of negligence will determine how liable they are for your injuries. Four elements must be proven: duty of care, the baseline of responsibility they (and other drivers) have to people sharing the road with them. A breach of care demonstrates that they acted in a way that went against the duty of care. Causation is the action that ties their negligence to your injury. The damages are the economic and non-economic losses you suffer because of their negligence. Another potential factor regarding the possible compensation you could receive is the severity of your injuries. Also, it is important to remember that the statute of limitations to file a claim after a loss of limb accident is two years from the date of the accident.
Call Trenton NJ Motorcycle Accident Amputation Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Your life has been changed forever. The loss you have experienced is something that has required extensive medical, physical, and psychological treatments. Your bills are multiplying; you cannot work, and the stress is overwhelming. But you are not alone.
The personal injury lawyers at Cohen & Riechelson can help build your case with the information you need to hold those responsible for the accident accountable. We have the experience required to interview witnesses, review your medical records, talk with your doctors, and much more. We will go to great lengths to ensure that no stone is left unturned in Trenton, Edison, Princeton, Robbinsville, Lawrence, Hopewell, and towns across Mercer County and New Jersey.
If you or someone you know has been injured and suffered an amputation in a motorcycle accident, call us for your free consultation at (609) 528-2596 or online.
