What Happens In A Motorcycle Accident When You Lose A Leg?
Key Highlights
What Happens In A Motorcycle Accident When You Lose A Leg: A Complete Guide for Virginia Survivors
- Immediate Medical Care: Many motorcycle accidents leave victims with life-threatening crush syndrome or traumatic amputations and their stabilization should take place at a level I trauma facility.
- Lifetime Financial Burden: A person will incur at least $1 million of expenses from their medical treatment, any necessary home modifications, and loss of future income due to the disability after an accident involving a motorcycle.
- Prosthetic Devices: Each prosthetic device will typically cost between $25000-$75000. A prosthetic will need to be replaced every 3-5 years for continued use at a long-term recurring cost.
- Adaptive Riding Options: Motorcycle riders who have undergone an amputation may choose to continue riding a motorcycle after leg amputation with electronic shifters, integrated brakes, or trike kits.
- Virginia’s Negligence Law: According to Virginia’s contributory negligence law, if you are found to be even 1% at fault in an accident, your ability to recover damages from the other driver will be terminated.
In just one moment, your life can change forever due to a motorcycle crash, and you will continue to experience the repercussions for the rest of your life. The rider may face the most severe consequence: amputation. The road to recovery, particularly in Virginia, is complicated by medical issues, financial difficulties, and legal obstacles.
As a personal injury attorney at Tatum Atkinson, I, Robert Tatum, and my skilled team recognize that you need more than an attorney; you need assistance finding a way to get through this difficult time. Our firm specializes in serious personal injuries suffered by victims of motorcycle accidents because we believe that a bike crash can potentially affect your ability to walk and/or live independently.
Traumatic Leg Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents: Emergency Care and Life-Saving Decisions
Motorcycle crashes can produce severe trauma to the lower body, given little to no protection. Riders are often subject to severe injury, such as traumatic amputation or crush injury, that may require surgical repair of the limb. Initial care will focus on stopping blood loss or using a tourniquet as indicated by the American College of Surgeons, as the use of a tourniquet will prevent fatal bleeding if applied immediately.
After stabilization, patients will be transported to a trauma center where the surgeon will evaluate the injured limb to determine if the limb is salvageable or if the limb needs to be amputated.
How Does a Motorcycle Accident Change Your Life After Losing a Limb?
A motorcycle crash can impact one’s life in a matter of seconds, which can happen when fatal accidents happen or when one loses a limb due to those injuries. Victims in Virginia who have been in motorcycle crashes have a lot more than just serious bodily injury; they face emotional, financial, and legal problems that arise from having sustained catastrophic injuries (like leg amputation).
At Tatum & Atkinson, we know that our clients need much more than just an attorney to help them; they need to have a plan going forward. That’s why we have an experienced team of attorneys that handle complex personal injury cases while also assisting their clients in gaining back their independence following catastrophic injuries like leg amputations.
What Happens During Emergency Medical Response After a Motorcycle Amputation Injury?
In cases of severe injury to the lower extremities from a motorcycle accident, the absence of protective gear may result in traumatic amputation. Organizations like the Amputee Coalition support those with or needing surgical amputation of the lower extremity. The initial treatment includes stopping blood flow from the affected limb with a tourniquet to stop the risk of fatal blood loss.
The patient is then transported to a trauma center, where a surgeon will determine if the injured limb can be salvaged or if amputation needs to occur to prevent the patient from developing life-threatening complications such as crush syndrome and organ failure.
What Types of Prosthetics Help Restore Mobility After Amputation?
Prosthesis selection is determined by the limbs that have been amputated. Below-the-knee amputations can provide a more natural movement than above-the-knee amputations do. Advanced joint technology allows above-the-knee amputations to move more normally than below-the-knee amputations’ movement does.
Many people also use specially designed prosthetics that allow them to play sports or participate in other types of physical activity, allowing them to be re-established as independent and able to complete tasks on their own.
What Support Services Are Available for Motorcycle Amputees in Virginia?
Recovery includes more than just physical healing. Several Virginia-based recovery support organizations & rehabilitation centers offer gait training, counseling, or peer support, which helps individuals adjust to a new way of living and, in many ways, return to some of the activities they did before the injury, e.g., riding motorcycles.
What Additional Injuries Can Occur Alongside a Motorcycle Amputation?
Motorcycle accident victims will frequently experience secondary injuries, such as wrist fractures, as a result of attempting to brace themselves during a fall. Signs of wrist fractures may be visual deformity, swelling, or loss of nerve function.
Long-term complications can potentially affect mobility and/or strength. As such, these secondary injuries must be included as part of any personal injury claim filed by an injured person.
What Legal Challenges Do Motorcycle Accident Victims Face in Virginia?
In Virginia, the very strict contributory negligence law mandates that having legal counsel is mandatory. Even a very slight amount of fault will bar a recovery. For this reason, building the strongest possible case is extremely important. At Tatum & Atkinson, we collect evidence, combat the tactics of the insurance companies, and establish their complete liability in order to maximize recovery for our clients.
How Can Legal Support Help After a Motorcycle Amputation Injury?
There are no fees for legal services rendered until a satisfactory resolution is achieved, eliminating any potential risk to you as a client. In addition, we have experience in managing complicated motorcycle accidents in Virginia by offering committed support from your initial consultation through final resolution.
How Can You Move Forward After Losing a Leg in a Motorcycle Accident?
Rehabilitating after amputating a leg from a motorcycle accident can be a long and painful process; however, with proper support, rehabilitation can occur. Our goal at the Tatum & Atkinson Law Firm is to obtain the compensation necessary to allow our clients to receive medical treatment, prosthetics, and any other changes needed in order to help them rebuild their lives with independence and confidence.
What Are the Symptoms of a Broken Wrist After a Car Accident?
Immediate swelling and abnormal shape of the wrist can be an indication of a serious injury. An example of this would be referring to the physical shape of a wrist that has been broken as a “dinner fork.” These symptoms may indicate the possibility of nerve damage to the wrist.
Long-term complications from a broken wrist can be debilitating and include post-traumatic arthritis, permanent lack of grip strength, and limited range of motion, making it difficult to throttle or use a motorcycle’s clutch.
What Are the First Steps I Should Take Legally After a Motorcycle Accident in Virginia?
The first step is to avoid talking with insurance adjusters who could utilize your statements against you as evidence of contributory negligence. You should call Tatum & Atkinson at (800) 529-0804 and schedule a free consultation.
Tatum & Atkinson will gather evidence from the crash site and obtain all medical records documenting the traumatic amputation and broken wrist symptoms to support your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions!
Do I need a special license to ride with a prosthetic leg in Virginia?
It is not necessary to hold a specific license; however, there may be restrictions from the Virginia DMV on motorcycle riding with prosthetic leg placed on riders due to having adaptive modifications used during your skills test.
Can I pass a motorcycle test with one leg in Virginia?
Yes, if you demonstrate complete control of your motorcycle, you should qualify. A large number of riders will have adaptive motorcycles for amputees (trikes) that also have the capabilities of meeting the balance and stability requirements set forth by Virginia law.
How can I find adaptive motorcycle gear for amputees in Virginia?
You may want to check with custom mobility shops in VA to get adaptive gear. In addition, organizations like NHTSA and local motorcycle clubs will have information on special equipment, such as shifters, that may help you locate what you’re looking for.
Are there motorcycle training programs for amputees in Virginia?
Yes, there are many amputee motorcycle riding courses operated through the Virginia Rider Training Program, which provides opportunities for the amputee community. It’s advisable that you contact the training facilities beforehand to let them know your various requirements; many allow you to learn on your modified motorcycle.
What are the safest motorcycles for amputee riders in Virginia?
The safest type of motorcycle for you, an amputee, is dependent on your individual personal requirements; however, a lot of amputees enjoy using DCT-type motorcycles because they don’t require foot operation to shift into gear.
