Traumatic Amputation After a Car or Truck Accident

 Posted on September 15, 2025 in Catastrophic Injuries

Car and truck accidents can cause some of the most devastating injuries imaginable. While broken bones and concussions are serious, few injuries change a person’s life as completely as a traumatic amputation. The sudden loss of a limb not only creates physical challenges; it also frequently causes emotional trauma and lifelong financial difficulties as well. It can permanently change a person’s career and family life and make it impossible to chase certain dreams. 

Our Joliet, Illinois car accident lawyers have seen how serious an amputation can be for victims and their families. As part of a large firm with a strong reputation across the state, we have secured many multi-million dollar settlements through aggressive negotiation and litigation. We also take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless we win. If you or someone you love has suffered an amputation because of an accident that was not your fault, call us now. 

What Is a Traumatic Amputation?

A traumatic amputation happens when a body part such as an arm, leg, hand, or foot is severed in the accident itself or must be surgically removed because of the extent of the damage. Unlike medical amputations performed to treat disease, traumatic amputations are sudden and unexpected. 

They often occur when victims are trapped in twisted metal, crushed in high-speed collisions, or injured by the force of impact in a truck accident. Even when doctors successfully reattach a limb, long-term function may be limited and repeated surgeries may follow.

Why Truck Accidents Pose Higher Risks of Amputational Injuries

Any motor vehicle accident can cause catastrophic injuries, but crashes with large trucks are some of the most risky. A semi-trailer can weigh over 80,000 pounds. The force of impact with a smaller passenger car is overwhelming. 

Victims in these accidents are more likely to suffer crushed limbs or severe lacerations that lead to amputation. Because the Will County area includes busy highways such as I-55 and I-80, residents are exposed to the risks of heavy truck traffic. When crashes happen, the injuries are often permanent and life-changing.

The Immediate Medical Consequences of a Catastrophic Amputation Injury 

In the hours after a traumatic amputation, victims face life-threatening risks. Severe blood loss can cause shock. If victims are not immediately taken to a hospital, exposure to roadway conditions increases the risk of infection and bleeding out. 

Victims also suffer nerve damage and tissue loss that make recovery unpredictable. Emergency surgeries are normally needed to control bleeding and repair tissue where possible. Even after the initial procedures, many patients spend weeks in the hospital followed by months of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Complications are common and unpredictable.

The cost of these accidents are long-term and not limited to the financial impact, although that alone can be enormous. If someone loses the ability to work, how can they provide for themselves and their family? Likewise, if getting around the house becomes difficult, how can basic tasks be accomplished? Will an amputee need life-long assistance or expensive changes to their homes?
In the early hours and days after an accident, it is impossible to know exactly what the future holds in store. But most families know right away that things will never be the same. 

The Long-Term Impact of an Amputation from a Car or Truck Crash

Losing a limb affects nearly every aspect of daily life. Victims may lose their independence and require help with basic tasks such as dressing, cooking, and driving. Many are unable to return to their previous careers, particularly if their work involved physical labor.

Medical researchers are doing amazing things with prosthetic limbs, but these are expensive and often need replacement over time. Studies show that the lifetime costs of living with limb loss can exceed half a million dollars, and that figure does not include lost income. 

Victims also frequently experience phantom limb pain and emotional struggles such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Families are affected as well, with parents, spouses, and children stepping into tough caregiving roles.

Can You Sue if You Were in a Traumatic Car Crash? 

Under Illinois personal injury law, victims of traumatic amputations caused by car or truck accidents have the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault parties. Even if the victim was partially responsible for an accident, as long as they were not more than 50 percent responsible, they can file a claim and recover damages under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. 

To succeed, victims need to show that:

• The other driver or trucking company owed the victim a duty of care

• The driver breached that duty through negligence, for example, by speeding or not giving the car proper maintenance

• The breach directly caused the accident and resulting amputation

Compensation may cover many things. Among these are, of course, past and future medical bills. Amputation victims also frequently sue for lost wages and reduced earning capacity. When necessary, the cost of prosthetics, rehabilitation, and home modifications can be pursued as well. Compensation for pain and suffering may be available and in especially reckless cases, courts may also award punitive damages.

Contact a Joliet, IL Car Accident Lawyer Today

The stakes in an amputation case are high. Insurance companies know that these injuries lead to some of the largest settlements and verdicts, and they will do everything they can to limit what victims receive. Without strong representation, families risk not getting what they need to rebuild their lives. 

At Schwartz Injury Law, our firm has the resources of a large group of experienced attorneys yet still gives each client personal attention. We understand the medicine, the law, and the tactics needed to prove liability and fight for full compensation.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic amputation after a car or truck accident, you should not face the future alone. We offer free consultations and handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no cost to get started. Call 708-888-2160 today to speak directly with a Will County personal injury lawyer about your case. We are ready to help.