The loss of a limb is known as an amputation. Although it is not as common as some other car accident injuries, when it occurs, it causes lifelong disability.
Every year, approximately 185,000 amputations are performed in the US, according to the Amputee-Coalition. While nearly half of these amputations are due to vascular disease, the rest are mostly the result of trauma, such as car accidents.
Chris Hoffman is an excellent attorney. He is the best above the rest. What makes him different? He communicates promptly - I don't have to leave message after message for him to reach out to me. When I telephone his office, if he doesn't answer the telephone, his assistant does. Chris Hoffman is very attentive and focused. He means business, and he hit the ground running on the cases. I'm so blessed to have him for my attorney.
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
When amputation results from a car accident, it can easily and quickly be complicated by profuse bleeding that can lead to infection or shock. Both of these can be potentially life-threatening. In some cases, it may be possible to reattach the severed limbs, however, in most cases, the victim will depend on a prosthetic limb.
Car accidents and amputations
In the US, there are nearly 1.7 million people living with limb amputations. Car accidents are a more common cause of traumatic amputations compared to other causes such as congenital reasons, vascular disease, or cancer.
A car accident can cause the victim’s hands, toes, feet, fingers, or entire limb to be so severely damaged that reconstruction is not possible. In some cases, surgical amputation may be required to save the victim’s life. According to available statistics:
Arm amputations account for almost 68 percent of all trauma-related amputations
Males are at a higher risk of trauma-related amputations compared to females
The risk of traumatic amputations increases steadily with age and is highest for people age 85 or older.
As we said earlier, in some cases of traumatic amputation, the severed limb can be reattached, especially with proper and timely medical care. Modern replantation techniques show promising results. However, incomplete nerve regeneration still remains an important limiting factor. Most victims of traumatic amputations have to adapt to a prosthesis, which also can be quite challenging.
Thanks to a better quality prosthesis and medical support available these days, car accident victims who suffer the loss of a limb can still have a high degree of function and can lead to a satisfying life. However, the suffering caused by such an injury can be inexplicable. Traumatic amputations cause both physical pain and immense emotional agony.
How Do Car Collisions Lead to Amputations?
Car-accident-induced amputations generally fall into two categories: Traumatic amputations and surgical amputations.
Traumatic amputations are the result of a direct impact on the limb, such as when the limb is crushed by a heavy object. In these cases, the limb is so badly damaged that it cannot be saved and must be removed to prevent further harm to the patient.
On the other hand, surgical amputations are typically performed when there is significant damage to the limb, but it is possible to be saved. In these cases, the surgeon will carefully remove any damaged tissue in an attempt to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible. In some cases, however, surgery may not be possible or may not be successful, and the limb will need to be removed.
Types of Car Accidents That Can Lead to Amputations
Even a low-speed collision can cause an amputation if the victim’s limb is caught in between two objects. However, some types of car accidents are more likely to result in amputations than others.
For example, car accidents that involve high speeds or multiple vehicles are more likely to cause severe injuries that might require amputation. In addition, car accidents that involve pedestrians or cyclists are also more likely to cause serious injuries that might necessitate amputation.
Ultimately, any type of car accident has the potential to lead to an amputation, so it’s important to drive carefully and always be aware of potential hazards on the road.
The Financial Burden of Amputation
Recovering from an amputation can be expensive and often require lengthy rehabilitation. Additionally, prosthetic limbs, the cost of rehabilitation services, and home modifications can set you back thousands of dollars.
These costs can put a severe financial strain on the victim and their family. The good news is filing a car injury claim can generally help you recover the compensation you need to cover your expenses.
Why speak with a St. Louis Amputation Injury Lawyer?
If you have suffered a loss of a limb in a car accident, you can recover and lead a good life, but the road to recovery can be long, convoluted, and expensive. You are likely to require long and extensive medical care, and it may take months or even longer for you to get used to the prosthesis.
Even if your severed limb can be reattached, you may need multiple surgeries and prolonged rehabilitation. All this can prove extremely expensive.
If your car accident was a result of another person’s negligence, you may be able to recover all your expenses from the at-fault driver. Get in touch with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We have the knowledge and experience necessary to protect your legal rights.
Why Choose Us over TV Lawyers?
Direct Attorney Access (24/7)
Maximum Compensation Focus
Trial-Ready Cases
Team-Based Handling
Volume-Driven Timelines
Less Trial Preparation Emphasis
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!