Amputation Injury Reported in Modesto Car Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto personal injury attorney. A Waterford man was driving his 1999 Ford Expedition along Highway 132 and Hopper Road east of Modesto on the afternoon of Saturday, April 21, 2018. At approximately 4:55 pm, the Ford was traveling at an unknown rate of speed when it reportedly lost control, drifted across the eastbound lanes and collided with a telephone pole located along the shoulder of the highway. The impact of the collision caused the Ford to overturn and come to a rest on its side near a vineyard. Authorities reported that the lower portion of the man’s right leg was amputated in the crash and the severed part was retrieved at the scene. Medical personnel transported the man and a female passenger to an area hospital for treatment. Sadly, the man succumbed to his injuries during hospitalization.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr. Chauvin during this difficult time. I would like to extend my best wishes for a swift and full recovery to the other individual injured in this traumatic accident.
What Caused the Accident?
An investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is underway to determine an exact cause of the car accident.
Identity of Victim
The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identity of the driver as 35-year-old Michael Chauvin of Waterford.
Loved One Forever Remembered
Michael Chauvin was a cherished member of his family. He is survived by his devastated loved ones for his kind and loving soul. A GoFundMe account has been created to cover the costs of his funeral.
Crushed Roof Injuries
When a motor vehicle is involved in a rollover accident, particularly SUVs and passenger vans, the strength of a vehicle’s roof is expected to prevent catastrophic injury or wrongful death. If a vehicle roof fails to provide adequate protection to the people inside, the consequences can be devastating. Common crushed roof injuries include:
- Amputations
- Internal Organ Trauma
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Wrongful Death
Automobile manufacturers are obligated to design and sell vehicles that offer reasonable safety for vehicle passengers from foreseeable harm, including rollover accidents. If an individual has suffered an injury or death as a result of a defective vehicle roof, the manufacturer may be held responsible for incurred damages.
Amputations and Car Accidents
The removal of part or all of an extremity is known as an amputation. These often involve arms, hands, feet, fingers, toes or legs. An individual is likely to suffer a greater impairment when an amputation is close to the core of the body. Following are top reasons why a surgical amputation may be needed:
- Inadequate circulation to an extremity due to a medical condition
- Frostbite
- Suffering a serious crushing blow to an extremity in a motor vehicle collision
- Severe burn injury to an extremity
- When a cancerous tumor of a body part cannot be removed
An amputation procedure is performed in a hospital with an average stay of one to two weeks for recovery.
Traumatic Amputations
The following list includes some of the most common types of traumatic amputations:
- Car accidents
- Constriction by rope or wire leading to an amputation
- Burns to the extremities
- Degloving injuries
- Electrical shock
- Farm accidents
- Firework amputations
- Having a door slam on a part of an extremity
- Machinery amputations
Returning back to your daily activities as an amputee may be extremely difficult, especially when facing mounting medical expenses. If you or a member of your family has suffered an amputation in an accident caused by a negligent party or entity, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Modesto for more information.
Modesto Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto personal injury attorney. Suffering an amputation following an accident is emotionally devastating and beginning life as an amputee can be a challenge. If you or someone you love has experienced this, please feel free to contact me anytime at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly case advice.
I have assisted residents of Northern California, including those from Modesto, in recovering fair compensation for their wrongful death and personal injury claims for over 3 decades.
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To learn more about our past cases and their results, please visit my Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Attribution: By “Elfiepenn” via Pixabay
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