crush injuries

The Risks of Crush Injuries After a Car Crash

The human body can only withstand so much force before something has to give. When you’re involved in a car crash, an enormous amount of pressure is generated, and it has to go somewhere. If you are squeezed between objects or otherwise subject to extreme pressure, you may suffer a crush injury. These injuries can be severe, leaving you with chronic pain, a loss of mobility, and other issues.

It’s time to talk to the team at Gardner Law Firm if you have been hurt in a car crash. Call us at 228-436-6555 to schedule a consultation right now.

How Crush Injuries Happen in a Collision

A crush injury can occur when a body part—or in some cases, the entire body—is caught between two forces. As long as one of the objects is applying force, a crush injury could occur.

Consider, for example, a rollover accident where a vehicle rolls over a person’s arm. The force of the vehicle and the ground are the two objects causing the crush injury. A crush injury can cause an enormous amount of damage. Some of the ways a crush injury can happen in a car crash include:

  • A heavy object flying up from the rear of a car and pinning a body part to a window or dashboard.
  • Cargo from another vehicle crushing part of your car, causing you to become pinned down.
  • A tractor-trailer running over part of a vehicle and crushing the person inside.
  • A car’s engine getting pushed into the passenger compartment of the vehicle and crushing a body part.
  • A pedestrian being hit by a car and becoming pinned between the car and a wall.

Common Types of Crush Injuries

Crush injuries can cause many types of damage, depending on which body parts are affected and how heavy the force is. Common issues that may arise include:

  • Severe bruising caused by damage to the skin.
  • Nerve damage, which can be permanent and damage the functionality of the affected areas.
  • Extensive bleeding, especially if blood vessels are ruptured.
  • Muscle strains, sprains, and tears.
  • Ruptured organs.
  • Deep cuts.
  • Broken bones—crushed bones can be impossible to repair in some cases.
  • Internal bleeding.
  • Amputated body parts.

As you can see, crush injuries can be life-threatening. This highlights the importance of getting checked out as soon as possible after a car accident. What appears to be deep and painful bruising could be a sign of a crush injury that may threaten your life.

Remember, after a crush injury, your nerves, blood vessels, and muscles could be severely damaged. In these situations, the best outcomes generally happen when treatment begins immediately. A full medical workup can expose all of your injuries and help you get started on your treatment.

Depending on the severity of your injuries and how successful your treatment is, long-term side effects could follow. Limb ischemia can cause cardiovascular issues and lead to amputation. This happens when blood flow is severely restricted in one part of the body. Other possible long-term problems include crush syndrome and hyperkalemia.

Getting the Compensation That You Deserve

Medical care is incredibly expensive in the United States, and it’s one of the biggest parts of most car accident settlements. This is especially true when crush injuries are involved, as you may need surgical treatments, reconstructive treatments, and substantial follow-up care. In addition, you’ll likely need compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses suffered during your accident.

Working with a personal injury attorney is always recommended after a car accident, but it’s even more important when you’re recovering from crush injuries. It’s likely that your medical expenses are extraordinarily high, and you could be looking at months of physical therapy and time away from work. An attorney can help you fight for full compensation.

Reach Out to Gardner Law Firm to Fight for Fair Compensation

The team at Gardner Law Firm is here to support you through this challenging time. Our goal is to secure the compensation you’re owed for your car accident injuries. Set up a time to talk to an attorney now by contacting us online or calling us at 228-436-6555.