Car crashes are unfortunately all too common on America’s roads and highways; the National Safety Council estimates that there were 3,160 fatal car accidents in February of 2023 alone. Car accidents can also cause a broad range of injuries from minor bruises and cuts to severe, life-threatening trauma.

One type of severe injury resulting from a car crash is a crush injury, when a body part is compressed between two objects or surfaces. Crush injuries require extensive medical treatment, and victims may not regain full use of the limb or body part, affecting their quality of life.

If you have sustained a crush injury in a car accident, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

What are Crush Injuries?

Crush injuries occur when a body part is subjected to significant pressure or force, causing damage to the tissues, bones, and organs in the affected area. Crushing injuries can occur in a car crash when a driver or passenger’s body is trapped or compressed between objects, such as the dashboard and steering wheel, or the car’s exterior and another vehicle.

The severity of a crush injury can vary depending on a range of factors, including the amount of force involved, the length of time that the body part was compressed, and the specific location and nature of the injury. Crush injuries can result in various complications, including internal bleeding, nerve damage, organ failure, and even death.

Common types of crush injuries resulting from car crashes include head and neck injuries, chest and lung injuries, abdominal injuries, and limb injuries. These injuries can be severe when combined with other types of trauma, such as whiplash.

How Can Car Accidents Cause a Crush Injury?

Crush injuries can happen in car accidents when outside objects, such as light posts, trees, guardrails, or other vehicles, push into the car’s interior. They can also occur when the force of the impact compacts the car, crushing the occupants against interior objects like seatbelts, the steering wheel, or the dashboard. Other ways a car accident can cause a crush injury include:

  • Collision with a heavy object: A car may collide with a heavy object, such as a wall or a truck, which can cause the car to crumple and lead to passenger crush injuries.
  • Rollover accidents: In a rollover accident, the car’s weight can crush the occupants, causing severe injuries or death.
  • Getting trapped in the car: If a vehicle is crushed or mangled in an accident, the occupants may become trapped in the wreckage. This can lead to crush injuries from the pressure of the metal or other materials pressing against the body.
  • Airbag deployment: While airbags are designed to protect passengers in a collision, they can also cause crush injuries. Airbags deploy in less than 1⁄20 of a second with tremendous force, which can crush or break bones in the face, chest, or limbs.
  • Seatbelt injuries: Seatbelts are also designed to protect occupants, but they can also cause crush injuries in some cases. For example, if a seatbelt is worn improperly or malfunctions, it can cause internal or crush injuries to the chest or abdomen.

What Type of Medical Expenses are Required to Treat a Crush Injury?

The initial treatment of a crush injury involves emergency medical intervention, such as stabilizing the airway, controlling bleeding, and managing pain. This may require hospitalization in an intensive care unit or trauma center, where specialized medical professionals can provide the necessary care.

Following the initial stabilization phase, ongoing medical care may be required to address the long-term consequences of the injury. This may include surgical intervention to repair damaged tissues and bones, physical therapy, and rehabilitation to help the patient regain mobility and functionality. In some cases, patients may also require psychological counseling to address the emotional and psychological impacts of the injury, like PTSD or depression.

The costs associated with treatment for crush injuries can be substantial and may include hospitalization fees, surgical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and medication costs. Patients may also incur expenses related to travel and lodging when traveling for treatment, as well as lost income due to time off work while recovering. 

What Can Compensation Cover if You Suffer a Crush Injury in a Crash?

If you suffer a crush injury in a crash, you may be able to recover compensation to cover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses you have suffered, while non-economic damages refer to intangible losses that are not easily measurable. Some examples of economic damages that may be covered if you suffer a crush injury in a crash:

  • Medical expenses: This may include the cost of hospitalization, medical treatment, therapy, medications, and rehabilitation. You may be able to recover compensation for past as well as future medical expenses related to your injury.
  • Lost wages: If you are unable to work due to your injury, you can recover compensation for the income you have lost. This includes both past and future lost wages.
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses: This includes any other expenses you have incurred as a result of the crash, such as transportation costs to medical appointments or the cost of hiring someone to help with household tasks while you are unable to while recovering.

Non-economic damages may include:

  • Pain and suffering: This includes any physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish you have experienced due to the crash.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries have prevented you from participating in activities and hobbies you enjoy, you may be able to recover compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.
  • Loss of consortium: If your injuries have adversely impacted your relationship with your partner or spouse, they may be able to recover damages for loss of consortium.
  • Disfigurement or scarring: If you have suffered visible scarring or disfigurement due to your crush injury, you may be able to recover compensation.

The specific damages that you may be able to recover will depend on the facts of your case. It is important to consult with a qualified Indiana auto accident attorney to determine your legal rights and options for recovering compensation.

File for Compensation Today

Crush injuries resulting from car crashes can devastate victims and their families. The medical expenses, lost income, and the pain and suffering associated with these injuries can be significant, placing a financial and emotional burden on victims and their loved ones.

We urge anyone who has suffered a crush injury in a car crash to contact our legal team to schedule a free consultation. With our track record of success and commitment to client satisfaction, we are confident that we can help you get the financial compensation you deserve.