Any accident involving a motor vehicle can be devastating. Some accidents have the potential to create even more damage, difficult-to-treat conditions, and sometimes fatalities. Crushing accidents are one example of this. If you’ve suffered a crushing injury as a result of a car accident, don’t wait to contact a personal injury attorney for immediate help.
What Is a Crush Injury?
A crush injury occurs when a person is pinned or otherwise crushed by the excessive pressure placed on their extremities or whole body. This type of accident causes traumatic injuries because of the force present. Common injuries after such accidents include:
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Limb loss
- Infection
- Fractures
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
How Can a Crush Injury Happen in a Car Accident?
Car accidents like this often happen at a high rate of speed and result in one vehicle striking the other with such force that anything caught between the two objects gets crushed. Sometimes the engine of a vehicle may come into the car itself due to that force, crushing a person in their seat. Other times, a driver may strike the back of a truck with enough force that the smaller vehicle is compacted against the larger, heavier truck.
Serious Conditions Resulting From Crush Injuries
Serious injuries are common in crush accidents. These injuries are often complicated, requiring aggressive medical intervention immediately. Oftentimes, these crashes lead to difficult recoveries, including from conditions such as the following:
- Limb amputation. In some situations, limb ischemia occurs. The crushing action leads to the loss of blood supply to the extremity. This may require amputation if doctors cannot restore blood flow quickly.
- Compartment syndrome. Crushing injuries sometimes cause so much pressure and force on an area that the muscles swell quickly, limiting blood flow to the nerves and cells in that area. This can cause severe pain and, in some cases, it may create an immediate need for surgical intervention to restore blood flow to the area.
- Crush syndrome. If the skeletal muscle tissue suffers extreme damage, it can break down the integrity of the cells in that area. The cells begin to die, toxins build up within the body, and a serious metabolic effect occurs, often leading to renal failure.
- Death. Unfortunately, crushing injuries often lead to death. That’s often due to the lack of blood supply to an area, such as the heart, lungs, or brain, as well as the severe trauma to the rest of the body.
What to Do After Suffering a Crush Injury
If you or a companion has suffered a crush injury, it’s critical to seek out support as soon as possible. Calling 911 immediately and being treated at a hospital are the first steps. Once treatment stabilizes, you may still need to spend some time in the hospital regaining your ability to walk and function as you did.
It’s always important to protect your right to compensation in these cases. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to pressure victims into settling claims quickly for less than what’s owed. While you focus on recovery, let an experienced car accident attorney help you through difficult legal matters.
Why Call Lathrop Law After Your Nebraska Car Accident
Crushing accidents can cause complicated outcomes, including permanent disability, long-term recovery, and years of rehabilitation. You may struggle to regain the life you once lived. That’s why you need a legal team by your side to support your best outcome. Let us protect your rights to compensation. We’re here to help you as the victim or through the difficulties of a wrongful death claim if you’ve lost a loved one.
The Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop, PC, LLC, is here to support you through this difficult time. We’re happy to discuss your needs after a devastating accident has left you with numerous medical bills and a long rehabilitation. Fill out our contact form to get started.
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