Have you suffered from a crush injury?

When discussing motor vehicle accidents, one form of injury often escapes the public's attention: crush injuries. These horrific injuries can result in life-long scarring and disabilities and often end up fatal. Many are caused by truck accidents, electric vehicle accidents, and other heavy vehicle accidents.

How many drivers end up experiencing crush injuries? How many accidents and crashes involve crush injuries? And what does life look like after a crush injury for the victims suffering from it?

What causes crush injuries?

Medline Plus takes a look at crush injuries, which can occur on and off the road. Many drivers do not have to worry about life-threatening crush injuries due to the design of the cars, which frequently aim to protect a driver and passengers from fatal harm.

However, a crush injury may occur any time part of your body ends up compressed by a larger or heavier object. Examples specific to car crashes can include getting pinned under a car seat if the car flips over, or having your hands pinned between the steering wheel and the crushed side of the door.

What dictates the damage?

The extent of the damage caused by a crush incident will depend on several factors. This may include the length of time the object spent in contact with your body, how much area suffered from the pressure, and how quickly you got medical attention.

Some of the more serious side effects can include sepsis, blood infection, gangrene and amputation. You may even suffer from organ failure or brain damage depending on how much of your circulatory system ends up impeded or damaged.

Victims of crush injuries often experience months or years of recovery, injuries that make working impossible, and high hospital bills. If you find yourself in similar circumstances, consider contacting an attorney to learn about compensation options.