If you have gotten into a crash or know someone who has, you may have seen crush injuries occur. Crush or crushing injuries are caused by heavy items crushing down parts of the body. They can lead to shattered bones, severe bleeding and other problems.
Crushing injuries can be life-changing, so it’s important to seek medical care for them as soon as possible. Then, those with injuries may be able to pursue a claim to get compensated, too.
When could you see crushing injuries?
Crushing injuries are fairly common in car crashes, especially when those crashes are severe. For example, if you’re involved in a crash with a semi-truck, the likelihood of a crushing injury is higher because of the weight discrepancy between the two vehicles.
Another time you may see crushing injuries is if there was a high-speed crash. A high-speed head-on collision, for example, may result in crushing injuries to the front-seat passenger and driver as the front end of the vehicle collapses. In rear-end crashes, those in the back seats may be pushed forward and crushed against the seats in the front of the vehicle.
Crushing injuries can also happen in roll-over collisions. If your vehicle rolls, it’s possible to have the roof collapse down and crush the people inside. If another vehicle rolls over on yours, the weight could cause parts of your vehicle to collapse and cause crushing injuries.
What do you need to know about crushing injuries?
Crush injuries can lead to crush syndrome, compartment syndrome and other serious problems. If a crushing injury occurs in a crash, first aid includes immobilizing the person who has been injured and trying to stop any bleeding that is occurring. Calling 911 and waiting for help is important, because relieving the pressure on a limb or other part of the body could turn deadly due to toxins building up in the body.
If you or someone you love have a crushing injury from a crash, it’s a smart choice to get to know your legal options. You may be able to make a personal injury claim to seek compensation as you focus on your recovery.