Many types of injuries can occur in a car crash. However, few are as devastating as crush injuries. While common injuries such as whiplash or fractures can certainly cause pain and suffering, crush injuries can result in life-long disability and disfigurement.
Understanding crush injuries and their consequences can help you know how much you may be eligible to receive in a compensation claim if another driver’s negligence caused your injuries. Our Michigan car accident lawyers at Fieger Law can help you calculate your damages and fight for the maximum settlement to pay for your damages.
What are Crush Injuries?
In medical terms, a crush injury occurs when a force or pressure is applied to a body part, causing serious damage to the underlying muscles, tissues, and bones. These injuries are often more complex than other types of injuries because of the possibility of complications, such as compartment syndrome and crush syndrome. These severe conditions can lead to muscle and nerve damage, may require amputation of the affected limb, and can even be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
If you suffered a severe crush injury in a collision, speak with our attorneys at Fieger Law. We can use our experience in auto accident cases to review your medical records as well as police reports to determine fault and help you seek adequate compensation to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Do Crush Injuries Happen in Car Accidents?
During a car crash, especially high speed crashes, it’s not uncommon for part of the vehicle to collapse or compress, leading to the passengers inside suffering a crush injury. These injuries can happen to different body parts, resulting in complications.
- Crushed limbs: During severe collisions, particularly head-on and side-impact crashes, occupants’ legs or arms might be crushed by the crumpled car’s interior. For instance, the steering wheel, dashboard, or door might be forced into the occupant’s space, crushing their extremities.
- Chest crush injuries: In a serious frontal collision, a driver or passenger may be thrust forward into the seatbelt or steering wheel, leading to potential chest crush injuries. This can damage the lungs, heart, and other vital organs.
- Abdominal crush injuries: The sudden force during a vehicle collision can cause abdominal crush injuries. These types of injuries can be particularly dangerous due to potential damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, or spleen, causing internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening.
- Crushed extremities: Fingers and toes are particularly vulnerable in car accidents. They can be crushed if trapped between the crumpled parts of the car, leading to amputation and life-long disability.
- Crush injuries to the head and neck can occur in rollover accidents when the car’s roof gets crushed. They can also happen in side-impact crashes if the side of the vehicle where a person is seated is severely compressed. Head and neck crush injuries can cause Traumatic Brain Injuries or Spinal Cord Injuries, resulting in paralysis or cognitive impairments.
Your attorney at Fieger Law can examine your medical records to determine the extent of your crush injuries. We will consult with crush injury experts to accurately estimate the lifetime cost of your damages and calculate possible pain and suffering for your settlement.
How Much Compensation Can You Expect After Suffering a Crush Injury in a Crash?
If you’ve suffered a crush injury in a car accident, your road to recovery might be steep, often involving costly medical treatments and significant time away from work. You have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and other damages. This compensation typically covers both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the tangible costs of your injury, including immediate and ongoing medical expenses. Emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, medication costs, and even future medical care related to your injury fall under this category.
If your injury forces you to take time off work or limits your ability to work in the future, you can seek compensation for lost wages and earning capacity.
Non-economic damages address the intangible costs of your injury. These include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries.
While no amount of money can undo the pain and trauma of a crush injury, financial compensation can provide critical support during your recovery. An experienced personal injury lawyer from Fieger Law can guide you through the process and help you understand how much in damages you may be entitled to claim.
We have won millions for those who suffered injuries in auto accidents, including $30 million for a woman struck by a Ryder Truck and $15 million for a client in a vehicle accident in Wayne County, Michigan. We will aggressively support your interests to help you recover fair compensation for your crush injuries.
Contact Fieger Law for Help Pursuing Compensation
Car crashes are traumatic experiences that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. At Fieger Law, we understand the devastation crush injuries after car accidents can cause and are committed to fighting for your rights.
If you’ve suffered a crush injury in a car crash, contact Fieger Law today. Schedule a free consultation, and together we’ll take the first step toward your financial recovery.
