Crush Injuries in a Car Accident
Some car crashes are minor fender-benders in which a person escapes unscathed, without any injuries. But then there are severe ones in which a person suffers catastrophic injuries. It’s possible that a person can suffer crush injuries.
A crush injury occurs when extreme force or pressure is placed on a body part. This can happen in a car accident when a body part is squeezed by one or more heavy objects. Even at low speeds, a car accident can create a lot of force.
A crush injury is likely to occur in these situations:
- Being in an underride accident with a tractor-trailer.
- An object breaking through the windshield and hitting someone inside the vehicle.
- Being involved in an accident and getting stuck between your vehicle and a median, guardrail, or other fixed object.
- Being crushed by components of the vehicle in a rollover crash.
- Being in the middle of a high-speed car crash that crushes your car and forces you into the dashboard.
A crush injury can cause significant damage to the body, including the following:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Nerve injury
- Severe pain
- Muscle soreness
- Difficulty breathing
- Infections
Complications
Crush injuries can cause long-term medical issues, including the following:
- Limb ischemia. This occurs when a limb is crushed, restricting blood flow to the area. The result could be cardiovascular issues as well as limb amputations.
- Crush syndrome. A crush injury can cause rapid cell death. When these cells die, they release toxins into the bloodstream. These toxins can cause kidney failure and heart attacks.
- Compartment syndrome. This occurs when there is a huge increase in pressure inside a muscle. This can cause restricted blood flow and pain, resulting in numbness, low pulse, and paralysis.
Crush Injuries and Paralysis
While some crush injuries might be temporary, it is possible that you may develop paralysis, which is often permanent. For you to be able to move, your brain must send signals down your spinal cords and through various nerves. These nerves are present in all parts of your body. If heavy objects squeeze part of your body, these nerves can suffer severe damage. Because injured nerves often do not heal, you may lose mobility and sensation for the rest of your life. This paralysis may affect one or both arms or legs, making it difficult to walk and perform everyday tasks.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Crush injuries can lead to many complications. Without treatment, a person can suffer heart attacks, paralysis, and even death.
Car crashes are a common cause of crush injuries. If you or a loved one has been affected, seek legal help from a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC. Discuss your case with us so we can help you get the medical treatment and compensation you need to move on. Schedule a free consultation by calling 281-347-3247 or filling out the online form.
Source:
medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000024.htm#:~:text=A%20crush%20injury%20occurs%20when,Bruising
