A crush injury happens when a person is crushed by the weight of an object or compressed between two objects. This can happen to the entire body, a segment of the body, or a single limb or digit. These kinds of injuries can be incredibly traumatic and have life-threatening consequences. Crush injuries are common in motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, and in other situations where force and heavy objects are involved. If you have been injured in an accident that caused a crush injury you may be able to seek compensation for your damages through an injury claim.
How Do Crush Injuries Happen?
Crush injuries often happen when one or more parties is negligent when it comes to operating a vehicle, machinery, and other heavy objects. The most common cause of crush injuries is motor vehicle accidents. When someone operates a vehicle in an unsafe manner, they risk causing harm to those around them. Crush injuries can occur during car accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, and any other type of motor vehicle collision. They can also occur during construction accidents and other workplace incidents. The following are some of the most common causes of crush injuries.
Car accidents - Because of the extreme amount of force exhibited during a car accident, they are common causes of crush injuries. Some types of car accidents are more likely to result in a crush injury than others. For example, t-bone accidents and rollover accidents are particularly common causes of crush injuries.
Bicycle accidents - According to the Illinois Vehicle Code, bicyclists have the same rights to the road as drivers do. However, bicyclists are at an increased risk of crush injuries compared to drivers and passengers in a car. This is because bicycle riders don't have the same protective barriers to protect against a crush injury. Bicycle crush injuries commonly occur when a rider is pinned between two vehicles or between a vehicle and another hard surface like the road.
Pedestrian accidents - Crush injuries contribute to nearly 6,000 pedestrian deaths each year. Similar to bike riders, pedestrians have very little protection from the weight of a vehicle. Drivers may overlook traffic lights and stop signs that would allow pedestrians to safely cross the street.
Motorcycle crashes - Motorcyclists can be crushed between two vehicles when careless drivers don’t give themselves enough time and space to brake. Motorcycles can also be crushed under their own bikes since motorcycles themselves weigh hundreds of pounds. That is enough weight to significantly injure arms, legs, and other body parts caught under a motorcycle.
Truck collisions - Semi trucks weigh tens of thousands of pounds. They are also difficult to stop and to steer away from danger. Because of this, they can cause severe motor vehicle collisions. When a vehicle is struck by a semi truck, the resulting force can pin a person into their car or cause serious crush injuries to passengers’ limbs.
Workplace injuries - Workplaces that deal with heavy equipment or products are surrounded by crush injury hazards. Construction sites, warehouses, farms, and garbage collection are some of the industries where crush injuries happen most often. These incidents can occur because of employee negligence, lack of safety procedures, or improper training.
Construction site accidents - Construction sites are some of the most dangerous workplaces. About 20% of worker fatalities each year occur in the construction industry. Workers at construction sites can be crushed by falling objects, pinned against heavy machinery, or injured by any one of the other heavy objects on a construction site.
Crush Injuries Can Be Devastating
Crush injuries are caused by prolonged compression of the torso, limbs, or other parts of the body. This type of injury often results in damage to soft tissue, bones, muscles, and nerves. Crush injuries can also severely damage internal organs. Serious crush injuries often require intense ongoing treatment, long periods of rehabilitation, and many major life changes. Common types of crush injuries include:
Because of the severe nature of crush injuries, complications are common. The intense pressure placed on muscles and nerves causes them to disintegrate. In many cases, the damage is irreversible. Crush syndrome can affect any area of the body, causing the following physical problems:
Because of the severe nature of a crush injury, the resulting damage can add up quickly. Medical bills, rehab costs, missed time from work, and pain and suffering can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars after a crush injury. Fortunately, Illinois law allows victims to recover compensation for financial losses through a personal injury claim. Damages crush injury victims can seek compensation for include:
Medical Costs (Emergency room fees, long-term medical costs, visits to specialists, outpatient services, prescription drugs, surgery, medical equipment, and rehabilitative treatment)
Lost income (Lost wages from missed work, diminished earning potential, and future lost income)
Pain and suffering (Disfigurement, permanent disability, and reduced quality of life)
Wrongful death of a family member
Contact Our Chicago Crush Injury Attorneys Today
Dave Abels If you or a loved one has sustained a crush injury because of someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes. We understand how devastating a crush injury can be and how desperate the need for compensation can be. We have helped thousands of Illinois injury victims to recover the money they need to rebuild their lives and move on from their injuries. Our initial consultations are always free. Call us at 312-924-7575 or contact us online to speak to an attorney today.
