Crushing Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

There are many horrible consequences that can occur due to a motorcycle accident. Crushing injuries are among the worst because it can result in permanent debilitation or even death. When someone suffers this type of injury, they often require around-the-clock care.

Please speak with a Jones Law Group motorcycle accident attorney immediately if you or a loved one suffered a crushing injury in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s carelessness. We’ll do all we can to ensure the at-fault party faces full accountability for their negligence. Schedule a free case review by contacting us online or calling (727) 571-1333.

What is a Crushing Injury?

A crushing injury occurs when a body part is subjected to significant force or pressure, damaging the underlying tissues, organs, and bones. It’s characterized by the compression or entrapment of body parts between two objects or within a confined space.

The force applied to the body exceeds its capacity to sustain and absorb the impact, leading to severe physical damage. 

Crushing injuries can include fractures, dislocations, muscle and tissue damage, internal bleeding, and nerve damage. They can also lead to amputations. The severity of the injury depends on factors such as the magnitude of the force, duration of compression, and the specific body part involved.

How Do Motorcycle Accidents Cause Crushing Injuries?

Motorcycle accidents can result in crushing injuries due to the vulnerability of riders and the lack of physical protection. When a motorcycle collides with a larger vehicle, such as a car or truck, the rider is at a higher risk of being trapped or pinned between the motorcycle and the other vehicle or the surrounding environment. 

The impact of the collision, coupled with the weight and force exerted on the rider’s body, can lead to the compression and crushing of their limbs, torso, or head.

The absence of safety features like airbags or seat belts increases the likelihood of severe injuries. In some cases, motorcycles may also slide or overturn, causing the rider to be trapped underneath, resulting in crushing injuries.

Symptoms of Crushing Injuries

There are many different symptoms of a crushing injury. The intensity of the symptoms will largely depend on the injury’s severity. Common symptoms include:

• Severe pain: Crushing injuries often cause intense pain due to tissue damage, fractures, and nerve compression.

• Swelling and bruising: The affected area may swell and develop bruising due to bleeding and inflammation.

• Deformity: In severe crushing injuries, visible deformity or misalignment of the affected body part may occur.

• Limited mobility or paralysis: Crushing injuries can result in reduced movement or complete immobility of the affected body part. In some cases, paralysis may occur if nerves are severely damaged.

• Numbness or tingling: Nerve compression or damage can lead to numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the injured area.

• Difficulty breathing: If the chest or torso is crushed, breathing difficulties may arise due to rib fractures or damage to the respiratory system.

• Internal bleeding: Crushing injuries can cause internal bleeding, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or pale skin.

• Shock: Severe crushing injuries can lead to shock, characterized by symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, pale skin, and confusion.

Crush Syndrome

Crush syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when there is prolonged compression of a body part, such as in cases of severe crushing injuries. Toxic substances, including myoglobin, often enter the bloodstream when the pressure on the injured area is suddenly relieved. 

These toxins can overwhelm the kidneys, leading to acute kidney injury and renal failure. Crush syndrome requires prompt medical attention, as it can 

result in various complications affecting the cardiovascular, renal, and respiratory systems.

How Much Does a Crushing Injury Cost?

The cost of a crushing injury can be substantial, considering the medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care it may require. A crushing injury can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over the victim’s lifetime. Some of these expenses include the following:

• Emergency medical care: Immediate medical attention, ambulance services, and emergency room treatment.

• Surgeries: Surgical interventions to repair fractures, address internal injuries, or perform amputations if necessary.

• Hospitalization: Costs related to hospital stays, including room charges, medical procedures, medication, and nursing care.

• Medications: The cost of prescribed medications to manage pain, prevent infection, or address other specific medical needs.

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation: Expenses associated with rehabilitation services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and specialized therapies to regain function and mobility.

• Assistive devices: The cost of mobility aids, prosthetics, wheelchairs, crutches, or other devices required for daily activities and mobility can also be astronomical.

Recovering Damages for a Crushing Injury

“Damages” are the financial losses a victim incurs after someone else causes an accident. If you take legal action, your attorney will help you recover your damages. These are just a few examples.

Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity

You may be able to pursue compensation for the income you’ve lost because you can’t work. If the accident reduces your potential future earning capacity, you could obtain money for that as well. You might have to accept a lower-paying position, or you might not be able to work at all. 

Pain and Suffering

These are damages awarded for the physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress experienced due to the crushing injury. Unlike medical bills and lost wages, pain and suffering damages are subjective. They’re much harder to prove without the help of a skilled lawyer.

Disability and Disfigurement

You may also be eligible for compensation for long-term disabilities, impairments, or disfigurement caused by the injury. These consequences may impact your quality of life, self-esteem, and ability to engage in daily activities.

A skilled personal injury attorney can spell out your legal options and assist in pursuing compensation for your damages. These are a few steps your attorney will take to help you obtain the money you deserve.

• Case evaluation: The attorney will review the details of the accident, gather evidence, and assess the extent of the crushing injury and its impact on the victim’s life.

• Insurance claims: Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to seek fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

• Building a solid case: The attorney will collect evidence and speak with witnesses. In many instances, a lawyer will also speak with medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists. These experts can provide testimony that helps prove you weren’t to blame for the accident.

• Lawsuit filing: The vast majority of cases settle out of court. But if the insurance company refuses to give you what you deserve, your attorney will likely file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. Both parties will continue to negotiate. But your attorney will be ready to take the case to trial if necessary.

Contact Jones Law Group to Speak with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

A Jones Law Group attorney will work passionately to protect your rights and help you obtain maximum compensation. You focus on your recovery. We’ll take care of everything else. Use