This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Ruben Davidoff following our comprehensive editorial guidelines Ruben Davidoff ,the Founding Partner, has 30+ years of legal experience as a New York personal injury attorney.
A car crash can lead to many types of injuries, but crush injuries are some of the most severe. These injuries often involve broken bones, nerve damage, or loss of movement in the arms, legs, or torso. In some cases, they may even lead to amputation or death. The effects are long-lasting and may change your life forever.
At Davidoff Law, our Queens car accident crush injury lawyer helps people who suffer from these painful and life-changing injuries. We know how hard it is to deal with the medical costs, lost wages, and emotional stress that follow a serious crash. Our legal team works with experts to understand your injuries and build a strong case.
If your injury happened in a Queens car wreck, we are here to help you hold the negligent driver accountable and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
Table of Contents
What Is a Crush Injury After a Car Accident?
Crush injuries happen when a part of the body gets trapped, squeezed, or pinned during a car accident. This can lead to serious damage to bones, muscles, and organs. These types of car accident injuries are common in high-speed crashes or motor vehicle accidents involving large vehicles or multiple cars. Victims often need surgery, long hospital stays, and years of recovery.
Why Crush Injuries Are Considered Catastrophic
Crush injuries are considered catastrophic injuries because they often cause long-term problems or permanent disability. These injuries can affect a person’s ability to walk, work, or care for themselves. They may also lead to spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, or even traumatic brain injuries. Many victims also suffer emotional trauma and post traumatic stress disorder after the event.
Common Types of Crush Injuries in Car Accidents
Crush injuries can happen in many different ways during a car accident. When parts of the body are trapped or squeezed by metal, doors, or other vehicles, the damage can be serious. These injuries are often seen in accidents in Queens, especially in high-speed crashes or collisions involving large vehicles or multiple cars.
Limb Crush Injuries (Arms, Legs, Hands, Feet)
Limb crush injuries are some of the most painful and disabling car accident injuries. They often involve broken bones, deep cuts, and muscle damage. Victims may lose feeling or movement in the limb, and some may even face amputation.
These injuries usually require surgery and long-term care to recover. A Queens car accident lawyer can help you seek payment for your medical costs and time away from work.
Torso and Chest Compression Injuries
When the chest or stomach is crushed in a car accident, it can cause serious harm to organs like the lungs, heart, and liver. These injuries may lead to internal injuries, trouble breathing, and lasting pain. Immediate medical treatment is often needed.
In car accident cases like these, victims may also suffer long-term problems that affect their daily life and ability to work.
Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome is a dangerous condition that can happen after a crush injury. It occurs when swelling builds up in the muscles and cuts off blood flow. This can lead to severe pain, numbness, and permanent damage if not treated quickly.
In car accident cases, this condition often develops in the arms or legs and may require surgery right away. Without fast medical treatment, the affected area could lose function completely.
Crush Injuries With Secondary Complications
Some car accident injuries lead to more health problems later on. These are called secondary complications and may include infections, nerve damage, or even kidney failure caused by muscle breakdown. Victims may also experience emotional trauma, long-term pain, and limited movement. These issues often raise medical bills and may require future care.
A Queens car accident lawyer can include these added costs in your car accident claim to help you recover full damages.
Legal Rights of Crush Injury Victims in Queens
If you suffered a crush injury in a car accident, you may have the right to take legal action. Many accident victims in Queens car crashes can file a personal injury lawsuit if another driver caused the collision. Knowing your rights under New York law can help you seek fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
When You Can File a Lawsuit for a Car Crash Injury
You can file a car accident lawsuit if your injuries are serious and someone else caused the crash. This includes cases involving distracted driving, speeding, or failure to follow traffic rules. Under New York law, crush injuries often meet the serious injury threshold.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help prove that your injury qualifies and file your car accident claim on time.
Proving Fault and Liability
To win a car accident lawsuit, you must show that the other driver was at fault. This means proving they acted carelessly or broke traffic laws. Your Queens auto accident lawyer will use police reports, photos of the accident scene, witness statements, and medical records to build your case. These details show how the crash happened and how your injuries were caused by the negligent driver.
Liability in Multi-Vehicle or Commercial Accidents
In accidents involving trucks, buses, or several cars, more than one party may be responsible. A Queens car accident attorney can help figure out who is at fault. This could include:
- A commercial driver’s employer who failed to train or supervise the driver
- A vehicle owner who didn’t maintain their car
- Another driver’s insurance company if their policyholder caused the crash
In complex car accident cases, your lawyer will gather evidence and hold all responsible parties accountable.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
After a serious car accident, victims often face high costs and lasting hardships. If your crush injury was caused by someone else, you may be able to recover money through a car accident claim. A Queens car accident lawyer can help you pursue fair compensation for your medical needs, lost income, and the long-term effects on your daily life.
Medical Expenses and Future Treatment
Crush injuries usually involve high medical bills. These can include emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, and rehab. Some accident victims also need care for months or years after the crash. A strong claim should also include future medical expenses, such as follow-up procedures or physical therapy. Your car accident lawyer will work to make sure all your treatment costs are covered.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Beyond physical pain, crush injuries often lead to emotional trauma and long-term distress. You may deal with depression, anxiety, or loss of enjoyment in everyday life. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you seek payment for these non-financial losses. These pain and suffering damages reflect the full impact the injury has had on your health and well-being.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
If your injuries kept you from working, you may be able to recover lost wages. This includes income you missed during recovery and time spent at medical appointments. If your ability to work has been reduced, your car accident attorney may also pursue damages for lost future earnings. These losses are common in catastrophic injuries that cause long-term disability.
Home Modifications and Mobility Equipment
Some crush injuries limit how you move or take care of yourself. You may need to change your home by adding ramps, widening doorways, or installing safety bars. Mobility aids like wheelchairs, walkers, or lifts can also be expensive. A Queens car accident lawyer can include these costs in your car accident claim to help you maintain your independence.
How Long Do You Have to File a Crush Injury Claim in New York?
Under New York law, there are strict time limits for filing a car accident lawsuit. If you wait too long, you may lose your chance to recover damages. A Queens car accident lawyer can help you file your car accident claim before the deadline and protect your right to seek fair compensation.
New York’s Statute of Limitations
In most car accident cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York. This law applies to claims involving serious injuries, including crush injuries. Missing this deadline may result in losing your legal right to compensation, no matter how strong your case is.
Exceptions and Tolling
Some situations allow more time. For example, if the injured person is a minor or legally disabled, the clock may pause, or "toll." Lawsuits against public agencies also have shorter deadlines. A Queens car accident attorney can explain if any exceptions apply to your case and make sure your claim is filed on time.
FAQs
Are crush injuries considered common car accident injuries?
No, crush injuries are not as common as broken bones or whiplash, but they do happen in serious auto accident cases, especially rear end collisions, truck crashes, or high-speed wrecks. These types of physical injuries often require emergency care and long-term recovery.
What if the other driver's insurance company denies my claim?
If the other driver's insurance company refuses to pay or offers too little, a queens car accident lawyer can step in. They can negotiate with insurance companies and, if needed, file a lawsuit to fight for full compensation.
Should I seek medical treatment even if I feel okay after the crash?
Yes. Many motor vehicle accident victims don’t feel pain right away. Some serious injuries take time to appear. Always seek medical treatment after any crash to catch hidden damage early and protect your health and legal rights.
Can I file a claim if the crash was caused by drunk driving?
Yes. If a drunk driver caused the crash, you can file a motor vehicle accident case against them. These cases often result in higher settlements due to the reckless behavior involved.
Can families file claims for a loved one who died from a crush injury?
Yes. If a family member passed away due to a crash-related injury, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. These are common in severe accidents in Queens where victims don’t survive their injuries.
Contact Our Queens Car Accident Crush Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered a crush injury in a Queens car accident, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. At Davidoff Law, our Queens car accident crush injury lawyer is ready to help you file a strong Queens car accident lawsuit and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Our law firm handles serious auto accident lawsuits across Queens and the surrounding areas. We have a proven track record of helping clients recover damages for hospital bills, lost wages, and long-term care. You will never pay us upfront -- we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Our legal team will review your case, explain your rights, and guide you through every step of the process. Let us help you get the justice and support you need.
