Crush injuries are some of the most life-altering injuries a person can suffer—often resulting in long-term disability, permanent damage, intense physical pain, and emotional anguish. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence, the Indianapolis personal injury attorneys at Poynter & Bucheri are ready to fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
We understand the profound toll a catastrophic injury can take—not just on your health but on your livelihood and peace of mind. That’s why we offer a free, no-obligation case review to help you understand your legal rights and begin building a compelling claim.
Call us today at 800-265-9881 or click here to schedule your free consultation with an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer.
What is a Crush Injury?
A crush injury occurs when part of the body is compressed between two heavy objects, resulting in extreme trauma to the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and bones. These catastrophic injuries often stem from severe accidents, such as:
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Fall accidents involving heavy impact or falling objects
- Heavy machinery malfunctions
- Structural collapses
Even when the skin remains unbroken, internal damage may still be present and require extensive medical treatment.
How Truck Accidents Can Cause Crush Injuries
Due to the massive size and weight of commercial vehicles, truck accidents often result in life-altering injuries.
Weight/Force
A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A standard passenger car weighs about 3,000–4,000 pounds. When a truck collides with a smaller vehicle, a large amount of force is exerted, potentially resulting in crush injuries to the passenger vehicle driver and passengers.
Cargo Spills and Falls
Improperly secured cargo, especially heavy items, can shift during a crash and crush anyone in its path—either inside a vehicle or outside as a pedestrian or worker.
When a smaller vehicle is pinned between a semi-truck and another object, or when a truck jackknifes or overturns, occupants can be trapped and crushed inside. Even at lower speeds, the impact from a fully loaded truck can cause devastating harm.
Parts of the Body Most Prone to Crush Injuries
Certain areas of the body are more vulnerable to catastrophic injuries, especially those with limited muscle or fat protection. The most commonly affected areas include:
Extremities – Hands, arms, feet, and legs are frequently injured, as they are often exposed and may become trapped in machinery, under vehicles, or between heavy objects.
Chest and abdomen – In high-impact incidents, such as truck or motor vehicle accidents, crush injuries here can damage vital organs, cause internal bleeding, or impair breathing.
Head, neck, and spine – Though less common, crush trauma in these areas can lead to traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, which may result in lifelong disability or paralysis.
Prompt medical treatment is critical, as delays can result in long-term complications or life-threatening conditions.
If you’ve suffered a life-altering injury, consult a catastrophic injury attorney who can help you pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve through our experience legal representation.
Nerve Damage That May Result From a Crush Injury
Crush injuries often cause significant nerve damage due to the intense pressure placed on the affected area. When nerves are compressed or severed, it can result in a wide range of symptoms, including:
- Numbness
- Tingling or burning sensations
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of movement or coordination
- Complete loss of function in the affected limb
In severe cases, the damage may be permanent. The extent of nerve injury depends on the force of the impact and the duration of compression.
Long-Term Nerve Conditions Caused by Crush Injuries
Some common medical conditions that may result from a crush injury include:
- Neuropathy
- Compartment syndrome
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
These conditions can seriously affect a person’s mobility and quality of life, often requiring long-term medical attention, physical therapy, or surgery.
Because nerve damage is classified as a catastrophic injury, it’s essential to contact a catastrophic injury lawyer as soon as possible. Early legal representation helps preserve critical evidence, build a strong claim, and pursue the compensation you deserve for both physical and emotional suffering. Contact our Indianapolis catastrophic injury attorneys today.
Why Crush Injuries Are Often Considered Catastrophic Injuries in Indiana
In Indiana, crush injuries are often classified as catastrophic injuries due to their severe and lasting impact on a person’s ability to live independently. According to Indiana Code § 35-31.5-2-34.5, a catastrophic injury is one that significantly impairs a person’s ability to live on their own for at least one year.
Catastrophic injuries may include:
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Paralysis
- Intellectual disability
- Traumatic brain injury
Crush injuries are often these types of catastrophic injuries due to extensive damage to muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and bones, and that can result in amputation, long-term or lasting disability, crush syndrome, other life-threatening complications, or even wrongful death—potentially warranting a wrongful death claim. Our law firm can help with your catastrophic injury case, securing a fair settlement for your devastating injuries and chronic pain.
How the Family of a Crush Injury Victim is Affected
When someone suffers a severe injury, the impact extends far beyond the individual. It deeply affects their entire family. Loved ones often take on the role of caregivers, providing physical assistance, emotional support, and sometimes round-the-clock care. This shift can place an enormous strain on relationships, daily routines, and mental health, especially if the injury leads to long-term disability or permanent loss of function.
Financial stress is another significant burden. Families may face monumental medical costs, lost wages (if the injured person was a primary earner), and additional expenses related to home modifications, transportation, or therapy. In many cases, a spouse, parent, or adult child may have to reduce their own work hours or stop working altogether to care for the injured individual.
The emotional and financial toll is overwhelming, which is why working with an experienced personal injury attorney is essential. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation through a personal injury claim, or even a wrongful death claim if your loved one died—providing the financial support your family needs to maintain long-term stability and care for your loved one.
Truck Driver Liability for Crush Injuries After a Semi-Truck Accident
A truck driver may be held liable for a serious personal injury if their negligent or reckless behavior directly caused the accident. Common forms of truck driver negligence include:
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Distracted driving, such as texting
- Driving while fatigued
- Impaired driving
- Failure to yield or obey traffic signals
If a driver acted carelessly or violated traffic laws, they—and potentially their employer—may be legally responsible for the resulting injuries. In a personal injury lawsuit, establishing driver fault is crucial to recovering compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering associated with your crush injury.
To build a strong case and pursue the full compensation you deserve, consult a skilled catastrophic injury lawyer. An experienced attorney can gather evidence, guide you through the legal process, and advocate for your rights every step of the way.
Evidence We Review To Determine Truck Driver Liability
To determine a truck driver’s liability for a crush injury, the legal team at Poynter & Bucheri conducts a thorough investigation. Our injury lawyers review several forms of evidence, including:
- Police reports – Often contain initial findings on fault, statements from involved parties, and any citations issued at the scene
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data – Required for commercial trucks under federal law, ELD records show driving hours. They may reveal violations of Hours of Service regulations.
- Dashcam or surveillance footage – Video from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or the truck itself can help clarify how the accident occurred.
- Witness statements – Independent accounts from bystanders can support claims of negligence or reckless behavior.
- Vehicle damage and crash scene photos – These visuals help illustrate how the collision occurred and whether the damage aligns with driver error.
- Driver employment and training records – May uncover a history of violations, inadequate training, or lack of proper certification
This evidence builds a strong personal injury case, proving fault and identifying all liable parties. It also strengthens your position when negotiating with insurance companies, which often attempt to downplay liability or undervalue claims.
To make sure evidence is preserved and your rights are fully protected, it’s important to work with an experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer who understands the complexities of truck accident cases and will help you seek compensation.
How Expert Witness Testimony Can Strengthen Your Case
Expert witnesses play a vital role in building a strong personal injury claim, especially in complex truck accident cases involving crush or other catastrophic injuries. Their professional insights help clarify what happened, how you’ve been affected, and what compensation you and your catastrophic injury lawyer can pursue.
Types of expert witnesses include:
- Accident reconstruction experts – Use physical evidence, traffic data, and modeling software to determine how the collision occurred and whether the truck driver was at fault
- Medical experts – Testify about the nature and severity of your injuries, your projected recovery timeline, and the long-term physical and emotional effects
- Vocational experts – Evaluate how your injuries impact your ability to work and whether you can return to your previous job or perform comparable employment
- Economic experts – Quantify future costs, such as ongoing medical treatment, lost wages, and diminished earning potential
Expert testimony is beneficial not only for proving fault and identifying all liable parties but also for strengthening your position during settlement negotiations. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts—but with strong documentation and expert support, you’re far more likely to secure a fair settlement that fully accounts for the extent of your injuries.
To guarantee this evidence is gathered correctly and presented, it’s important to work with an experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer who knows how to leverage expert testimony to your advantage.
Medical Damages You Can Recover After a Crush Injury
If you’ve suffered a crush injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover a range of medical damages through a personal injury case. These damages are designed to cover both your immediate and long-term healthcare needs.
Common recoverable medical expenses include:
- Emergency room and hospitalization costs
- Surgical procedures
- Diagnostic testing (e.g., X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
- Medication and physical pain management
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Medical devices or mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, braces)
- Ongoing rehabilitation or in-home care
- Future medical expenses
At Poynter & Bucheri, our legal team works closely with medical professionals to ensure your current and anticipated treatment needs are thoroughly documented through medical records and factored into your case.
How You Can Maximize Your Medical Damages
Maximizing your medical damages after a catastrophic injury starts with thorough documentation and prompt action. One of the most crucial steps you can take is to seek immediate medical attention and follow your treatment plan closely. Delays in care or gaps in treatment can be used by insurance companies to downplay the severity of your injuries.
To strengthen your catastrophic injury case, keep detailed records of:
- Medical appointments and treatments
- Prescriptions and medication schedules
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- The impact on your daily activities and quality of life
Attend all follow-up visits and therapy sessions, even if you’re feeling better—these demonstrate the ongoing impact of the catastrophic injury.
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can further increase your compensation. At Poynter & Bucheri, our personal injury lawyers gather expert opinions, calculate future medical needs, and negotiate insurance claims to make certain your settlement reflects the full scope of your injury and recovery.
Statute of Limitations if Your Crush Injury Claim is Against a Government Entity
If your personal injury case involves a government entity in Indiana—such as a city, county, or state agency—the statute of limitations and legal process differ significantly from those involving private individuals, companies, or insurance companies.
Under Indiana law, you must file a Notice of Tort Claim before you can pursue legal action against a government body. This notice must generally be filed:
- Within 180 days of the injury, if the personal injury claim is against a city or county
- Within 270 days if the personal injury claim is against a state agency
Failing to file this notice within the required timeframe can permanently bar your right to compensation, regardless of how strong your catastrophic injury case may be.
Once the notice is submitted correctly, the standard two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits may still apply. No lawsuit can proceed until the notice period has expired or the government responds to the notice.
If you believe a government vehicle or agency is responsible for your catastrophic injury, consult with an Indianapolis personal injury attorney immediately to protect your rights and ensure all deadlines are met.
FAQS
If you’ve been injured in an accident and sustained catastrophic injuries, you likely have questions about what steps to take next. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding crush injury cases.
Should I call the police after I suffer a crush injury?
Yes. If your catastrophic injury occurred in a vehicle accident, workplace incident, or due to a hazardous condition, you should contact the police immediately. A police report creates an official record of the incident, often including witness statements, fault assessments, and scene details, which can serve as evidence under personal injury law.
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, symptoms may worsen over time. Having early documentation helps protect your rights and strengthens your injury claim when negotiating with insurance companies or seeking compensation for medical bills, lost income, and long-term care.
Is there compensation if my crush injury causes emotional distress?
Yes. Under Indiana personal injury law, you may be entitled to compensation for emotional distress resulting from a serious injury. Emotional harm is considered a type of non-economic damage, which also includes pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Catastrophic injuries that cause permanent disability, disfigurement, or traumatic brain injury often lead to conditions like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. In fatal cases, surviving family members may also be eligible to recover wrongful death damages for the emotional and financial impact of losing a loved one due to negligence.
Insurance companies often try to downplay the psychological impact of an injury or loss to reduce settlement amounts. That’s why it’s important to gather evidence to demonstrate the emotional toll of your injury.
At Poynter & Bucheri, our Indianapolis catastrophic injury attorneys ensure that both the physical and emotional impact of your catastrophic injury are fully considered as we seek the payout you need to move forward.
How much will a lawyer for my crush injury case cost?
At Poynter & Bucheri, hiring a personal injury lawyer typically costs you nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
If we win your case, either through settlement or trial, you pay a pre-agreed percentage of the recovery with no out-of-pocket cost. For many standard personal injury claims, our law firm charges only 25% of your settlement if the case is resolved before going to trial—significantly lower than the typical 33% to 40% charged by many other law firms.
You can focus on your healing while our law firm handles the legal work. There are no upfront fees, so you won’t have to worry about added financial stress.
Let Us Represent Your Crush Injury Case
If you or a loved one has suffered a crush injury due to someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to navigate the legal and financial aftermath alone. At Poynter & Bucheri, our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling personal injury cases involving catastrophic injuries, emotional anguish, long-term disability, and lost wages.
We’re committed to fighting for the full compensation from personal injury lawsuits you need to recover—physically, emotionally, and financially.
Call 800-265-9881 or click here to schedule your free consultation with a trusted catastrophic injury lawyer today.