Crush injuries resulting from a car crash or any accident are often deceiving. While on the surface, even trained first responders may not always see the immediate danger. Yet despite what is visible, the damage could be significant. If treatment is delayed, a crush injury can lead to the loss of a limb, kidney failure or even death.
Victims who suffer a crush injury of a larger body area, such as the torso, have a higher risk for developing severe complications.
Other factors that affect the extent of the injury include:
The general health of a victim, including age – both older victims and younger children are more fragile
The area of the victim’s body that was crushed and how much overall tissue was damaged
The force at impact and how long the victim remained trapped under the vehicle
How soon after the injury the victim began receiving medical care
Crush injuries require aggressive medical intervention right away. Emergency treatment should begin immediately, even before a victim is removed from the wreckage and transported to the hospital.