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Santa Barbara Crush Injuries Lawyers

Have You Suffered Crush Injuries Caused by Negligence in Santa Barbara?

We all expect to face some injuries in our lifetime. From a fractured bone here to a deep bruise there, we know that injuries are a fact of life. But few of us expect to suffer from anything as catastrophic as a crush injury. Crush injuries are often severe and can leave you unable to work, walk, or live independently. Filing a claim against the party that caused your injuries may be the only way for you to begin the recovery process.

Filing a claim, however, can seem next to impossible when you do not know how to go up against an insurance adjuster, file the proper paperwork, or even determine who the liable party is. Thankfully, if you work with NordstrandBlack PC, you will not have to worry about any of that. Our Santa Barbara crush injury attorneys are top in their field and know exactly what it takes to file a successful personal injury claim. For compassionate and skilled representation, call our firm at (866) 298-2041. We look forward to hearing from you.

How Crush Injuries Happen

A crush injury happens when a part of the body, whether it be an arm, leg, or the chest, becomes pinned between two objects. The objects restrict and place pressure on the body, which can cause extreme and lasting damage. Any number of scenarios can cause a crush injury. Some of the most common include:

The cause of your injury is important when it comes to filing a claim and determining who is liable. But whatever the cause was, the consequences of suffering a crush injury will still be incredibly dangerous and painful.

Why Crush Injuries Are Dangerous

A crush injury requires a great deal of force. When one object pins you against another, it places a great deal of stress on your body. That stress can, and often does, result in catastrophic injuries that can have a long-term impact on your life. Crush injuries may include:

A very common outcome of crush injuries is amputation. When a limb, such as an arm or leg, becomes crushed, the bone within can shatter to the point where it is not repairable. This can also severely damage the blood vessels, muscles, and nerves in the limb. When this happens, a medical professional’s only choice when it comes to promoting proper healing may be to completely amputate the impacted limb.

Crush injuries can also be fatal. There are medical complications associated with crush injuries that doctors may not catch in time or may not be fixable. If the brain damage is severe enough or the internal bleeding is not caught before the victim bleeds out, then the accident that caused the crush injuries can be deadly. In such cases, you may file a wrongful death claim against the liable party if you lose a loved one to negligence.

Those at Risk for Crush Injuries

While crush injuries are common in auto accidents, they are most prevalent for those riding bikes or motorcycles. Cars have a protective outer shell that can take the brunt of the impact during a collision. This means that it is less likely that the driver and passengers will end up pinned against any objects. Those riding bikes or motorcycles, however, are completely exposed when involved in an auto accident. If a car sideswipes a motorcycle rider, then the rider’s legs may become crushed against their bike, a guardrail, or the road.

Recovering Damages After a Crush Injury in Santa Barbara

Recovering compensation is an important step when it comes to recovering financially from your crush injuries. Following an accident that was caused by negligence, there are two main categories that you can claim for when it comes to recovering damages. The first one is economic damages. This group covers all monetary losses you suffered as a direct result of the accident. They may include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Lost job opportunities
  • Property damage

Economic damages usually have a clear price tag associated with them. This means that they are easy to prove. You can demonstrate how much you are owed by gathering together important evidence, such as bills sent to you by the hospital, old pay stubs, and tax returns.

The second category of compensation is non-economic damages. This category is meant to help you recover compensation for the physical and emotional suffering you have experienced. Some examples of non-economic damages include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Lowered quality of life
  • Loss of enjoyment

Unlike economic damages, where you can look at a bill or calculate how much something costs or how much was lost, non-economic damages are subjective. Using testimonials from those who knew you before and after the accident, a dated journal about the pain you are suffering, and reports from your doctor or therapist can help demonstrate how the accident has impacted your life. Of course, recovering damages is not just contingent on the evidence you can present, but also on the attorney you hire to represent you.

Attorneys at NordstrandBlack PC Want to Help

A crush injury can be devastating to face alone. The pain, medical bills, and lengthy recovery time may mean you are too exhausted to even consider filing a claim. The paperwork, evidence gathering, and negotiations may seem impossible to do on your own. That is where the Santa Barbara personal injury attorneys at NordstrandBlack PC come in. With our many years of experience and a passion for helping those in need, you will not have to worry about anything other than recovering your health and well-being if we take on your case. For top-notch legal representation, call us at (866) 298-2041. We are here to offer a helping hand.