Getting into a crash can result in numerous injuries that can all have intense short-term and/or long-term impacts, or even fatal effects.
Crush injuries count as just one of the many injury types that can happen. These injuries result from part of the body getting compressed by something larger and heavier, and it can happen to anyone.
Tissue death and infection
Medline Plus discusses the impact of crush injuries on extremities. These injuries involve the legs, arms, hands and feet. Though it may seem like this is safer than a full-body crush injury, or crush injuries to the torso, that is not necessarily the case.
First, limbs affected by crush injuries have the possibility of necrotizing. The tissue in the affected areas will die off due to a lack of blood flow and oxygen. This can lead to irreversible damage that can permanently disfigure the victim.
Second, due to this tissue damage, it is possible for infection to set in quickly. In particular, gangrene may occur which can affect limbs so badly that it necessitates amputation. Serious infection such as sepsis may also occur, which can potentially kill an infected person within 72 hours of the first symptoms appearing.
Organ failure and deadly risks
Finally, it is still possible to suffer from organ failure with these types of injuries. With one part of the body under such distress and the blood flow changed dramatically, it is possible for the organs to overwork and start shutting down or failing, leading to an even more critical condition.
This is why it is crucial to call medical care to any crash situation immediately, even without knowing the state of those inside the car.