Penetrating injuries, though less common than other types of injuries, pose serious risks to car crash victims. These types of injuries often result from shattered glass or projectiles from inside or outside of the vehicle.

Did you or a loved one suffer a penetrating injury? TSR Injury Law may be able to help you recover compensation for your damages, including pain and suffering. Our Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyers has recovered more than $1 billion for our injured clients in Minnesota, and we do not charge any upfront fees.

Call TSR for legal assistance: (612) TSR-TIME.

How a Penetrating Injury Could Happen in a Crash

Penetrating injuries occur when an object pierces the skin, potentially causing significant damage to internal organs and other parts of your body. These injuries are often caused by broken glass or flying debris that enters the car during a crash.

When two cars crash into each other at high speed, the force of impact can cause objects to become projectiles:

• If the collision happens near a construction site, loose materials or tools might become dangerous projectiles.
• On a highway or in rural areas, debris like rocks, branches or even parts of vehicles can get thrown around.
• If one of the cars is carrying cargo, it could spill out of the car, creating more hazards and flying objects.

What Are the Types of Penetrating Injuries?

Penetrating injuries can affect any area of your body, which carries different risks and complications:

Extremity Trauma

Penetrating injuries to the arms and legs can cause extensive damage. If a sharp object, such as a piece of metal, penetrates your arm or leg, you could suffer significant damage to your muscles, nerves, blood vessels and bones.

In some cases, pressure can build up within closed muscle compartments, known as compartment syndrome, leading to further tissue damage and complications.

Chest Trauma

Penetrating trauma to the chest could injure vital organs such as the heart, lungs and major blood vessels.

For instance, in a high-speed car crash, if a piece of broken glass from the windshield pierces your chest, it could cause a collapsed lung, internal bleeding in the chest cavity or even compression of the heart due to accumulated blood. These injuries require immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.

Neck Trauma

Penetrating trauma to the neck threatens major blood vessels and the spinal cord. Depending on the location and depth of penetration, you could experience difficulty breathing, severe bleeding or even paralysis.

Abdominal Trauma

Your abdomen has essential organs, such as the liver, spleen, kidneys and intestines. If an object penetrates your abdomen, it could cause severe internal bleeding and potential organ failure. Your injury may also result in hemorrhagic shock, where your body loses a significant amount of blood, causing a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Risks of Penetrating Injuries

Even with prompt medical intervention, victims face a high risk of complications from penetrating injuries, including:

• Organ Damage: If an object pierces your skin, it could cause catastrophic damage to internal organs, such as your kidneys, spleen, liver or intestines. Damage to these vital organs could lead to life-threatening complications, including organ failure.
• Infection: Harmful bacteria from a penetrating object or the surrounding area could enter your body. Without quick medical attention, infections can escalate, potentially causing sepsis.
• Hemorrhage: Another risk you could encounter with penetrating injuries is significant bleeding, especially if the object damages any of your major blood vessels. Uncontrolled bleeding might result in hemorrhagic shock, preventing vital organs from receiving oxygen.
• Nerve Damage: Depending on where and how severe the injury is, penetrating objects can damage your nerves, leading to loss of feeling, weakness or even paralysis in the injured area. Nerve injuries can have long-term effects on your mobility and function, which may require extensive rehabilitation and medical care.
• Complications During Surgery: Surgery to treat a penetrating injury exposes you to the risk of additional complications, including infections, excessive bleeding, or damage to nearby tissues or organs.
• Psychological Trauma: Dealing with a penetrating injury can also take a toll on your mental health. You might experience feelings of anxiety, depression or even PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) as you navigate the physical and emotional aftermath of the collision. Coping with these challenges might require ongoing therapy and support.

Including a Penetrating Injury in a Motor Vehicle Crash Claim

If you suffered a penetrating injury in a Minneapolis car crash, you can seek coverage from your personal injury protection coverage. This coverage applies regardless of who is at fault for the crash. This coverage also pays for medical bills and lost income when the injury prevents you from working.

In cases of a penetrating injury, the effects may be so severe that you have the right to seek pain and suffering compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. In Minnesota, you can file a car crash lawsuit if you meet one of these four requirements:

• Minimum of $4,000 in medical bills
• Permanent injury
• You cannot work for a minimum of 60 days
• You suffered permanent disfigurement

You can also file a lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who was killed in a Minneapolis collision.

Determining Fault

A car crash lawsuit is outside of the no-fault system. That means you must prove that the other driver is responsible for your damages. Your lawyer must prove negligence, which has four elements:

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty of care
• Causation
• Damages were suffered

For example, a driver who runs a red light breaches a duty of care. If running a red light caused a collision, the driver could be held responsible for your damages.

However, sometimes, a driver’s negligence is not clear and straightforward. In a crash caused by a lane change, both drivers may share responsibility for the collision. Sudden movements in this type of collision can also make it difficult to prove whether a driver was reckless or attempting to avoid an obstacle. 

Minnesota’s modified comparative negligence law might reduce your compensation if you are found to be partially at fault. For example, if you are determined to be 20 percent responsible for the crash because you were speeding, and the total compensation awarded is $20,000, you would receive $16,000 (80 percent of $20,000).

However, if you were found to be 51 percent or more at fault for the crash, you would not be eligible to receive any compensation under this Minnesota law.

Have You Been Injured in a Crash? Call Our Firm Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a penetrating injury in a car crash due to the actions of a negligent driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. The costs of your medical treatment, lost wages and long-term care can be overwhelming and could create a heavy financial burden for you.

At TSR Injury Law, our experienced legal team understands the challenges of moving forward after a serious injury. We are dedicated to helping victims navigate the complex legal process, advocating for their rights and pursuing the compensation they need to move forward with their lives.

Complete a free case evaluation form or call us at (612) TSR-TIME.