Colorado Springs Crush Injury Lawyer

Written by Timothy R. Bussey · Reviewed by Benjamin Wilcox · Last updated 3 September 2026

Key Takeaways

Deadline: 3 years if a motor vehicle was involved (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); 2 years for most other injury claims (C.R.S. 13-80-102).
Who is liable: Whoever controlled the thing that did the crushing.
If you were partly at fault: damages are reduced by your share and barred entirely at 50% (C.R.S. 13-21-111).
Where it is filed: El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

What makes a crush injury different from other trauma?

What happens after the weight is lifted.

Prolonged compression damages muscle, and the products released when circulation returns can injure the kidneys — crush syndrome — so a person can deteriorate significantly after being freed. Compartment syndrome is the other time-critical risk. Both mean the serious phase of a crush injury often begins in hospital rather than at the scene, and the medical record from those first days is what establishes the severity.

Who is liable for a crush injury?

Whoever controlled the thing that did the crushing.

In practice that means a machinery operator or their employer, an equipment manufacturer where a guard or interlock failed, a property owner where a structure or load collapsed, or a driver in a vehicle case. Where it happened at work, workers' compensation covers you against your employer but leaves third-party claims — manufacturer, contractor, site owner — fully available.

Representing Victims of Traumatic Crush Injuries in Colorado Springs

Accidents, particularly auto accidents, can be devastating. Your car is destroyed, you are suffering from serious injuries, and your medical bills are mounting. Worst of all, your injuries, whether they involved shattered bones or torn muscles, could leave medical professionals with no choice but to remove your limb altogether. An amputation could cost you your job and any future earnings you were hoping to gain. How are you supposed to pay for your medical bills with no income?

The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. understands the frustration you are likely feeling right now. There are few things more upsetting and frightening than facing a serious crush injury with no way to pay off your medical debts. However, if your injury was caused by another person’s negligence, a skilled Colorado Springs crush injury lawyer can work to help you receive proper compensation from the party responsible on your behalf. For excellent legal help and to learn if you can file a claim, call our firm at (719) 475-2555 and schedule a free initial consultation.

What Is a Crush Injury?

When involved in a serious auto accident, your body can become pinned between objects, such as between two vehicles or against your car’s steering column. This can cause a great deal of force to be exerted on your body, crushing bones, muscles, and other tissues. That kind of injury is considered a crush injury, and it can be incredibly dangerous.

Our bodies were not meant to withstand high levels of force. While your bones can certainly take a hard hit, they can only withstand so much. Two cars slamming together is more than enough force to completely shatter bone, and, in turn, tear muscles and organs.

What Causes Crush Injuries?

The most important factor involved in crush injuries is pressure and force. Auto collisions, serious falls, and even dog bites can exert enough pressure and force to crush your limbs and even your organs. As Colorado Springs personal injury attorneys, we at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. have seen crush injuries time and time again. In our experience, the most common causes include:

How ever your crush injury occurred, chances are that you are now in a great deal of pain and dealing with a large amount of medical debt. These types of accidents can follow you for years to come and severely impact your livelihood.

The Long-term Damage of a Crush Injury

You cannot simply walk off a crush injury. Oftentimes, these kinds of wounds result in deep internal damage. Bones are crushed, muscles are bruised and torn, and organs are punctured or ripped. This type of damage needs to be treated immediately by a medical professional. In fact, you may even need to receive emergency surgery for the internal damage.

One of the most difficult outcomes of crush injuries is an amputation. While removing a limb is always the last resort, sometimes doctors have no choice. They simply may not be able to repair your shattered bones. Worst of all, the shards left in your limb can cause further damage by shredding the tendons, ligaments, and muscles surrounding them. The constant damage opens the door for potential infections, and then sepsis. Or, it may lead to you developing compartment syndrome, which is a medical emergency. In either situation, removing the limb may be necessary to avoid severe internal bleeding and death.

There are some groups more at risk for crush injuries than others, however. People in typical passenger vehicles, such as cars and vans, are far less likely to suffer from crush injuries because their vehicles have protective, metal walls. These walls help keep the driver and passengers safe from the impact of the accident, as well as keep them from becoming crushed against the road. However, those on bikes, motorcycles, or foot are not so lucky. With no walls to protect them, any impact can throw them to the ground or road, where their bodies can easily be crushed against the pavement.

What Is My Case Worth?

When evaluating the impact of a crush injury, you may be left in a place of hopelessness. Not only are you in incredible pain, but you must also contend with your medical bills and long-term damage. How is it fair that you have to pay for an accident that wasn’t even your fault? Well, The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. is here to tell you that it isn’t fair and that with the right attorney by your side, you may not have to pay after all if you pursue a personal injury claim.

When filing a claim against the party responsible for your crush injuries, you will want to start by calculating the amount of compensation you are owed. To begin this process, you should gather all bills, receipts, and invoices that are related to the accident and add them up. You will also want to collect old pay stubs or tax returns to calculate the amount of money you have lost in missed paychecks. Altogether, this should give you your total economic damages, meaning the full monetary amount that you have lost due to the accident. This can include:

Medical bills, both past and future
Lost wages
Property damage
Lost job opportunities

Once you have finished calculating your economic damages, you can go on to determine how much you want for your non-economic damages. Non-economic damages allow you to receive compensation for the damage done to you physically and emotionally, as opposed to just your wallet. After all, your pain and suffering are worth proper compensation. Non-economic damages can include:

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

These can be harder to calculate, as they do not have clear monetary value, but with an experienced Colorado Springs crush injury attorney by your side, you can decide how much your crush injuries are worth.

Start Your Colorado Springs Personal Injury Claim Today

No one should be left swimming in medical debt, especially if their injuries weren’t even their fault. If you are suffering from crush injuries due to someone else’s negligence, then you need a top-notch Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer to fight for your case. The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. has extensive experience achieving positive case results on behalf of injured clients. We can thoroughly investigate your accident, collect evidence of wrongdoing, calculate the costs of your injuries, and advocate for compensation in a settlement negotiation or jury trial. To get started, call our firm at (719) 475-2555 for strong legal support today.

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions: Crush Injury Cases in Colorado Springs

If you’ve suffered a crush injury in Colorado Springs, you likely have many questions about your situation and the legal process ahead. At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we’re here to provide answers to some of the most common queries you may have.

What should I do immediately after a crush injury?

Your health is the top priority. Seek medical attention right away, even if you think your injuries are minor. Then, document the incident, take photos if possible, and gather witness information. After that, it’s a good idea to contact us for legal guidance.

How long do I have to file a crush injury claim in Colorado Springs?

Colorado has a statute of limitations, which is typically two years from the date of the injury. Failing to file within this time frame may prevent you from pursuing a legal claim.

How do I prove someone else is liable for my crush injury?

Proving liability often requires thorough investigation and gathering evidence. Our experienced attorneys will help you collect witness statements, surveillance footage, and any other relevant documentation to establish liability.

What compensation can I seek for my crush injury?

You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your injury. We’ll assess your case to determine the full extent of your potential compensation.

Should I speak to the insurance company on my own?

It’s generally not advisable to communicate with the insurance company without legal representation. Insurance adjusters may use your statements against you. We can handle these conversations on your behalf to protect your rights and interests.

How much will it cost to hire a crush injury attorney in Colorado Springs?

At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if you win your case. You don’t need to worry about upfront legal fees while seeking the compensation you deserve.

What makes The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. different from other Colorado Springs crush injury lawyers?

We have extensive experience in handling personal injury cases, and we’re dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate support. Our client-focused approach ensures that we work closely with you to achieve the best outcome for your unique situation.

How long does it take to resolve a crush injury case in Colorado Springs?

The duration of a case can vary based on many factors, including the complexity of the case and whether a settlement is reached or it goes to trial. We strive to expedite the process while ensuring you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.

How long do I have to bring a claim for this injury in Colorado?

It depends on how you were hurt, not on the injury. Three years if a motor vehicle was involved (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); two years for most other causes — a fall, a defective product, an assault (C.R.S. 13-80-102(1)(a)); and only 182 days to serve written notice if a public entity is responsible (C.R.S. 24-10-109(1), which the statute makes jurisdictional). Confirm which one governs early rather than assuming the longest.

What does a crush injury claim cost to pursue?

Nothing up front, and nothing at all unless there is a recovery. A crush injury review is free and the firm is paid a percentage of what it recovers rather than by the hour, so asking costs nothing. Call (719) 475-2555.

Where is a crush injury claim filed?

In the El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 — the district court serving El Paso County. Most claims settle without a court appearance, but the filing venue is what sets the deadline that matters.

Why does the machine have to be preserved?

Because a guard that was missing, disabled or defective is only provable from the machine itself, and equipment is repaired or returned to service quickly after an incident.

How are the long-term effects valued?

Through the amputation risk, the nerve damage and the loss of function that often follow rather than the initial injury alone. Because the claim has to cover treatment that has not happened yet. Settling before the long-term picture is clear is the most common way these are undervalued, and a settlement cannot be reopened when the real cost arrives.

What Are the Colorado Deadlines and Rules on This Claim?

Which deadline applies depends on how the injury happened, not on what it is called. Colorado gives three years to a claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle and two years to most other injury claims. Missing the deadline normally ends the claim regardless of its merits.

Colorado deadlines and rules that apply to this claim
A claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle	3 years — C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)
Most other personal injury claims	2 years — C.R.S. 13-80-102
If you were partly at fault	Damages reduced by your share, barred at 50% — C.R.S. 13-21-111
Where a Colorado Springs claim is filed	El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Sources and References

Deadlines are cited by section to the Colorado General Assembly’s published 2024 revised statutes. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is decided on its own facts.

Our Colorado Springs Office

The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.
12 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 475-2555
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

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