'Top Model' Star Sues Over 'Catastrophic' Car Crash -- Accident Torpedoed My Career!

Former "America's Next Top Model" contestant Lexie Tomchek claims she was permanently injured after a bus collided with her car last year -- and now, she's suing the driver for derailing her modeling career.

Lexie filed the legal docs in L.A. County Superior Court -- claiming a guy named Narciso Ayala took an illegal right turn on March 28, 2011 ... and smashed into her car ... resulting in a "catastrophic accident which caused serious and permanent injuries."

Lexie's lawyer tells TMZ, the model's career has taken a crippling blow as a result -- and now, she's suing for lost wages ... plus hospital and medical expenses.

Lexie wants unspecified damages, exceeding $25,000. Calls to the driver and his employer were not returned.