'Orange Is the New Black' Star Michelle Hurst -- Seriously Injured in Car Accident, Placed in Medically-Induced Coma

"Orange Is the New Black" star Michelle Hurst -- who plays Miss Claudette on the show -- has just awakened from a medically-induced coma ... after suffering serious injuries in a recent car accident.

According to Hurst's family, the accident occurred just before the holidays and Hurst was placed in the 16-day coma so doctors could perform surgeries close to her spine.

Hurst is currently recovering in the ICU at UNC Chapel Hill Hospital in North Carolina.