How do I recover data from a crashed hard drive?

If your drive isn't physically damaged it is possible to recover your data using software programs, to learn more check out Gibson Research SpinRite program.

Even when Windows can't read  a disk, the data still may be physically there. Jufsoft's BadCopy Pro ($39.50 www.jufsoft.com) scans the physical media sector by sector, reconstructing and salvaging whatever files it can find. Downloading and trying the software is free, but to actually save recovered files you need to pay the registration fee to unlock the software. Still, that's a small price to pay for getting back precious data. (taken from Computer Shopper Sept 2003)

I myself have used a program called "Search and Recover 2" ($39.95 www.iolo.com). I have recovered deleted Email, files and even pictures from my camera's memory card. (2005)

...but if the drive has physical damage

It's going to cost you! In the range of $125-$500 for a failure analysis. I have said it before, if it's important back it up - if it's really important backup that backup. If your hard drive does crash, gets burned, drowns or just gets run over and you just gotta have the data recovered you will have to use a data recovery specialist.