7 Truck Accident Injuries You Need To Know
Truck accidents are one of the most serious types of accidents to occur on the road. Collisions involving trucks often lead to catastrophic injuries for those in passenger vehicles, pedestrians, or even the truck driver themselves.
The potential injuries that can arise from such incidents can have lasting effects on health, finances, and quality of life. In this article, we will discuss seven common truck accident injuries that you need to be aware of.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious outcomes of truck accidents. A strong impact or sudden jolt to the head can damage the brain, often when passengers in smaller vehicles strike their heads against dashboards, windows, or steering wheels. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe, life-altering brain damage.
A TBI can affect cognitive functions, memory, and motor skills. In the most extreme cases, victims may experience long-term disability, including permanent paralysis, cognitive impairment, or loss of motor functions. Long-term care and rehabilitation are often required, and these injuries can significantly alter the victim’s life.
If you’ve suffered a TBI in a truck accident, the recovery process can be long and costly. A trucking accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical bills, therapy, lost wages, and pain and suffering associated with a TBI.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are another devastating consequence of truck accidents. The force from a large truck collision can severely damage the spine, potentially causing partial or total paralysis, such as quadriplegia or paraplegia, depending on the affected area. Spinal cord injuries are among the most debilitating and often require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
In addition to the immediate physical pain, spinal cord injuries often lead to long-term psychological and emotional stress, as victims struggle with their new physical limitations. These injuries can result in a complete loss of independence and require modifications to the home and ongoing care.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in a truck accident, it’s important to consult a trucking accident lawyer. The compensation you receive can help cover the high cost of medical treatments, ongoing care, and any necessary lifestyle adjustments.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage
Internal injuries are often less visible than broken bones or cuts, but can be just as severe or even life-threatening. The force of a truck accident can cause damage to internal organs, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen. Such injuries might lead to internal bleeding, organ failure, or even death if not treated promptly.
In certain cases, internal injuries may not be immediately noticeable. Victims of truck accidents might not feel pain right away, and symptoms can develop gradually. For this reason, it’s important to seek medical attention right after an accident, even if you feel fine initially.
Internal injuries often require emergency surgery to stop bleeding or repair damage to organs. Recovery can be lengthy, and victims may face permanent damage to their organs, which can affect their quality of life and ability to work.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Fractures are common in truck accidents due to the extreme impact involved. Victims may suffer broken bones in the ribs, arms, legs, or face. Injuries can range from simple breaks to complex compound fractures, which penetrate the skin. Treatment often includes setting the bone, surgical procedures, and immobilization with casts or splints.
Severe fractures may require metal rods or pins and months of healing. Physical therapy may also be necessary to regain strength and mobility.
Some fractures result in long-term complications, including chronic pain or reduced mobility. Victims with broken bones from truck accidents may qualify for compensation covering medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages.
Burns and Lacerations
Burns and lacerations are often the result of truck accidents involving fires or hazardous materials. If a truck crashes and catches fire, victims inside or outside the vehicle may suffer burns of varying degrees. These injuries can range from superficial first-degree burns to life-threatening third-degree burns that destroy skin, muscle, and tissue.
These burns can be extremely painful and can lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement. Severe burns can also damage the skin, muscles, and underlying tissues, requiring surgery and long-term care. Recovery often involves multiple medical procedures, frequent hospital visits, and extensive rehabilitation to regain function and mobility.
In addition to the physical pain, burn victims may also experience significant emotional distress, especially if the burn scars are visible or disfiguring. Many victims of severe burns must undergo a series of skin grafts and intensive therapy to heal properly.
Burn injuries often result in high medical costs, including reconstructive surgery and ongoing treatment. These injuries create significant physical and financial challenges for the victim.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash is often experienced during truck accidents, especially in rear-end collisions. Whiplash occurs when the neck is forced forward and backward in a sudden motion, causing strain on the muscles and neck ligaments. Symptoms of whiplash can include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes numbness in the arms.
While whiplash may seem like a minor injury, it can have long-lasting effects, particularly if left untreated. Severe neck injuries, such as herniated discs or damaged spinal nerves, can also occur, requiring surgery and physical therapy. Victims may experience ongoing pain and discomfort, and in certain cases, long-term disability.
Psychological and Emotional Injuries
While the physical injuries from a truck accident are often obvious, psychological and emotional injuries can be just as damaging.
Many accident victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions as a result of the trauma they have endured. These psychological injuries can be just as debilitating as physical injuries and may require therapy, counseling, and medication.
The emotional toll of a truck accident can affect a victim’s ability to return to work, maintain relationships, and lead a fulfilling life. Victims may struggle with ongoing stress, fear of driving, or difficulty adjusting to life after the accident.
If you have suffered emotional distress or mental health issues after a truck accident, it’s important to discuss these with your trucking accident lawyer to make sure that these damages are taken into account in your case.
The Impact of Driver Fatigue on Truck Accidents
Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents, as it significantly impairs a driver’s ability to react quickly, make sound decisions, and stay alert on the road.
When a truck driver is fatigued, their reaction times are slower, making it difficult to respond to sudden changes in traffic, road conditions, or hazards. Fatigue can also impair decision-making. This leads to errors such as drifting into another lane, misjudging distances, or failing to stop in time to avoid a collision.
In severe cases, fatigue can cause the driver to fall asleep at the wheel, resulting in catastrophic accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. These rules limit the number of hours a truck driver can be on the road without rest and aim to reduce fatigue-related accidents.
Enforcing these regulations is essential in preventing truck accidents and ensuring that drivers are well-rested and able to operate their vehicles safely.
The Role of Trucking Companies in Accidents
Trucking companies play a significant role in the occurrence of truck accidents, as they are responsible for the actions of their drivers under the legal principle of “vicarious liability.” This means that companies can be held accountable for accidents caused by their drivers’ negligence if the driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time.
Issues such as inadequate training, unrealistic deadlines, and poorly maintained vehicles are common contributors to accidents. Trucking companies that fail to provide proper training can expose their drivers to dangerous situations, particularly when it comes to handling large commercial trucks.
Similarly, setting unrealistic delivery deadlines encourages drivers to speed or drive beyond safe hours, which will lead to fatigue and mistakes on the road. Neglecting regular maintenance checks on vehicles, such as brakes or tires, also puts drivers and other road users at risk.
Trucking companies must monitor drivers’ hours to comply with Hours of Service regulations, so drivers take sufficient rest breaks. When trucking companies fail to uphold these responsibilities, they can be held legally responsible for the resulting accidents.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you have been injured in a truck accident, it’s important to consult with a trucking accident lawyer who can help guide you through the legal process. Truck accident cases can be complex, often involving multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, and insurance providers.
A skilled attorney will help you navigate the intricacies of these claims, gather the necessary evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
At Freeman Injury Law, our team has years of experience handling truck accident cases. We understand the challenges you face, from physical recovery to dealing with financial hardship. We are here to fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact Freeman Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you pursue justice and get the compensation you deserve.