For U.S. drivers, accidents with big trucks, semis and 18-wheelers are unfortunately quite prevalent and pose a significant public safety concern. These accidents occur due to various reasons, including driver fatigue, speeding, poor road conditions, and driver negligence.
There is a substantial number of truck accident injuries reported in the U.S. each year, with120,200 in 2022. Due to the considerable size and weight of these commercial vehicles, the injuries that happen as a result of these accidents can be severe or even fatal.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Below are some of the main types of injuries that can result from truck accidents.
Head and Neck Injuries
Head and neck injuries are some of the most common types of truck accident injuries, with the immense force of the impact often leading to severe trauma. These types of injuries can range from fractures to muscular damage, each with potential long-term consequences. For that reason, it’s important to seek medical attention for head and neck injuries after a truck accident, even if initial symptoms are mild.
Following a truck accident, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are another major concern, as they can cause lasting impairments to cognition, motor function, emotion and sensation. TBIs often range from mild to severe based on the level of impact to the brain. A concussion, for example, is a mild type of TBI that temporarily affects brain function, causing symptoms like confusion, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Contusions or bruising can occur when the brain makes contact with the inside of the skull due to the force of the accident. Additionally, skull fractures can lead to further complications if bone fragments pierce the brain.
A common form of neck injury in truck accidents is whiplash, which occurs when the head is thrown back and forth abruptly. While often dismissed as minor, untreated whiplash can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues. Each of these injuries can have severe implications, where the effects can be permanent and dramatically impact the victim’s quality of life.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Other severe and often devastating outcomes of truck accidents are spinal cord injuries, which often lead to partial or total loss of motor control and sensation. These injuries occur when there’s damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, nerves or discs of the spinal column, or to the spinal cord itself. Spinal cord injuries significantly affect one’s strength, sensation, and other body functions below the site of the injury. Disc injuries involve damage to the rubbery cushions (discs) between the individual bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine. A truck accident can cause these discs to tear, rupture, or herniate, often leading to severe pain, numbness, and weakness.
When the spinal cord is damaged, the pathways for communication between the brain and the rest of the body can be disrupted, leading to paralysis. The paralysis may be localized to certain areas, known as partial paralysis, or it can affect large areas, or even all areas, below the injury site, referred to as total paralysis. The impact can be life-altering, often requiring long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Lacerations, Cuts and Severe Burns
Some other common injuries that can occur in truck accidents are lacerations, cuts, and severe burns. Lacerations and cuts can range from minor, superficial skin breaks to deep wounds that affect muscles, tendons, or even bones. These types of injuries can result from broken glass, metal fragments, or other debris during the collision. Without quick and proper treatment, these wounds can lead to serious infections and other complications.
Severe burns are another potential consequence of a truck accident, especially if the collision leads to a fire or explosion. These burns can cause significant damage to skin tissues and may require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts and physical therapy. They may also lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement. It’s important to get immediate medical attention after a truck accident to assess and treat any lacerations, cuts, or burns properly.
Internal Injuries
Because there might not be visible signs of trauma right away, internal injuries are among the most serious types of injuries sustained in truck accidents. Damage to organs like the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, or spleen can be life-threatening and often require immediate surgical intervention. Delaying assessment and treatment can have serious repercussions, including internal bleeding or organ failure.
Bone fractures are also common in truck accidents, particularly to the ribs, collarbone, arms, and legs. Fractures can be extremely painful and can take weeks or even months to fully heal, often requiring physical therapy. In severe cases, fractures can lead to long-term mobility issues.
Amputations
Another severe type of truck accident injury is amputation. In extreme cases, the force of the impact can leave a person’s limbs so severely damaged that amputation becomes necessary. In other instances, a limb might be directly severed during the accident. Either way, amputations dramatically change an individual’s life, requiring extensive rehabilitation and adaptation to new life challenges. The victim may also suffer from phantom pain, where pain is felt in the portion of the limb that’s no longer there. The long-term physical, emotional, and financial impact of such an injury should not be underestimated.
Mental Health Issues
The mental health impact of truck accidents can be often overlooked, but it’s an aspect that can have lasting effects on a victim’s life. Survivors of these traumatic events frequently experience a range of emotional and psychological issues.
Anxiety and depression are common, as victims may struggle with the sudden change in their physical health, medical bills, loss of work, and the overall emotional toll of the accident. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can also occur, where victims continually relive the accident, leading to severe anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks. Other victims may suffer from mood swings, appetite changes, or sleep disturbances, further compounding their distress. These mental health issues can be just as debilitating as physical injuries, requiring therapy and, at times, medication for management.
How Truck Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help
Truck accident injury attorneys play a vital role in helping victims navigate the aftermath of a traumatic incident. After a truck accident, victims are often left dealing with serious injuries, unexpected medical expenses, lost wages and emotional distress. An experienced attorney can provide the necessary legal guidance and support during this challenging time.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a big truck accident, our team at Talbot, Carmouche & Marcello can help to define the next steps. Contact us to set up a free consultation.