Truck accidents can be catastrophic, causing severe injuries and even death. Due to the weight of commercial vehicles, accidents involving semis often result in more serious injuries than accidents involving smaller vehicles.
If you have been involved in a truck accident, it’s important to understand the common injuries that can occur and seek legal representation from a qualified truck accident attorney, such as a Houston truck accident attorney or a Texas truck accident lawyer.
The most common injuries from truck accidents are below, and the steps you can take to protect your rights and seek compensation.
One of the most worrying injuries that can occur in a truck accident is a head injury -traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI occurs when the brain can be damaged due to impact or force.
TBIs can be mild concussions to severe brain damage. TBI can have long-lasting effects on a person’s physical and cognitive abilities. Symptoms of a TBI may include dizziness, headaches, confusion, memory loss, and changes in mood or behavior.
In a truck accident, TBIs can occur with a direct blow to the head or from the violent shaking of the brain inside the skull. Brain injuries can be life-altering and may require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Skull fractures are another common head injury that can occur in a truck accident. Skull fractures can range from minor hairline fractures to more severe fractures that require surgery and result in brain damage.
In a truck accident, the force of impact can cause the skull to crack or break, potentially causing damage to the brain. Skull fracture symptoms may include bleeding, bruising, and tenderness around the site of the injury, as well as headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Truck accidents can result in spinal cord injury; Spine injury can lead to paralysis. Paralysis occurs when there is severe damage to the spinal cord, causing a loss of movement and sensation in certain parts of the body.
In a truck accident, the force of impact can cause the spine to compress or fracture, potentially damaging the nerves and resulting in paralysis. Spinal cord injury may require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.
Another common spinal cord injury from truck accidents is a herniated disc or a bulging disc. Disc injury happens when the gel-like material between the vertebrae in the spine is pushed out of place, potentially causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area.
In a truck accident, the crash can cause the spine to twist or bend unnaturally, causing a herniated disc. This type of injury can be treated with physical therapy, but in severe cases, surgery is often necessary.
Truck accidents can also result in broken bones, which can range from minor fractures to more severe breaks that require surgery. The impact from a big truck accident can cause bones to break or shatter, potentially causing damage to surrounding tissues and nerves.
Commonly broken bones in truck accidents include broken arms, legs, ribs, collarbones, and spinal cord. Fractures are painful and may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation or surgical intervention.
A commercial vehicle accident can also cause internal injuries, such as damage to internal organs. Organ damage can occur from the impact of the seatbelt or steering wheel on the body or from objects inside the vehicle being thrown around during the accident.
Internal injuries are often life-threatening and may require emergency surgery. Common internal injuries from truck accidents include damage to the liver, spleen, and kidneys.
Internal bleeding is another potential injury from a truck accident. Internal bleeding occurs when, due to the impact, blood leaks into the body, potentially causing organ damage and other complications.
Symptoms of internal bleeding may include dizziness, weakness, and abdominal pain. If left untreated, internal bleeding can be life-threatening.
Truck accidents can also have a significant impact on a person’s mental health. The trauma of being involved in a serious trucking accident can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This mental health condition can cause anxiety, flashbacks, and other symptoms.
PTSD can be debilitating and may require ongoing therapy and treatment. Truck accident victims need to seek support and treatment for any psychological injuries they may be experiencing.
If you are hurt in a truck accident, seeking legal representation from a qualified truck accident attorney is important. They can help you understand your rights and seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
When choosing a truck accident attorney, look for experience handling 18-wheeler accidents and a track record of success. For example, a TX truck accident attorney may have experience with truck accidents in Houston and be familiar with local laws and regulations.
Commercial vehicle accidents frequently cause serious injuries that many times have a lasting impact on a person’s life. It’s important to seek medical attention immediately after a truck accident and to consult with a top-rated truck accident attorney to protect your rights and seek compensation for your injuries.
By understanding the common injuries from truck accidents and taking the necessary steps to seek legal representation, you can ensure that you receive the support and compensation you deserve.
Given the difference in size between most commercial vehicles and the typical passenger car or pickup truck, the small vehicles and their passengers typically are the ones who are injured in an 18-wheeler accident. Although truck drivers themselves sometimes get hurt, the majority of times, after a truck accident, the truck driver walks unharmed.
With an 80,000-pound vehicle, even a low-speed collision can lead to extensive and serious personal injury. Many truck accident injuries are caused at speeds under 35 miles an hour. When an 18-wheeler is traveling at highway speeds and impacts a passenger car, a fatality can be expected. In some instances, truck accidents have wiped out entire families in a few seconds.
One important consideration for your health and a truck accident injury claim is to seek appropriate medical care as early as possible. Not only will seeking medical attention promptly aid in your recovery from a truck accident, but it will also serve to document your personal injury claim to the insurance carrier. See our article about the first steps after a truck wreck.
Delays in seeking medical care are common when the accident victim is in shock and does not feel the consequences of the injury until the next day or two. Another factor that is critical for victims to understand is that emergency rooms are for emergencies. Once the truck accident victim has been diagnosed with a non-life-threatening injury, the emergency room will discharge you with instructions to follow up with your doctor.
Many times, victims who have clean X-rays believe that they are okay, only to find out months down the road that an MRI reveals a serious spinal cord injury that may even require surgery. Here are 5 steps after an 18-wheeler accident injury.
Insurance companies are trained to deal with accident cases. They are out to save money on a claim and are not on your side. Hire a real truck accident attorney and let them deal with the insurance adjuster.
If you were injured in a car accident, find a top car accident lawyer near me for help.
I always recommend that 18-wheeler accident victims seek medical care from a specialist.
Head injury victims should seek attention from neurologists who specialize in head injuries. Spinal cord injury patients should seek orthopedic specialists who deal with spinal cord and neck injuries.
Often, a general practitioner is not set up to handle serious injury cases from 18-wheeler accidents. To get the best settlement from a truck crash, find the best truck accident attorney near me.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an 18-wheeler accident and would like to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Houston, TX, please contact our experienced truck wreck lawyers for a free no-obligation consultation on your truck accident case.
Related Articles:
I Was Rear Ended By an 18-Wheeler in Houston What Do I Do?
What Are The Mistakes That Should Be Avoided After Experiencing A Commercial Truck Accident?
What are the Steps to Take Following an 18-wheeler Accident?
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