Truck accidents are the worst on the road, and truck accident injuries can be severe because of the size and force of these vehicles. Knowing the types of injuries that occur in truck accidents is important for victims, lawyers, and medical providers. If you’ve been in a truck accident, you should see our experienced injury doctors to start the healing process.
This blog will go over the most common truck accident injuries, what causes them, what they look like, and why you need to see the right medical and legal help. Whether you’re a victim looking for guidance or someone who just wants to learn more about the risks, this will be helpful.
Types of Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents can cause a wide range of serious injuries because of the size and force of the vehicles involved.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are common in truck accidents. Victims get concussions which can cause cognitive problems. Skull fractures and brain damage are also common and can cause long-term disabilities. Facial bone fractures can cause physical and emotional pain.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Truck accidents often cause severe spinal cord injuries. These can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia and partial or total paralysis. The impact on a victim’s life is huge and requires extensive medical care and rehab.
Back Injuries
Back injuries are another common result of truck accidents. Herniated discs can cause chronic pain and severe impairment and limit mobility and quality of life. These injuries require ongoing medical treatment and physical therapy.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries like whiplash are common in truck accidents. Victims can get strains and sprains and experience significant discomfort and limited movement. These injuries can also require long recovery periods.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are a regular occurrence in truck accidents. Ribs, legs, and arms are most vulnerable. Fractures can be mild or severe and often require surgery and long healing times.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries are a big deal in truck accidents. Organ damage and internal bleeding can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. These injuries are not always visible so prompt diagnosis is key.
Burn Injuries
Burns in truck accidents can be from flames or chemicals. These burns can be mild to severe and require extensive medical treatment and can cause permanent scarring.
Rib and Torso Injuries
Rib and torso injuries can cause chest pain and affect vital organs. These injuries may require surgery and have long-term health consequences.
Lacerations
Lacerations including cuts and gashes are common in truck accidents. These soft tissue injuries can cause significant bleeding and require stitches or other medical treatment to heal.
Seat Belt Injuries
While seatbelts save lives, they can also cause injuries like whiplash and bruising in a truck accident. These injuries may be less severe but still require medical attention and recovery time.
Fatalities
Sadly, some truck accidents are fatal. Wrongful death claims can arise from these and seek justice and compensation for the victim’s family. The loss is immeasurable and the legal process can help provide some closure.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can be caused by many factors each of which can lead to serious injury or fatalities. Knowing these causes is important for prevention and legal action.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is a big contributor to truck accidents. Long hours on the road without adequate rest can impair a truck driver’s reaction time and decision-making. This is especially dangerous since big trucks take more time and distance to stop.
Improper Braking
Improper braking or malfunctioning brakes can cause severe accidents. Trucks need well-maintained brakes to handle their heavy loads. Failure in this area can be catastrophic, especially in high-traffic areas.
Speeding
Speeding is another big cause of truck accidents. When truck drivers go over the speed limit they reduce their reaction time to sudden changes in traffic. This can cause rear-end collisions and other types of serious accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving whether from mobile phone use, eating or other activities is a big risk. When truck drivers take their eyes off the road even for a few seconds the consequences can be deadly given the momentum and size of their vehicle.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a dangerous behavior that multiplies the risk of accidents. Impaired driving affects judgment, coordination, and reaction time and is a leading cause of truck crashes.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo
Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo can make a truck unstable and difficult to control. This can cause rollover accidents or make the truck jackknife pose a danger to other vehicles on the road.
Tire Blowouts
Tire blowouts can happen suddenly and without warning and can make the truck veer out of control. Regular tire maintenance and checks are crucial to prevent this.
Brake Failure
Brake failure is a big issue that can cause severe accidents. Regular inspections and maintenance are important to ensure the brakes are in working order.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are deadly and often caused by taking turns too fast or uneven cargo distribution. These accidents can cause serious damage and a high risk of injury to the truck driver and other road users.
Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions happen when a truck driver fails to stop on time. Given the size and weight of trucks, these collisions can cause extensive damage and serious injuries to passengers of other vehicles.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are the most deadly type of truck accidents. These happen when a truck crosses into oncoming traffic often due to driver fatigue, distraction, or impaired driving. The impact is usually brutal and can cause serious injury or fatalities.
Liability and Compensation
Knowing liability and getting compensation is important for victims of truck accidents to recover from their losses and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Who is Liable?
When a truck accident happens multiple parties can be held liable. These are:
- Truck Drivers: Often the truck driver is at fault due to negligence, fatigue, or impaired driving.
- Trucking Companies: If the company failed to maintain the vehicle or pushed the driver beyond legal hours.
- Cargo Companies: Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo can cause accidents and the cargo company is liable.
- Manufacturers: Defective parts like brakes or tires can cause severe accidents and the manufacturer is liable.
Get Maximum Compensation
Truck accident victims deserve full compensation for their injuries. This means medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and emotional trauma. An experienced truck accident lawyer will fight to get victims the maximum compensation possible and hold all liable parties accountable.
Precautions and Prevention
Taking precautions and preventive measures is key to reducing the risk and impact of truck accidents on the road.
Driver Training for Commercial Truck Drivers
Proper training for commercial truck drivers is important to prevent accidents. Training should cover defensive driving techniques, blind spots, and fatigue management. Well-trained truck operators are less likely to be involved in serious accidents and reduce the risk of injuries to all road users.
Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection
Regular maintenance and thorough inspection of big trucks are important. Brake failure, tire blowouts, and other mechanical failures can cause catastrophic accidents. Making sure trucks are in good condition can prevent many common truck accident injuries like spinal cord injuries and head injuries.
Cargo Loading and Restraint
Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo can make a truck unstable and cause rollover or loss of control. Cargo must be loaded and restrained according to safety standards to prevent these situations. This will avoid severe injuries and potential fatalities.
Safe Driving
Truck drivers must always practice safe driving. This means following speed limits, avoiding distractions, and not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Safe driving is key to preventing accidents and other vehicles on the road.
Emergency Response and Medical Help
In a truck accident, immediate medical help can save lives and reduce injuries. Emergency response teams should be trained to handle big truck crashes. Quick medical intervention can reduce the effects of traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, and other serious conditions.
Get Treated with Our Injury Doctors ASAP!
Truck accidents can lead to life-altering injuries that require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and legal intervention. Understanding the common injuries associated with these accidents is essential for both prevention and recovery. Whether you’re dealing with head trauma, spinal cord injuries, or broken bones, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
Schedule an appointment with us today at 404-687-9000!
