Nobody wants to face a collision with a commercial truck. While an accident with any vehicle can cause someone to get hurt, accidents involving large 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and tractor-trailers can escalate the situation. For starters, the size disparity between these vehicles and the cars commonly driven by private citizens is vast, as big rig trucks can weigh 70,000-80,000 pounds, while the average four-door sedan weighs around 4,000 pounds.
While a truck accident victim can cause injuries ranging from minor scrapes to wrongful death, certain injuries are more common than others. Below are five types of injuries commonly suffered by people hurt in truck accidents.
Back and Neck Injuries
- The human spine is composed of different segments. The neck area is referred to as the cervical spine. The regions below that are the thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal regions. All in all, there are 33 vertebrae in the human spine. The most common spinal injuries are sprains and strains, which produce side effects such as soreness, stiffness, and tightness. More painful injuries are pinched nerves and herniated discs that could require injections or surgery. A victim could also fracture one or more vertebrae.
Broken Bones
- Broken bones can be common throughout the body, including the spine, arms, legs, ankles, or feet. Fractures can range in severity. For instance, a hairline fracture is a small crack within a bone, and it may heal on its own over time. On the other hand, a compound fracture is when the fracture pierces the skin. Less severe fractures can heal on their own, while more complex fractures can require extensive medical treatment such as surgery. Most victims of a fracture will need to wear a cast and/or boot for an extended period of time, possibly several weeks or months, and complete an intensive physical therapy regimen as part of the recovery process.
Lacerations
- Lacerations and scarring can be common in any type of accident. They can be caused by the seat belt rubbing against your skin. Cut-wounds could be caused by coming into contact with sharp objects, such as glass. To treat lacerations, stitches could be necessary. While some lacerations heal on their own, others turn into scars that can last a lifetime. In any event, you should take photographs of any areas in which you sustained bruising or scarring. These photographs can be used as evidence in your case.
Head Injuries
- Head injuries are some of the most severe truck accident injuries. They range in severity from headaches to concussions, all the way to traumatic brain injuries. Head injuries can be caused by one’s head violently snapping back and forth after a collision, or from direct trauma with an object, such as the steering wheel. Side effects of head trauma can include skull fractures, bleeding on the brain, or nerve damage. Whenever head injuries are suspected, it is recommended to seek follow up care with a specialist.
Shoulder Injuries
- The most common forms of shoulder injuries are a fractured clavicle, dislocated shoulder, and torn rotator cuff. A torn rotator cuff can cause excruciating pain, not only to that area, but also radiating down the arm. To treat a torn rotator cuff, a doctor may prescribe steroid injections, but if those do not work as intended, surgery is likely an option. Shoulder injuries can be extremely painful while limiting the victim’s ability to work, especially if your job requires lifting objects.
Common truck accident injuries, while different in nature, can all cause a victim to incur significant medical bills, miss work, and endure severe pain. State laws allow for injured victims to recover these losses in a personal injury claim. To learn about your right to recover fair compensation, contact the law office of Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz. Our personal injury attorneys, serving those throughout Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Kentucky, can be reached by filling our online form or calling 800-529-4004. We offer a free consultation, and as a client, you do not owe attorney fees until your case is successful.