Truck crashes are prevalent due to negligent drivers, poor driving conditions, improper loading, and unmaintained trucks, and they cause significant injuries. Truck injuries can be life-changing and result in substantial hospital bills, loss of income, physical disability, and even death. Whether you sustained mild or severe injuries from a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, from these truck crash attorneys can help secure compensation for any damages. Read on to learn five common types of truck accident injuries.
Broken Bones
Victims of truck accidents may get broken, dislocated, and fractured bones. Since the body has more than 200 bones, fractures can take different forms, some more severe than others. Broken bones are classified into four categories; impacted, spiral, complete, and comminuted.
Common fractures during truck crashes are arm, wrist, tibia, femur, back, rib, and pelvis fractures. The treatment for broken bones depends on the severity. Minor injuries can be treated with casts and splints, while severe ones require surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Identifying broken bones and seeking proper medical care is fundamental to recovery and maintaining good health.
Head Injuries
Blows to the head or violent shaking during an accident can lead to head injuries. These injuries differ in severity and can have long-term and adverse effects on your life. Common head injuries are concussions, hematomas, contusions, hemorrhages, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
When something hits a victim’s head with huge force, they get a concussion. They can experience side effects like unconsciousness, headaches, reduced alertness, or complete loss of function. An intense blow or jolt to the head results in TBI with severe and lifelong health problems. After a crash, comprehensive examination and cognitive testing are vital to identify brain injuries because most don’t show up immediately.
Burns
Commercial trucks have large fuel tanks, increasing the probability of leaks and catching fire after an accident. Also, trucks carrying chemicals and other combustibles have a high risk of explosion. If a truck explodes, victims suffer numerous burn injuries, ranging from mild to severe.
Severe burn injuries are life-threatening and may result in infections, fluid loss, hypothermia, and amputations. Also, they come with life-long struggles such as permanent scars and functional impairment. It is not uncommon for burn victims to get emotional issues such as nightmares, anxiety, and flashbacks from a traumatizing event.
Amputation
Among the most severe and catastrophic truck accident injuries is amputation, involving the removal of an extremity. An amputation can emanate from the enormous pressure of a crash or an injury sustained. For instance, a victim’s limb can be severely damaged, making amputation the only option. Also, amputation may be required for an extremity with poor blood flow and worsening infection.
Loss of a limb has three primary implications. First, physical injuries are associated with losing a lost limb, from the pain of amputation, healing the limb, and coping with a prosthesis. Second, victims suffer emotionally, and depression, PTSD, and denial are commonplace. An accident’s severity and the aftermath of a lost limb take a toll on many victims. Lastly, amputation is costly, from massive medical bills to rehabilitation and lost wages.
Whiplash Injuries
While whiplash refers to neck injuries from car accidents, truck accidents can also lead to whiplash injuries. They occur when victims’ neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons are overstretched. You may experience side effects like dizziness, neck pain, blurred vision, back stiffness, and headaches. However, these symptoms may take up to 24 hours to show.
Although trucks are a fundamental part of the economy, they cause injuries to unsuspecting motorists, pedestrians, and other road users during accidents. From burns to broken bones, head injuries, and loss of limbs, truck accident injuries are catastrophic and affect victims’ quality of life substantially.
