Big rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, large freight trucks, tanker trucks, cement trucks, and delivery vehicles are all types of large trucks.A large truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while an average passenger vehicle weighs only around 4,000 pounds. Because large trucks dwarf cars, an accident with one can be catastrophic.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Some truck accident injuries are minor, while others can be deadly. According to theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA), in 2021, fatalities in crashes involving at least one large truck were up 13% compared to 2020. And in 2020,107,000 large truckswere involved in crashes resulting in injury.The most common truck injuries include:
Cuts, bruises, and lacerations. Cuts and bruises are less severe than head or spine trauma but still can require treatment and cause permanent damage. Injuries from shattered glass, sharp metal, or unrestrained objects inside a car can potentially result in disfiguring scars or even life-threatening infections.
Broken bones. Crushed or broken bones are common in truck accidents because of the massive impact force.
Back and neck injuries. Whiplashcan occur when a person’s head and neck snap forward but their torso stays in place. Whiplash can take days after the accident to cause pain and other symptoms.
Spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries could result in partial, temporary, or complete paralysis of the torso or lower body. Recovering from a spinal cord injury may involve months or years of treatments, surgeries, and physical therapy and can leave a victim permanently disabled.
Head and brain injuries. Head injuries may present as a minor bruise or a mild concussion. Or it may be a traumatic brain injury, which can have long-lasting or even permanent effects.
Burns. If a truck’s fuel tank ruptures, a fire can ignite and engulf the truck or surrounding passenger cars.
Amputation and disfigurement. The crushing force of a collision can cause amputation. Amputation victims may require continuing medical treatment and adaptive devices like prosthetics to function.
Internal injuries. Strong forces from an airbag, seatbelt, or other car parts can cause blunt internal trauma to the abdomen, bladder, spleen, liver, pancreas, or kidney. Or a broken rib could puncture a lung or create other internal damage.
A skilled truck accident attorney can determine your injuries’ current and future long-term costs. They will fight to hold liable parties accountable so you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert Today
If a truck accident has affected your life, the truck accident attorneys at the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert can help you down the path to recovery. From exhaustive investigations to tense negotiations, our Texas Board Certified highly rated attorneys never back down from a fight. We are fearless in using aggressive legal strategies or going to court to pursue your maximum truck accident compensation. With over 1,000 personal injury lawsuits filed and resolved, you can rest assured that at the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, your truck accident injury claim is in the best hands possible. Contact or call us today at 214-441-6196 for a free consultation.
