Common truck accident injuries, such as whiplash, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), vary widely in severity. These accidents often involve rear-end collisions, jackknife incidents, and rollovers, each posing unique risks. Understanding these types of truck accident cases and injuries is important to ensure proper compensation.
9 Common truck accident injuries
Truck accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering conditions. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks often magnify the impact of collisions, leading to specific types of trucking injuries that are distinct from those in typical car accidents.
This is why having an Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer on your side after heavy truck accident injuries is beneficial. In a commercial truck accident, 18-wheeler truck accidents or tractor trailers crashes, these are the following common personal injuries:
1. Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jerked backward and then forward, causing soft tissue damage in the neck. It is a common injury in rear-end collisions, where the impact forces the neck beyond its normal range of motion.
Symptoms typically include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and sometimes shoulder or upper back pain. While whiplash often resolves with time and conservative treatment such as rest, ice, and pain medication, severe cases may require physical therapy or chiropractic care.
2. Spinal Injuries
Truck accidents can lead to a range of spinal injuries, from relatively mild to severe and life-altering. Herniated discs, for example, occur when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior casing, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.
More severe spinal injuries, such as fractures of the vertebrae or spinal cord damage, can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, or loss of motor function below the injury site. Treatment for spinal injuries from 18 wheelers crashes may involve immobilization with braces, surgery to stabilize the spine, and extensive rehabilitation to regain function and manage pain.
Having an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer to help with your accident may help your overall settlement amount. Most wonder when to consult a lawyer for a truck accident, but the answer is, as soon as possible.
3. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
TBIs are caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head, which can occur in truck accidents due to the impact of a collision or objects within the vehicle. The severity of TBIs can range from mild concussions, where symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and confusion may be temporary, to severe brain damage resulting in long-term cognitive impairment, personality changes, or coma.
Immediate medical attention is key to assess and treat TBIs, which may include imaging tests, monitoring for complications like bleeding or swelling in the brain, and rehabilitation therapies tailored to help regain lost functions and cope with cognitive and emotional challenges. Additionally, speaking with a brain injury lawyer to help your case is recommended.
4. Bone Fractures
Truck accidents often result in bone fractures due to the force exerted on the body during impact. Fractures can occur in various body parts, including ribs, limbs, and facial bones. Rib fractures are common and can cause significant pain with breathing, while fractures of the limbs may require surgery for realignment and stabilization.
Facial fractures, such as those affecting the jaw or cheekbones, may necessitate reconstructive surgery to restore function and appearance. Recovery from bone fractures typically involves immobilization, pain management, physical therapy, and sometimes surgical intervention, depending on the severity and location of the fracture.
5. Internal Organ Damage
The sheer force of a truck collision can cause significant damage to internal organs, even without external signs of injury. Organs such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs are particularly vulnerable to injury from blunt trauma or penetration by broken bones or objects within the vehicle. Internal bleeding, organ perforation, or functional impairment can result, requiring immediate medical intervention to stabilize the victim’s condition and prevent life-threatening complications.
Treatment may involve surgery to repair or remove damaged organs, intensive care to monitor and support organ function, and long-term medical management to promote recovery and prevent secondary complications.
6. Lacerations and Bruises
Truck accidents can lead to cuts, bruises, and abrasions due to contact with shattered glass, vehicle interiors, or other objects. While often less severe than other injuries, these wounds can still pose risks of infection and may require stitches, wound cleaning, or tetanus vaccination, depending on the nature and extent of the injury.
Bruises (contusions) occur when blood vessels beneath the skin rupture, causing discoloration and localized pain. Proper wound care, including cleaning, dressing changes, and monitoring for signs of infection, is essential to promote healing and prevent complications.
7. Burns
Truck accidents involving fires or chemical spills can cause burn injuries ranging from mild to life-threatening. Thermal burns result from direct contact with flames or hot surfaces, while chemical burns occur from exposure to hazardous substances. Burns are classified by severity into degrees, with third-degree burns affecting deeper layers of skin and potentially underlying tissues.
Burn treatment may involve debridement (removal of damaged tissue), wound care with specialized dressings, skin grafts to promote healing, and rehabilitation to minimize scarring and regain function in affected areas. Long-term medical care and psychological support are often necessary for burn survivors to manage pain, prevent infections, and address emotional trauma associated with the injury.
8. Psychological Trauma
Beyond physical injuries, truck accidents can have profound psychological effects on victims. The emotional trauma of a serious accident can lead to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, mood swings, and avoidance of reminders of the accident. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, medication to manage symptoms, and support groups to help victims cope with and overcome their traumatic experiences.
9. Wrongful Death
Truck accidents can tragically result in wrongful death, leaving families devastated and facing significant emotional and financial challenges. When a loved one dies due to a truck accident caused by negligence or misconduct, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim.
These claims seek compensation for damages such as funeral expenses, medical bills, lost income, and the emotional suffering endured by the survivors. Establishing liability in such cases often involves demonstrating negligence on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company, or other parties involved.
Legal assistance from an experienced wrongful death lawyer is essential to work through the complexities of wrongful death claims and pursue justice for the loss of a loved one.
8 Types of truck accidents
Knowing the different types of truck accidents is important if you or someone you know has been injured in one. These accidents can happen in various ways, each with its own impact and legal considerations. But, who is liable in a truck accident?
Liability typically involves determining responsibility among parties such as the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loading company, and manufacturers of faulty equipment. Liability hinges on factors like driver negligence, maintenance issues, and adherence to safety regulations, all of which are crucial in ensuring victims receive fair compensation for their injuries and damages.
If you have sustained a truck injury, its likely from one of the following types of accidents and causes of truck accidents listed below:
1. Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions occur when a truck crashes into the vehicle in front of it. These accidents often happen due to sudden stops, distracted driving, or inadequate braking distances. Injuries can range from whiplash and back injuries to more severe spinal injuries or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), depending on the force of impact.
2. Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents happen when a truck’s trailer swings outward, forming an angle with the cab of the truck. This can occur due to sudden braking, slippery road conditions, or improper loading. Jackknife accidents pose a significant hazard to other vehicles on the road and can lead to multi-vehicle collisions, severe injuries, and extensive property damage.
3. Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents occur when a truck tips onto its side or rolls over completely. These accidents are often caused by high-speed turns, uneven road surfaces, or improper cargo distribution. Rollover accidents are particularly dangerous due to the risk of crushing injuries, ejection from the vehicle, and hazardous material spills, which can lead to fires or environmental hazards.
4. Underride Accidents
Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a truck’s trailer. These accidents are extremely dangerous and often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities for occupants of the smaller vehicle. Improved underride guards and cautious driving can help mitigate the severity of these accidents.
5. Blind Spot Accidents
Trucks have large blind spots, known as “no-zones,” where smaller vehicles can disappear from view. Blind spot accidents occur when a truck changes lanes or makes a turn without seeing a vehicle in its blind spot. These accidents can lead to sideswipe collisions, forcing smaller vehicles off the road or into adjacent lanes.
6. Wide Turn Accidents
Trucks require wide turns due to their size and length. Wide turn accidents occur when a truck swings wide to make a turn, colliding with vehicles in adjacent lanes or pedestrians in crosswalks. These accidents often result from misjudgment of space or failure to signal intentions properly.
7. Tire Blowout Accidents
Tire blowouts on trucks can cause loss of control and lead to accidents. Blowouts may occur due to overloading, poor maintenance, or road hazards. A sudden blowout can cause the truck to veer into other lanes or off the road, potentially colliding with other vehicles or causing rollover accidents.
8. Cargo Spill Accidents
Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can shift or spill from a truck, causing accidents. Cargo spill accidents can lead to road obstructions, collisions with other vehicles, or hazards for pedestrians and nearby properties. Proper loading and securing of cargo are essential to prevent these types of accidents.
Have you suffered a truck accident injury in Oklahoma City?
If you’ve experienced a trucking injury in Oklahoma City, having to deal with the aftermath can be overwhelming and stressful. Most are left asking, what to do after an 18 wheeler accident, or who should be called for help. Seeking the right legal assistance is necessary to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today if you need a truck accident lawyer. We’re here to help you navigate your legal options and pursue justice for your serious injuries after a large truck accident.