Four Common Truck Accident Injuries

When a massive truck collides with your average-sized passenger vehicle, it is far more likely for people inside the passenger vehicle to sustain serious injuries, than it is for the driver of the truck. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,761 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks in 2017. This was a 9% increase from 2016. 72% (3,450) of the injuries in these accidents were inflicted on occupants in other vehicles, while occupants of large trucks accounted for 18% (841). The following are four common types of personal injuries frequently suffered in truck accidents:

#1: Back & Neck Injuries

Back and neck injuries in these types of accidents are usually the result of trauma to the spinal cord and neck muscles. Damaged ligaments and disks in the spinal column can cause paralysis or other loss of function in a person’s limbs or other portions of the body. When the vehicle suddenly jerks from the impact of the collision, it can damage ligaments in the neck. This type of neck injury is usually referred to as “whiplash.” Both neck and back injuries can be debilitating and excruciatingly painful.

#2: Traumatic Brain Injuries

Major blows or jolts to the head that are the result of truck accidents can cause a person’s brain to hit the inside of their skull. Objects that penetrate the skull can also result in traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs can substantially affect a person’s ability to function, as well as their short-term and long-term memory. Complications from TBIs can lead to premature death.

#3: Broken Bones

The blunt-force trauma of truck accidents can result in broken bones throughout the body. Common bones broken in these types of accidents include legs, feet, ankle, arms, hands, collarbone, pelvis, sternum, neck, spine, ribs, and the skull. Compound and complex bone fractures can require surgery and lengthy hospital stays. Even minor broken bones can prevent a person from working and cause lifelong impairment.

#4: Limb Loss & Amputation

Amputation of legs arms, fingers, toes, and other parts of the body can occur during a truck accident. Whether the limb was severed or crushed, these devastating injuries require advanced medical treatments and extensive rehabilitation to successfully recover. Amputations might also require a person to hire caretakers to assist with their daily needs.

Helping Clients Recover Compensation After Truck Accidents

At Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, we are committed to helping the injured clients we serve bring justice to the negligent drivers or truck companies that harmed them. If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler truck, you might be able to recover compensation to cover your bills and losses. Please reach out to our firm today to speak to a seasoned truck accident attorney.

Call (800) 462-7160 to request a free case consultation with Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP today.

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