Truck accidents are some of the most common and severe road-related accidents. Because trucks are larger and heavier than cars, they have more momentum when colliding with other vehicles, which can cause more damage.
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a truck, you may be wondering what injuries you could get from it. Truck accidents can cause the following:
- Serious Head Injuries
One of the most common injuries victims get from truck accidents is serious head injury. This can range from concussions to traumatic brain injury, also known as TBI, which can leave victims permanently impaired or disabled.
A blow to the head is any sudden impact on the skull that causes it to move quickly inside the skull’s protective lining and collide with other parts of the brain. This kind of damage can cause temporary or permanent impairment in brain function.
Head injuries can be fatal if not treated properly. If you or someone you know has been injured in a large truck accident, don’t wait until it’s too late to seek medical attention. Then, consider getting legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney to help you in proving who’s at fault in a truck accident.
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Truck accidents can cause spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are among the most severe and debilitating personal injury cases. They can result in permanent disability and even death.
The spinal cord is located in the back and neck area of the body. It sends messages between the brain and other body parts to control movement, sensation, heart rate, and other vital functions. There are two types of SCIs:
- Complete SCI
A complete SCI is a devastating medical condition that occurs when the spinal cord is completely severed or damaged. It’s a life-altering event that can cause permanent paralysis and loss of sensation below the injury site.
The effects of a complete SCI can be devastating. In addition to paralysis and loss of sensation, a person with a complete SCI may experience various other physical and psychological symptoms. These can include chronic pain, spasticity, bladder and bowel problems, sexual dysfunction, depression, and difficulty breathing.
- Incomplete SCI
Incomplete SCI is a spinal cord injury that occurs when the spinal cord is partially damaged. Various factors, including trauma, tumors, infections, and degenerative diseases, can cause incomplete SCI.
Incomplete SCI can result in a wide range of symptoms, depending on the severity of the injury and the area of the spinal cord that’s affected. Common symptoms of incomplete SCI include paralysis, sensation loss, and motor control. Paralysis can range from partial to complete and can affect any body part, including the arms, legs, and torso. Loss of sensation or motor control can range from mild to severe and can also affect any part of the body.
- Whiplash
Whiplash happens when the head is quickly jerked forward or backward, causing the ligaments in the neck to stretch or tear. Whiplash can also occur when a person’s head suddenly moves in a different direction from the rest of their body.
Whiplash symptoms include:
- Pain or stiffness that lasts more than a few days
- Numbness or tingling
- Limited movement
- A headache that goes away when you move your neck
Whiplash injuries are generally caused by sudden stops, rapid acceleration and deceleration, turning corners sharply, and hitting other vehicles from behind. Most whiplash injuries occur in rear-end collisions with no visible damage to either car.
- Fractured Bones
A fracture occurs when a bone is broken into two or more pieces. This can happen to any bone in your body, but it most often affects your arms, legs, and ribs. The surrounding tissues or nerves may be damaged if a bone is fractured.
The severity of a fracture depends on how much force was applied to it and where it occurred. For example, a minor fracture may not require surgery or treatment other than resting the injured area for several weeks or months. On the other hand, if a powerful impact significantly damages the bone, surgery might be needed to realign or set the bones properly so they can heal properly.
The main types of fractures include:
- Simple Fractures: The bone may be cracked or broken into two pieces.
- Open Fractures: This fracture involves the skin and tissue around the break. If there is dirt in your wound, it can cause an infection.
- Compound Fractures: This type of fracture involves an injury to soft tissue and bone damage.
- Internal Organ Damage
Internal organs include the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. These organs aren’t protected by bones or muscle tissue, so they’re vulnerable to damage during an accident. Internal injuries can also occur when someone’s thrown from a car during a crash or if they’re slammed into a steering wheel or dashboard.
Internal organ injuries can range from minor to life-threatening and include:
- Lacerations: A laceration occurs when soft tissue is cut open. Sharp objects, such as broken glass or metal shards, can cause it. Lacerations are typically deep wounds that require stitches to close them up.
- Crushing Injuries: A crushing injury occurs when one part of the body impacts another part with high force, causing bruising on both surfaces and internal bleeding and swelling within the body’s tissues. Car crashes, falls, and other accidents involving moving objects like furniture or heavy machinery often cause crushing injuries.
- Hemorrhage: Hemorrhaging occurs when blood vessels burst due to trauma sustained in an accident.
Many times, internal organ damage is not immediately apparent after an accident. It may take days or even weeks for symptoms to appear. It’s essential to seek medical attention immediately so that doctors can determine if there has been any internal organ damage caused by the accident.
Final Thoughts
Truck accidents can cause various injuries that can be extremely serious and fatal. You should be seeking medical treatment immediately if you get into an accident.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be able to avoid surgery or other invasive procedures. You’d also do well to consult with a personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you understand your rights and handle your injury claim appropriately.