Accidents between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles often result in devastating injuries. Commercial trucks weigh so much more than traditional passenger vehicles that it is difficult for safety features in these smaller vehicles to prevent severe injuries in a crash.
In 2015 alone, approximately 2,657 occupants of traditional passenger vehicles were killed in truck accidents, accounting for 69 percent of the total number of truck crash fatalities, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a truck collision, the South Bend truck accident attorneys of Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak may be able to obtain compensation for the damages you have suffered. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.
Below is a guide to some of the injuries commonly sustained in trucking accidents:
Head Injuries
These injuries typically occur in head-on collisions. Common truck accident head injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Brain damage
- Broken facial bones
- Damaged brain cells
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries commonly result from the impact of a truck accident. Damage can occur in:
- Muscles
- Joints
- Ligaments
Whiplash
Whiplash is a very common neck injury, often occurring in rear-end truck accidents. The impact of a rear-end collision propels the body and neck forward before the neck is brought to a sudden stop. This creates a whipping motion that can cause injuries.
Whiplash ranges from mild to severe. Its effects can be long-lasting, and include:
- Pain when moving the neck
- Limited range of neck motion
- Numbness in arms
- Pain in the upper back, arms and shoulders
Back Injuries
A truck accident may result in back injuries ranging in severity, which can affect the back’s soft tissues, muscles and bones.
Truck accident back injuries can lead to severe pain and require lengthy rehabilitation to treat, and some victims will experience pain for the rest of their lives.
Types of back injuries sustained in truck accidents include:
- Herniated discs – This occurs when the impact of the accident tears the discs that cushion spinal vertebrae. The inner material of the disc is pushed out of position, where it comes into contact with nerves. Herniated discs result in severe pain and victims may suffer weakness or numbness in the arms and legs, depending on the location of the herniation.
- Spinal cord injuries – These may cause temporary or permanent damage. Even temporary spinal cord injuries require extensive rehabilitation to treat. Permanent injuries may cause paralysis.
Broken Bones
Blunt force trauma often occurs in truck accidents, leading to broken bones and fractures. A cast or even surgery may be necessary to treat broken bones.
This injury often occurs in the:
- Hands and wrists
- Facial bones and skull
- Arms
- Legs
- Ribs
- Pelvis
Wrist Injuries
The wrists may be damaged in a truck accident as they make contact with items inside the vehicle. The delicate bones, ligaments, tendons and joints can sustain injuries such as:
- Fractures to the wrist, scaphoid bone, knuckles and fingers
- Sprains
- Torn ligaments
- Dislocated joints
- Tendon damage
- Crush injuries
Internal Injuries
The force and impact of a truck accident has the potential to cause internal injuries. These injuries are not detected visually like many other accident injuries. That is why it is critical that you be evaluated by a physician after an accident to diagnose and treat any resulting internal injuries.
Truck accidents may cause internal injuries to these organs:
- Pancreas
- Spleen
- Kidneys
- Bladder
- Liver
Burns
Eighteen-wheelers have much larger fuel tanks than the average passenger vehicle. Accidents can damage fuel tanks, causing fuel to spill out, which may result in large fires breaking out. Victims may sustain burns ranging in severity, causing scarring or even death.
Consult Our Lawyers Today
If you were injured in a truck crash, you should strongly consider contacting a truck accident attorney for legal representation.
Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak’s personal injury lawyers in South Bend know how to construct a strong case that can help improve your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our lawyers have thorough knowledge of laws governing the trucking industry and know how to apply that knowledge to your claim.
Request a free, no-obligation case consultation today. There are no legal fees unless you collect compensation for your injuries.
Call (574) 444-0741 for help with your claim today.
