Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries for victims, many of which can permanently change their lives. This is not surprising, given the staggering weight of these vehicles. The average semi-truck weighs around 80,000lbs, while a standard car typically weighs about 5,000lbs. When this massive vehicle is sent hurling into the other at full force, the crash is highly likely to result in several serious forms of nerve injuries, fractures, severe lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, and more.
Injuries that May Be Caused by Truck Crashes
After a truck accident, it is crucial that you seek medical attention immediately, as you are likely to have sustained one or more of the injuries listed below:
- Fractures: Numerous body parts can be severely impacted by blunt-force trauma in a truck accident. Depending on the details of your crash, you might suffer simple or compound fractures for any of the following:
- Face
- Neck
- Ribs
- Sternum
- Pelvis
- Leg
- Foot
- Ankle
- Arm
- Hand
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): If your body was suddenly jerked in any direction during the crash, or you suffered a blow directly to your skull, you may be vulnerable to short- or long-term brain damage. While some TBIs can be treated within a few days, others may have lasting consequences and might result in early death.
- Spinal injuries: When the body is twisted in a certain way, this can result in either vertebral fractures or severe tears to the spinal cord. This is likely to cause paralysis or a severe reduction in mobility and sensation in certain parts of the body.
- Whiplash: Truck accidents are likely to car passengers so violently that their neck is moved too abruptly and harshly. These sharp, sudden movements can sprain the soft tissue in the neck, which can make the victim vulnerable to chronic pain or the development of further neck problems. However, whiplash is often resolved within a few weeks.
- Internal injuries: The blunt force a truck collision can cause internal fractures or organ damage, resulting in extensive internal bleeding. This is a high risk in circumstances where the ribs or sternum are broken, as the bones may penetrate organs like the heart or lungs. In some cases, this injury can result in death, especially if infection sets in. Other organs at risk of such damage include:
- Liver
- Stomach
- Spleen
- Kidneys
- Bowels
Additional Impacts of Truck Collisions
Not all injuries resulting from truck crashes are physical. These accidents can harm victims’ psychological and emotional health, often resulting in conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Victims may no longer feel safe when operating a vehicle, and may never be able to drive on specific roads or near trucks ever again.
Further, disfigurement caused by any of the injuries above has often been the cause of depression for some victims, as they may no longer feel like themselves after the crash. Anyone who has lost a loved one in a truck accident is certainly at risk of developing severe depression as well. It is for these reasons that not only should you seek a physician’s care after a truck crash, but psychiatric services, too. Remember that you can file a claim for these incidents, so you don’t have to take on the full burden of medical care on your own.
