The Types of Injuries a Victim Suffers in a Truck Accident

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There’s a National Safety Council statistic that states that 117,300 large trucks were involved in accidents in the year 2021. To make things worse, this number is a 12% increase from 2020.

Technology and education programs are supposed to make things easier. Based on the statistics above, it’s clear that something is not working as intended.

The concept of technology and trucks is a topic for another day. What’s important now is raising awareness about truck accidents. What injuries can you, as a victim of a truck accident, expect to sustain?

This information will help in identifying potential causes and making the necessary changes.

Injuries in Truck Accidents

Trucks are big vehicles. There’s no hiding this fact. Being on the receiving end of a collision with a truck is a hellish experience. Their size increases the probability of severe injuries, disability, and death considerably. The probability increases if the trucks are traveling at high speeds.

Victims can expect any of the following injuries after being involved in a truck accident. The injuries listed are in order of severity.

Brain Injury

Brain injuries are among the most severe injuries one could suffer in a truck accident. What makes brain injuries deadly is the fact that sometimes they are asymptomatic. By the time the symptom appears, the condition will have gotten much worse.

Most brain injuries have the following symptoms:

• Swelling or pain
• Headaches
• Vision problems
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Speech and coordination issues
• Loss of sensation in the limbs

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is a vital part of the body that manages the motor and sensory functions of the body. The nerves used by the brain to communicate with the body are shielded by the spinal cord. An injury to the spinal cord risks injury to these nerves.

Victims of truck accidents exhibit one or more of these symptoms if they experience a spinal cord injury.

• Loss of movement
• Reduced sensation
• Alterations in sexual functions
• Pain or intense stinging sensation
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Breathing issues
• Severe back pain
• Weakness or paralysis in any specific part of the body
• Abnormally-positioned neck or back

Burn Injuries

The chances of a fire breaking out in a truck accident are comparatively low. Damaged gas tanks and sparks from severed wires tend to start fires. Things could quickly get disastrous if the occupants of the vehicle(s) are trapped inside after the accident.

Another possibility of a fire breaking out is when a truck carrying inflammable material is involved in a collision.

In general, burn injuries are split into four categories.

1. First Degree Burns: The outer layer of the skin (epidermis) is damaged.
2. Second Degree Burns: The outer layer (epidermis) and the inner layer (dermis) are damaged. Chances of damage to sweat glands and hair follicles.
3. Third Degree Burns: Damage to nerve endings. Both skin layers are fully damaged.
4. Fourth Degree Burns: Severe damage to all layers of the skin. Damage also extends to bones, muscles, and tendons.

Amputations

An amputation occurs when the victim loses a limb due to a truck accident. This can happen in instances where the impact of the accident crushes a part of the body.

There is also another situation where a victim may lose a limb. Sometimes they may get trapped under a huge piece of debris. Amputation might be the only solution to freeing the victim.

Internal Organ Injuries

The sudden jolt the occupants of a vehicle or truck get during an accident can cause serious damage. The impact causes blunt force trauma, which damages the internal organs.

There are also chances that fractured bones may pierce an organ. These come under internal organ injuries as well.

The potential internal organ injuries a truck accident victim could experience include:

• Punctured lung
• Liver injury
• Pooling blood in the abdomen
• Rupture of the aorta

Fractures

Fractures happen when the impact of the accident breaks a bone or multiple bones in the body. The impact of the accident aside, things inside the cabin have the potential to break bones as well. Being run over by a vehicle or crushed between two objects may cause fractures.

Fractures are generally classified into 2. They are:

1. Incomplete Fracture: A crack in the bone.
2. Complete Fracture: The bone breaks into multiple pieces.

Soft Tissue Injuries

During a truck accident, the victim can suffer injuries to the tendons, ligaments, or muscles. These injuries are categorized as soft tissue injuries. Although these don’t have any dangerous consequences, the victim must seek medical attention immediately. Common soft tissue injuries include:

• Sprains
• Strains
• Contusions
• Stress fractures
• Lacerations

Conclusion

A medical checkup after an accident is important. This has three benefits.

One: You get treatment for your injuries.

Two: You get a diagnosis of hidden injuries.

Three: Your lawyer will use these medical bills and doctor statements as evidence to claim compensation.

Don’t overlook the importance of medical attention after a truck accident. It will save your life. Also, don’t forget to contact a lawyer to speed up the compensation process.