27 Common Truck Accident Injuries & Types of Truck Accidents
Understanding common truck accident injuries is crucial for anyone involved in such incidents. Due to the sheer size and weight of trucks, the injuries sustained in truck accidents can be severe and life-altering. Additionally, some victims may experience psychological effects, including PTSD and anxiety, on top of physical injury.
There are several types of truck accidents, each with its own risk profile and potential for causing these injuries. By understanding the common injuries and types of truck accidents, victims can better navigate the aftermath and seek the necessary medical and legal assistance.
14 Common truck accident injuries
Truck accidents can lead to various severe injuries due to the size and weight of these large vehicles. Understanding trucking injuries is important for identifying and addressing the medical needs of victims when working with The Woodlands truck accident lawyer.
Below are the most common types of truck accident injuries, along with detailed explanations of each:
1. Head and Brain Injuries
Head and brain injuries are some of the most serious consequences of truck accidents. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, potentially affecting cognitive and motor functions.
These injuries often result from the high impact of collisions, where the brain is jolted within the skull, causing bruising, bleeding, or tearing of brain tissues. Skull fractures and intracranial hemorrhages are also common, requiring immediate and specialized medical attention. Because brain injuries are so intense, speaking with a brain injury lawyer The Woodlands law firm can help a large truck accident claim greatly.
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are another devastating outcome of 18 wheelers crashes. The force of a collision can cause damage to the spinal cord, leading to partial or complete paralysis. Victims may experience paraplegia or quadriplegia, conditions that require long-term medical care and significantly impact the quality of life.
Herniated discs, vertebral fractures, and nerve damage are also common, often necessitating surgery and prolonged rehabilitation. For more information about the damages accident victims can collect, speak with a spinal cord injury lawyer The Woodlands offers, for more support.
3. Neck and Back Injuries
Neck and back injuries, such as whiplash and herniated discs, are common in truck accidents. Whiplash occurs when the neck is jerked forward and backward, straining the muscles and ligaments. Herniated discs happen when the force of the collision causes the discs in the spine to bulge or rupture, leading to chronic pain and mobility issues. Additionally, fractures of the cervical and lumbar vertebrae are common, often resulting in severe pain and requiring extensive medical treatment.
4. Broken Bones and Fractures
The immense force involved in truck accidents often results in broken bones and fractures. Commonly affected areas include the arms, legs, and ribs. These injuries can be complex, sometimes requiring surgical intervention and long-term rehabilitation to ensure proper healing and regain function. Compound fractures, where the bone pierces the skin, and comminuted fractures, where the bone shatters into multiple pieces, are particularly severe and may necessitate extensive surgical repair.
5. Internal Injuries
Blunt force trauma from a truck accident can cause severe internal injuries. Organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys can be damaged, leading to internal bleeding and other life-threatening conditions. Immediate medical attention is crucial to diagnose and treat these injuries, as they may not be immediately apparent. Pneumothorax (collapsed lung), hemothorax (blood in the chest cavity), and abdominal organ rupture are also common and require emergency surgical intervention.
6. Lacerations and Bruising
Lacerations and bruising are frequent results of 18-wheeler truck accidents, often caused by broken glass or collision impact. Deep cuts may require stitches and can result in significant scarring. Bruises, while less severe, can still be painful and indicate underlying tissue damage.
Avulsions, where the skin is torn away from the underlying tissues, and contusions, which are deep bruises affecting muscles and organs, are also common and can require extensive medical care.
7. Burns
Burns can occur in truck accidents, especially those involving hazardous materials or fuel. These injuries can range from minor burns to severe third-degree burns, which destroy multiple layers of skin. Treatment for severe burns may include skin grafts and extensive recovery periods. Inhalation injuries from smoke and toxic fumes are also common and can lead to serious respiratory complications requiring long-term treatment.
8. Amputations
In catastrophic truck accidents, limbs can be crushed or severely damaged, leading to surgical amputation. This results in permanent disability and the need for prosthetics, along with significant emotional and psychological adjustment for the victim. Traumatic amputations, where the limb is severed at the scene, and surgical amputations, performed to save a victim’s life, both have profound and lasting impacts on the individual’s life.
9. Psychological Injuries
Beyond physical harm, truck accident victims often suffer from psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. These conditions can be long-lasting and may require therapy and support to manage effectively. Victims may also experience severe emotional distress, sleep disturbances, and phobias related to driving or riding in vehicles.
10. Crush Injuries
Crush injuries occur when a part of the body is compressed between two hard surfaces, often seen in truck accidents when a victim is pinned between vehicles or between a vehicle and another object. These injuries can lead to severe damage to muscles, nerves, and tissues, and may require surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation.
11. Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, and tears of muscles, ligaments, and tendons, are common in truck accidents. These injuries can result in significant pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Treatment often involves physical therapy, medication, and, in severe cases, surgery.
12. Facial Injuries
Facial injuries, such as fractures, lacerations, and dental injuries, are common in truck accidents, especially if airbags deploy or if the face impacts the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. These injuries can require reconstructive surgery and extensive dental work, as well as cause significant scarring and disfigurement.
13. Chest Injuries
Chest injuries can result from the impact of a truck accident, including rib fractures, sternum fractures, and injuries to internal organs such as the heart and lungs. These injuries can cause severe pain and may lead to complications such as pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and cardiac contusions, requiring immediate medical attention and potentially surgery.
14. Wrongful Death
Wrongful death is a devastating consequence of truck accidents, often resulting from severe collisions, rollovers, or underride accidents. When a truck accident leads to the death of a loved one, the surviving family members are left to cope with immense grief, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. The loss of a family member can have far-reaching effects, including loss of income, companionship, and support.
Wrongful death claims arise when the fatal accident is caused by the negligence or misconduct of another party, such as a truck driver, trucking company, or manufacturer. Common causes include driver fatigue, speeding, impaired driving, improper maintenance, and failure to adhere to safety regulations.
In the event of a wrongful death, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support and benefits
- Loss of companionship and emotional support
- Medical expenses incurred prior to death
- Pain and suffering of the deceased
If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident, it is essential to seek legal assistance to move forward with a wrongful death claim. An experienced wrongful death lawyer The Woodlands law firm can help you pursue justice, secure the compensation you need to cope with your loss, and hold the responsible parties accountable.
13 Types of truck accidents
Truck accidents can result in severe injuries and extensive damage due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicles involved. Understanding the different types of truck accidents resulting in truck injury is best for comprehending the potential injury risks and the circumstances that lead to these accidents.
Below are the most common types of truck accidents and the causes of truck accidents, along with detailed explanations of each:
1. Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions occur when a truck crashes into the back of another vehicle. These accidents often result from sudden stops, distracted driving, or following too closely. The impact force can cause serious injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicle, including whiplash, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. The size disparity between a truck and a passenger vehicle can amplify the severity of the crash and sway truck accident liability.
2. Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents happen when a truck’s trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, resembling the shape of a folding knife. This can occur due to sudden braking, slippery roads, or driver error. Jackknife accidents can block multiple lanes of traffic and often lead to multi-vehicle pile-ups, causing a range of injuries from fractures to internal damage.
3. Underride Accidents
Underride accidents are among the most deadly types of truck accidents. They occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a truck’s trailer. The roof of the smaller vehicle can be sheared off, leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities for the occupants. Underride accidents often result from sudden stops, poor visibility, or a lack of proper underride guards on the truck.
4. Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents involve a truck tipping over onto its side or roof. High-speed turns, abrupt maneuvers, or uneven road surfaces can cause these accidents. The high center of gravity of trucks makes them particularly susceptible to rollovers. Rollover accidents can cause severe injuries to the truck driver and any nearby vehicles, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and broken bones.
5. T-Bone Collisions
T-bone collisions, also known as side-impact collisions, occur when the front of a truck crashes into the side of another vehicle. These accidents often happen at intersections when a truck runs a red light or fails to yield. T-bone collisions can cause serious injuries to the occupants of the impacted vehicle, including internal bleeding, fractures, and head injuries.
6. Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are one of the most dangerous types of truck accidents. They occur when the front of a truck collides with the front of another vehicle. These accidents can result from wrong-way driving, driver fatigue, or loss of control. The combined speed and mass of the vehicles involved make head-on collisions particularly deadly, often leading to severe injuries or fatalities.
7. Blind Spot Accidents
Blind spot accidents, or “no-zone” accidents, happen when a truck changes lanes or turns without noticing a vehicle in its blind spot. Trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides, especially on the right side and directly behind the trailer. Vehicles caught in these blind spots can be sideswiped or forced off the road, leading to serious injuries such as broken bones and internal damage.
8. Wide Turn Accidents
Wide-turn accidents occur when a truck turns right and swings wide to the left before completing the turn. If another vehicle is caught between the truck and the curb, it can be crushed or sideswiped. These accidents often result from driver inattention or failure to properly check blind spots and can lead to crushing injuries and significant vehicular damage.
9. Tire Blowouts
Tire blowouts happen when a truck’s tire suddenly bursts, causing the driver to lose control. This can lead to the truck swerving into other lanes, rolling over, or colliding with other vehicles. Tire blowouts can be caused by overloading, improper maintenance, or road hazards. The sudden loss of control can result in multi-vehicle accidents and severe injuries.
10. Lost Load Accidents
Lost load accidents occur when cargo falls off a truck and onto the roadway. Improperly secured loads can shift during transit, causing items to spill out. This can create hazardous conditions for other drivers, leading to collisions as they try to avoid the debris. Lost load accidents can cause a range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to severe collisions resulting in traumatic injuries.
11. Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents happen when two vehicles are traveling parallel to each other and the side of one vehicle collides with the side of the other. For trucks, these accidents often occur during lane changes or merges. Sideswipe accidents can cause vehicles to lose control and lead to secondary collisions, resulting in various injuries, including whiplash, fractures, and internal injuries.
12. Brake Failure Accidents
Brake failure accidents involve a truck losing its ability to stop due to mechanical failure. This can occur due to improper maintenance, worn-out brake pads, or overheating brakes. When a truck experiences brake failure, it can lead to high-speed collisions with other vehicles or objects, causing severe injuries and extensive property damage.
13. Inclement Weather Accidents
Inclement weather accidents are caused by adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, ice, fog, or high winds. These conditions can reduce visibility, decrease traction, and make it difficult for trucks to stop or maneuver. Weather-related accidents can lead to a variety of injuries, including hypothermia, fractures, and traumatic brain injuries.
By being aware of these commercial truck accident types, drivers can take precautions to avoid them, and victims can better navigate the aftermath to seek the necessary medical and legal assistance.
Have you suffered a truck accident injury in The Woodlands?
Truck accidents and tractor trailers crashes can have devastating consequences, leading to severe injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial burdens. If you have suffered a truck accident injury in The Woodlands, you must understand your rights and seek the proper legal assistance, especially if wondering what to do after a truck accident.
Our experienced truck accident lawyers are here to help you through this challenging time when sustaining trucking injury and damages. We understand the complexities of truck accident cases and are committed to securing the compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one is dealing with a trucking injury, don’t wait to seek legal assistance. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced truck accident attorneys. We are here to fight for your rights and help you on the road to recovery.