The size and weight of commercial vehicles lead to more serious and devastating injuries, often resulting in severe injuries when an accident happens.
Accidents involving large trucks are more likely to result in serious injuries or death, especially for occupants of passenger vehicles.
This blog examines the most common type of truck accident injuries and how a Conyers truck crash attorney can help protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accident injury cases often involve severe and life-altering consequences. Truck drivers often face long hours, little rest, and the risks associated with driver fatigue due to inadequate sleep and breaks.
Common causes of truck accidents include driver fatigue, distracted driving, and driving under the influence. Some of the most frequent truck accident injuries include:
Spinal Cord Injuries
Due to the force of impact, most truck accidents cause spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord damage is a serious injury which may cause paralysis, loss of function or loss of sensation to certain parts of the body.
Paralysis truck accident injuries can be especially devastating, and it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention to detect and treat such injuries, as the damage to the spinal cord may not be initially apparent.
The result of these injuries means that victims often suffer from limited movements or complete loss of bodily function, often for the remainder of their lives.
Victims suffering from spinal cord injuries require careful medical treatment as any small movement of an injured spinal cord can cause severe repercussions.
Victims may also require lengthy rehabilitation should the injury have caused paralysis.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Large commercial truck accidents can result in head injuries, including TBIs, which occur when the head sustains a forceful impact or undergoes rapid back and forth movement.
These injuries can cause cognitive impairment, memory loss, and emotional disorders.
The most common types of traumatic brain injuries resulting from passenger vehicle and motorcycle collisions with commercial trucks include concussions, contusions, and penetrating brain injuries.
These injuries may cause individuals to have a difference in cognitive function from before, often altering their lives completely.
Severe Burns
Commercial trucks often carry highly flammable liquids or cargo. When these trucks are involved in an accident this will often result in a spontaneous combustion leading to severe burn for those involved.
These injuries result in excruciating pain, disfigurement, and permanent scarring. Burns are classified into different categories depending on the severity of the damage.
First-degree burns are classified as minor injuries only impacting the outer layer of skin. Second-degree burns are more severe and will affect all subsequent layers of skin often requiring immediate medical attention.
The most destructive type of burn is the third-degree burn. These burns not only affect the skin, but damage will have been caused to the underlying tissue. This may cause permanent disfigurement or loss of bodily function.
Neck and Back Injuries
The force of the impact in broken bones truck crashes can cause back and neck injuries, such as whiplash, herniated discs, or neck and back fractures.
These injuries can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and decreased quality of life.
This type of truck accident injuries will impact the daily lives of individuals suffering from them and will require regular check-ups and rehabilitation to prevent further damage.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end collisions, where the neck is forcefully whipped back and forth.
This can cause damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Other neck injuries may include fractures and herniated discs.
Broken Bones and Fractures
The force of a truck accident can easily cause broken bones and fractures. Commonly affected areas include the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
Recovery from these injuries may involve surgery, immobilization, and physical therapy.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries can be life-threatening and include damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs.
These injuries may result from blunt force trauma or penetration by debris. Prompt medical attention is crucial to address internal bleeding and organ damage.
Lacerations and Contusions
Cuts, scrapes, and bruises are common in truck accidents. While some may be superficial, others can be deep and require stitches or other medical treatment. Severe lacerations can also lead to significant blood loss and infection.
Crush Injuries
In accidents where a vehicle is trapped under or between large trucks, occupants can suffer crush injuries. These injuries can result in severe damage to muscles, bones, and internal organs, often requiring emergency medical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.
Psychological Injuries
Beyond physical injuries, truck accidents can have a profound psychological impact. Victims may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other emotional distress.
Psychological injuries can affect a person’s quality of life and may require therapy and counseling.
Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can occur in various ways, each with its unique causes and consequences.
Understanding the different types of truck accidents can help identify the potential risks and necessary safety measures to prevent them.
Here are some common types of truck accidents:
Jackknife Accidents:
A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab. This can happen when the driver brakes too suddenly or when the trailer loses traction, leading to a loss of control. Jackknife accidents can cause significant damage and block multiple lanes of traffic.
Rear-End Collisions:
Due to their large size and weight, trucks require more time and distance to come to a complete stop. If a truck driver follows too closely or fails to brake in time, they can rear-end the vehicle in front. These collisions can result in severe injuries, especially for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
Underride Accidents:
Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a truck’s trailer. These accidents are particularly deadly, as the top of the smaller vehicle can be sheared off, causing catastrophic injuries or fatalities to the occupants.
Rollover Accidents:
Trucks have a higher center of gravity, making them more prone to rollovers, especially when navigating sharp turns or swerving to avoid obstacles. Rollovers can result from excessive speed, improper loading, or sudden maneuvers. They pose a significant danger to other road users as the truck can crush nearby vehicles.
Blind Spot Accidents:
Trucks have large blind spots on all four sides, known as “no-zones.” If a smaller vehicle is in a truck’s blind spot and the truck driver changes lanes or makes a turn, it can result in a collision. Drivers of smaller vehicles should avoid lingering in these blind spots to reduce the risk of an accident.
Tire Blowouts:
A tire blowout can cause a truck driver to lose control, leading to a serious accident. Blowouts can occur due to poor maintenance, overloading, or manufacturing defects. The debris from a blowout can also pose a hazard to other vehicles on the road.
T-Bone Accidents:
Also known as side-impact collisions, T-bone accidents happen when the front of a truck crashes into the side of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape. These accidents often occur at intersections and can cause severe injuries to the occupants of the struck vehicle.
Wide Turn Accidents:
Trucks need to swing wide to the left before making a right turn, which can catch unsuspecting drivers off guard. If a vehicle tries to pass a turning truck on the right, it can get squeezed between the truck and the curb, leading to a collision.
Head-On Collisions:
Head-on collisions involve the front end of a truck crashing into the front end of another vehicle. These accidents are often fatal due to the force of the impact and are typically caused by driver fatigue, distracted driving, or improper lane usage.
Cargo-Related Accidents:
Improperly loaded or secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unbalanced and leading to accidents such as rollovers or jackknifes. Cargo that falls onto the roadway can also create hazards for other drivers.
Legal Aspects Concerning Truck Accidents
In Conyers, Georgia, personal injury matters such as truck accidents are a common occurrence with the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) reporting a 31% increase in truck accident fatalities since 2009.
Truck accident cases in Conyers, Georgia, are subject to specific laws and regulations that govern the trucking industry.
These laws are enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
Key regulations include hours of service rules, vehicle maintenance and inspection requirements, and load limits and securement.
Steps to Take in a Truck Accident Case
Navigating a truck accident case involves several critical steps to ensure you protect your rights and maximize your compensation. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention:
- Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not manifest immediately. Get a thorough medical examination to document any injuries caused by the accident.
- Report the Accident:
- Call the police and report the accident. An official police report will be crucial for your case as it contains vital details about the incident, witnesses, and preliminary determinations of fault.
- Gather Evidence:
- Collect as much evidence as possible from the scene. Take photographs of the vehicles, your injuries, skid marks, and any road conditions that may have contributed to the accident. Gather contact information from witnesses and get the truck driver’s details, including their employer and insurance information.
- Notify Your Insurance Company:
- Inform your insurance company about the accident. Provide them with the basic facts but refrain from giving a detailed statement until you’ve consulted with an attorney.
- Consult a Truck Accident Attorney:
- Hiring an experienced truck accident attorney is crucial. They can guide you through the legal process, help gather evidence, and deal with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Preserve Evidence:
- Your attorney will send a spoliation letter to the trucking company, which legally requires them to preserve all relevant evidence, such as driver logs, maintenance records, and the truck’s black box data.
- Document Your Injuries and Losses:
- Keep detailed records of your medical treatments, medications, therapy sessions, and any other expenses related to your injuries. Document how your injuries affect your daily life and work capacity.
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies:
- Your attorney will handle negotiations with the insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
- Consider Future Damages:
- Make sure to account for future medical expenses, lost earnings, and long-term rehabilitation needs in your claim. Your attorney might work with medical and economic experts to accurately project these costs.
- File a Lawsuit if Necessary:
- If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may advise filing a lawsuit. They will prepare and present your case in court, aiming to secure the compensation you deserve.
- Stay Informed and Involved:
- Throughout the process, stay informed about the progress of your case. Maintain open communication with your attorney and provide any additional information they may need.
Compensation in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
In a truck accident lawsuit, you can seek compensation for a variety of damages to help cover the financial, physical, and emotional toll the accident has taken on your life.
Compensation typically includes medical expenses, such as hospital bills, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any future medical care related to your injuries.
You can also claim lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working, as well as loss of earning capacity if you are unable to return to your previous job.
Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical pain and emotional distress you have endured.
Additionally, you may be entitled to compensation for property damage to your vehicle and any personal belongings.
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the truck driver’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious, serving as a deterrent to prevent similar behavior in the future.
Seeking legal assistance can help ensure you receive fair compensation for all the losses you have suffered.
Contact a Conyers Truck Accident Attorney for Help
As multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, and insurance company, may be held responsible for a truck accident, a thorough investigation is necessary to identify the responsible party.
Truck accident victims often suffer severe injuries that can impact their quality of life for years. A Conyers truck accident attorney at the Weinstein Law Firm will be able to assist.
Contact us at 770-HELP-NOW for a free consultation.
