Truck accidents can be horrifying experiences, especially due to the high likelihood of devastating injuries. Victims of truck accidents are more likely than “traditional” car crash victims to suffer serious injuries as a result of the heavy weight and size disparity between trucks and other vehicles on the road.
Some of the most common catastrophic injuries associated with truck accidents include the following.
Amputations
The massive force of impact in truck crashes can result in extremities getting trapped, crushed or severed, leading to traumatic amputations. In many cases, victims may lose arms, legs, hands or feet either at the scene of the accident or as a medical necessity due to irreparable damage. These amputations not only cause immediate physical trauma but also result in long-term challenges such as phantom limb pain, psychological distress and the need for extensive rehabilitation and prosthetic care.
Traumatic brain injuries
Truck accident victims are also susceptible to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which occur when the head sustains a sudden, violent blow or jolt during the collision. The sheer force involved in truck crashes can cause occupants to strike their heads against hard surfaces or suffer penetrating head wounds from flying debris. TBIs range in severity from concussions to severe diffuse axonal injuries, often leading to cognitive impairments, memory loss, difficulties with speech and language and changes in behavior and mood.
Spinal injuries
Due to the immense impact forces involved in truck crashes, victims are at high risk of sustaining spinal injuries. The sudden deceleration or violent jolts experienced during the collision can lead to fractures, dislocations or compression of the vertebrae in the spinal column. These spinal injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the damage.
When a truck accident occurs as a result of negligence, a victim may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties. No amount of compensation can fully make up for catastrophic suffering, but it can ease financial burdens associated with such harm.