When a truck and a car are involved in an accident, the results are often devastating. Due to the immense size and weight difference between large commercial trucks and small passenger cars, truck accidents can cause more severe injuries and fatalities than typical car crashes.
Research has shown that the extent of injury or death is far greater in these types of collisions due to the sheer force generated by the collision between a heavy truck and a smaller vehicle.
As such, even with all safety precautions considered, truck accidents can still cause tremendous damage and loss of life. In this article, we will go over the most common truck accident injuries in North Carolina.
Broken Bones
When a truck is involved in an accident, its sheer size and weight can cause catastrophic damage to both itself and any other vehicles it collides with. Depending on the severity of the crash, broken bones are often one of the most common injuries that result from such an incident.
Broken bones may vary in severity, ranging from minor fractures that require only a cast or splint to serious breaks that require surgery followed by physical therapy and rehabilitation. The extent of bone damage will depend on the speed and force behind the impact and where on the body it has been sustained.
In more severe cases, victims can even experience fractures of multiple bones due to the extreme amount of pressure generated by a truck collision.
Regardless of how severe the fracture may be, it is important to receive medical attention right away to allow for proper healing and recovery and to get in touch with a truck accident lawyer at Whitley Law as soon as possible to begin a claim.
Internal Injuries
These types of injuries often involve severe internal bleeding, which can cause considerable damage to the affected organs. Commonly affected organs include the spleen, bladder, liver, pancreas, and kidneys. These potential consequences emphasize why seeking medical help immediately after sustaining blunt abdominal trauma from a truck accident is important.
Neck and Back Injuries
Neck and back injuries sustained in a truck accident can be incredibly painful and debilitating. Many of these types of injuries are caused by the sheer force of the impact that occurs when a large truck collides with another vehicle or person.
Some of these injuries include:
- Strains
- Sprains
- Dislocations
- Fractures
- Torn or ruptured discs
These types of injuries may cause intense pain and require extensive physical therapy to heal properly. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to reduce the pain and severity of the injury. Long-term effects may include restricted mobility or permanent disability for some victims.
Burn Injuries
Burn injuries resulting from automobile fires caused by collisions with commercial trucks can be particularly severe, as these types of accidents often result in the rupture of a vehicle’s fuel tank and an ensuing burst of flames. The severity of these fires is compounded by modern cars being built with highly flammable materials, such as plastic and foam insulation.
Moreover, burn victims may require ongoing rehabilitation and therapy to help manage their injuries’ physical and psychological effects.
Head Injuries
Head injuries, like concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI), can have extreme consequences. A concussion is a type of mild TBI often caused by a blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the brain’s normal functioning.
Symptoms can range from confusion and dizziness to partial or complete loss of consciousness. More serious cases of TBI can cause bruising, bleeding, and swelling in the brain, leading to long-term effects including impaired movement and speech, seizures, personality changes, memory loss, chronic headaches, and even death.
It is important for anyone who has experienced a significant head injury to seek medical attention right away so that their condition can be accurately assessed and treated.
Seat Belt Injuries
Seat belts are a commonly used safety feature in cars, but they can actually cause serious injuries to vehicle occupants. For example, if an automobile is involved in an accident, even though the seat belt may prevent the occupant from being thrown out of the car, it can still cause injuries such as back pain, neck strain, and whiplash.
Other common seat belt injuries include abrasions or bruising caused by the belt itself due to too much force being applied during an accident. In addition to physical trauma, psychological effects such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder can also occur due to these events.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are a serious concern after an accident. They can have far-reaching consequences even if the signs and symptoms aren’t immediately obvious. It is especially important with spinal cord injuries that medical professionals carefully assess the situation and consider any potential signs or indications of damage that may be present.
Paralysis can be one of the most devastating effects of a spinal cord injury, manifesting as either partial paralysis or complete paralysis, depending on the severity and extent of the injury.
Better To Be Safe Than Sorry
Accident victims must take the appropriate steps following a collision with a commercial truck. In addition to seeking medical attention, injured parties should contact an experienced truck accident lawyer to ensure that their rights are being represented and protected and the at-fault party or parties pay their dues.
With the help of a qualified attorney, victims can gain access to resources that may help them seek compensation for damages sustained in the incident. This could include coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with common injuries in North Carolina truck accidents.
