Auto accidents can result in significant damage to the parties involved in the collision. They can cause adverse effects on the physical, mental, and financial condition of an individual. These effects are exponentially increased when the collision involves a commercial trailer or large 18-wheeler truck as the disparity of the size between vehicles driven by common people and a big rig truck can be quite substantial.

IIHS stats reveal that in 2016 alone, 3,986 people lost their lives in large truck crashes in the United States. Those who survive the accident may face several injuries ranging from minor scratches to wounds that may lead to severe health complications. Here are the three most common types of truck injuries that a victim usually suffers in truck accidents.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are one of the most reported injuries in a severe truck accident. It may cause in different areas of the body such as spine, hands, arms, ankles, feet, or legs. A minor fracture, also known as a hairline fracture, may not require a surgery as it heals on its own with the passage of time. However, a compound fracture where fracture pierces the skin may require an operation and extensive medical care along with physiotherapy. The wound might take weeks, months, and even years to heal completely, depending on the condition of the patient.

Head and Rotator Cuff Injuries

Head injury is one of the most severe and dangerous injuries that can be caused by a truck accident. From simple concussions, it can lead to traumatic brain damage which may prove to be mortal in many cases or limit the person’s capabilities, mentally or physically or even both. Some of the common head injuries include skull fractures, internal bleeding, and nerve damage. Thus, it is imperative to seek immediate medical treatment in such cases.

Rotator cuff injuries may not be as dangerous as head injuries, but they can be excruciatingly painful, especially if there is a fractured clavicle, torn rotator cuff, or dislocated shoulder. Due to the high intensity, the pain may also radiate to the arm of the victim. These injuries are usually treated with steroid injections but may require surgery in some cases.

Back and Neck Injuries

There are a total of 33 vertebrae in the human spine. The segment of the neck area is referred to as the cervical spine. Other segments include coccygeal, lumbar, sacral, and thoracic regions. A truck accident may have a hard impact on the spine of the victim, which may lead to stiffness, tightness, soreness, and may also lead to herniated discs depending upon the severity of the impact. While strains may be treated by medication and rest; herniated disc or fracture will require injections and surgery.

How Can A Lawyer Help?

If you or your loved one has become a victim of a truck accident, you should initiate a legal action against the negligent party by hiring services of an experienced auto accident lawyer. Your attorney will help you to file a claim and gather all the evidence related to your case and prepare witnesses, if any, to testify in the court.

Using facts and evidence, supplemented by their extensive knowledge pertaining to law and regulations applicable to your case, a competent auto accident lawyer will be able to establish the negligence of the defendant, which will allow you to seek rightful compensation for your pain and sufferings.

An astute auto accident lawyer will help you obtain damages which will cover your medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, along with the compensation for mental trauma you had to endure due to the accident. In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages, depending upon the judge’s discretion and competency of your attorney.

If you wish to seek further information about this subject or schedule a consultation session, contact the team at Wright & James, P.C. at 404-624-7447 to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer.