Common Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Truck Crashes

Category: Truck Accidents

Article by Tuley Law staff

Collisions between semi-trucks and smaller vehicles are among the most devastating types of traffic accidents, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. Our Indiana truck accident attorneys have seen a wide variety of damage in these crashes, but we tend to see certain physical and mental ailments again and again.

Let’s explore just a few of the most common serious injuries victims suffer in truck collisions.

What Are the Most Common Truck Accident Injuries?

Unfortunately, some forms of trauma are more likely to happen in truck accidents due to the sheer size, weight, and force of these massive vehicles. Here are some common truck accident injury types and how they typically occur.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries can happen when the brain suffers a sudden impact or jolt, such as hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield during a crash. In truck accidents, the sheer force of the impact can cause the brain to shift violently within the skull. TBIs and whiplash from truck collisions are common in head-on and side-impact crashes, especially if the vehicle occupants are not wearing seat belts.

Spinal Cord Injuries (Paralysis)

A spinal cord injury is the result of compression, fracture, or displacement of the spine. The impact from a semi-truck collision can cause severe trauma to the vertebrae, leading to paralysis or other long-term disabilities. Spinal cord injury from accidents often happens in high-speed crashes, rollovers, or accidents where the vehicle occupants are ejected from the car.

Fractured Bones (Broken Limbs)

The force of a truck collision can easily cause broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, and ribs. The collision may result in direct impact, where a body part is caught against the vehicle’s interior, or from the force of being thrown forward. T-bone accidents, head-on crashes, side impacts, and situations where a vehicle is crushed or pinned are known to cause broken bones in truck accidents.

Internal Injuries (Organ Damage or Internal Bleeding)

The massive force of a semi-truck collision can cause damage to internal organs, including the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs. Internal injuries in truck accidents might not be immediately visible, and bleeding can be life-threatening in crashes where the occupant’s body is violently compressed.

Chest Injuries (Rib Fractures, Pulmonary Contusions)

Chest injuries, including broken ribs, punctured lungs, or contusions, are common in truck accidents. The driver’s chest may hit the vehicle’s steering wheel, dashboard, airbag, or other hard surfaces with great force, particularly in head-on or rear-end crashes.

Amputations

In severe collisions, parts of the body can become trapped, crushed, or torn off by the force of the impact or by debris in the vehicle. In some cases, the limb may require immediate medical intervention to prevent further damage. Amputations may occur after multi-car collisions, rollovers, or when a body part is pinned or caught between the truck and the vehicle.

Facial Injuries (Lacerations, Fractures, Eye Damage)

Facial injuries, including cuts, broken bones, dental injuries, and eye damage, can occur when the face hits the steering wheel, dashboard, window, or airbag. Facial lacerations are common in crashes with flying glass and debris, while victims may suffer broken noses and teeth when airbags fail to deploy properly.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries like strains or sprains commonly occur in truck collisions and can cause long-term pain and reduced mobility. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments and can occur due to sudden jolts, twisting motions, or being thrown against the vehicle’s interior.

Burns

Burns can result from fires caused by the collision and from hot surfaces like the engine, exhaust system, or radiator. Victims can suffer severe thermal burns if a gas leak or damage to the truck’s fuel system causes ignition or explosion.

Psychological Injuries

While psychological injuries are not always immediately visible, the emotional and mental toll of a traumatic truck accident can cause conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. These can result from the shock of the crash, witnessing severe injuries or deaths, or the long-term recovery process. They can occur during any traumatic truck accident, especially for those who witness severe injuries or fatalities.

Fatal Truck Crashes and Wrongful Death

Unfortunately, semi-truck collisions are often fatal, particularly when smaller passenger vehicles are involved. The damage a two-ton semi can cause is far more severe than an impact from another car, often leading to severe injury or death for drivers and passengers. Fatalities may be instant, or they may occur after prolonged suffering due to trauma to vital organs, brain injuries, or blood loss.

In some cases, families of victims may have legal grounds for wrongful death claims if the truck driver or trucking company acted negligently. Negligence could involve factors like driver fatigue, improper truck maintenance, or violations of safety regulations. If successful, a wrongful death lawsuit provides financial compensation for your family’s funeral expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

An experienced lawyer can prove negligence and secure your truck accident injury recovery. Contact Tuley Law Office today using our online contact form to begin your free initial consultation.

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