Fully loaded 18-wheelers may weigh over 80,000 pounds, which is more than ten times the weight of the typical sedan car. It’s no wonder truck accidents are catastrophic, whether caused by a distracted truck driver, a faulty braking system, or poorly strapped cargo. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Agency (FMCSA) estimates that more than 100,000 truck accidents occur yearly, with 5,000 people killed.
If you are injured in a truck accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and losses, including medical expenditures, the effect your injuries have on your employment and life, and the agony and suffering you are experiencing. But first, understand that getting a reasonable sum of compensation may be difficult.
When it comes to truck accidents, there is usually a lot of money on the line, and insurance companies will do all they can to pay you as little as possible. It is critical to seek help from truck accident attorneys who can help you get full compensation for damages caused by catastrophic injuries.
We recognize that catastrophic injuries cause not only physical pain but also psychological and financial distress. These impacts might last your whole life. It is only fair that you get compensation for the injuries and agony caused by the negligence of another.
When you are Involved in a Truck Accident, What Kind of Catastrophic Injuries are you Likely to Suffer?
Amputation Injuries
Amputation injuries may occur at the accident scene or later at the hospital because the limb could not be saved owing to the severity of the injuries experienced.
Amputations are often performed due to serious traumas such as burns, severe lacerations, and broken bone injuries. They are referred to as traumatic amputations.
Burn Injuries
A truck accident may result in burn injuries, mainly if flammable goods are involved. This is often true for trucks transporting hazardous products like gasoline or petroleum.
The most severe types of burns are third and fourth-degree burns, which are very painful and need a longer healing period. They often leave disfiguring scars or leave the person with lasting problems. Burns of the fourth degree is often lethal. The treatment and cost of burn injuries might vary significantly. Skin grafts and reconstructive surgery may sometimes be required in severe cases.
Broken Bones
Bones are more likely to be fractured in a powerful collision, such as a truck accident. Such injuries occur when the body or portions are compressed for an extended period.
Complicated broken bone injuries may need surgery, rehabilitation, and other measures. Victims may need to relearn how to walk in some situations.
Brain Injuries
Head trauma in a truck accident may result in brain damage that can be fatal. Even if there is no direct impact on the head, brain injuries may develop due to whiplash, abrupt acceleration, or deceleration. These injuries may not be evident initially, and experiencing brain damage does not imply being rendered unconscious.
Confusion, nausea, eye impairments, and cognitive challenges are all possible symptoms. Brain injuries are among the most distressing in truck accidents since they often result in loss of cognitive and physical function. After a brain injury, some individuals are usually never the same.
Internal Injuries
Despite their gravity, complications such as internal bleeding and organ damage are not often obvious after a truck accident. Victims may not exhibit symptoms until they lose consciousness or fall into shock.
With this in mind, seeking medical assistance as quickly as possible after any automotive accident is critical. Emergency doctors will check your injuries and use imaging to determine the degree of the trauma.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur when any section of the spinal cord or nerves sustains damage. SCIs often result in persistent alterations in strength, sensation, and other bodily functions below the location of the damage, which may lead to partial or complete paralysis.
Since the damage isn’t often evident, anybody injured in a truck accident should seek medical assistance as quickly as possible. MRIs may identify injuries that an X-ray may miss.
Final Thoughts
Catastrophic injuries can cause severe financial losses. So, you must file a claim against the negligent party to recover these losses. It is best to consult a lawyer to help you file a claim.