What Are the Most Common Truck Accident Injuries?

Trucks are larger than the average passenger vehicle on the road, especially heavy commercial trucks. And when a truck gets into an accident, it can result in severe injuries or even death to pedestrians and other drivers.

There are many types of injuries an errant truck driver can cause, including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and crush injuries. Our Central Florida personal injury attorneys have represented countless truck accident victims, so we know what these injuries look like and how they change lives forever. 

What Kinds of Injuries Do Truck Accidents Cause?

Due to their size and weight, large trucks are generally more difficult to control and pose a higher risk to others on the road. Just one mistake is all it takes for a life-altering accident to occur. 

The most common types of truck accident injuries include:

• Brain injuries: Brain injuries can be anything from a concussion to a skull fracture to even penetration by an object. You could also have a hematoma or a contusion. Traumatic brain injuries are especially severe. Brain injuries can cause memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, vision problems, and more. 
• Spinal cord injuries: A spinal cord injury could partially or fully paralyze you, rendering you in need of long-term care that you may be unable to afford. Even if you do remain in your home, you will likely need to make changes to adapt.
• Neck injuries: You could suffer whiplash or a broken neck due to your head violently snapping back and forth during a sudden impact. 
• Crush injuries: Broken bones, internal bleeding, and organ damage are just some of the potential crush injuries you could sustain in a truck accident.
• Burn injuries: Gasoline and other chemicals can catch fire after an accident, resulting in severe burns that could cause nerve damage and disfigurement.
• Amputation: Sadly, you could suffer damage so severe that it’s necessary to amputate a limb. These injuries—depending on what kind of work you do and which body part you lose—can seriously impact your physical abilities. An amputation is also considered a disability and disfigurement.
• Abdominal injuries: Your chest and abdomen can also suffer injuries in an accident. Broken ribs, lung punctures, and pressure on the heart could occur during impact, most likely from the steering column. 
• Facial injuries: Glass, fire, and debris can all cause injuries to your face that may require reconstructive surgery and leave scars behind.

Can You Recover Damages After a Truck Accident?

Your injuries will likely require medical treatment, which can be expensive depending on the severity of your injuries and the kind of treatment you need (such as surgery, hospitalization, and/or medication). It’s also possible you could be permanently or temporarily unable to work, depriving you of income you can’t afford to lose.

A truck accident lawyer from our firm in Central Florida may be able to help you recover compensation for damages like these:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Physical therapy
• Home modifications
• Household services
• Child care
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Lost quality of life
• Wrongful death

How Else Can a Central Florida Truck Accident Injury Lawyer Help?

A personal injury lawyer can protect your rights and build a case for compensation for you, so you can focus your time and energy elsewhere. 

Truck accident cases are often complex and take time to resolve. Our approach to building a personal injury case begins with an investigation to gather the facts of your case and determine the liable parties. To prove negligence, we must collect evidence that demonstrates your financial losses.

A truck accident attorney from our firm can calculate the value of your claim, file the claim on your behalf, and negotiate a settlement with the liable party’s insurance company to cover your losses. If necessary, we can also file a lawsuit and fight for your best interests in court. 

Beyond these basics, we also go the extra mile by:

• Communicating with you
• Providing regular updates
• Meeting all deadlines
• Guiding you through the legal process
• Treating you with compassion and respect
• Answering your questions

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

Taking the following steps after a truck accident can help build your case:

• Find a safe place: Depending on the extent of your injuries, if you have the ability to extract yourself from your vehicle, move to a safe place away from traffic.
• Call 911: You or someone else should call 911 so emergency responders can provide assistance. The police will write a report that can be used as evidence in your case, while EMTs can provide medical attention and transport you to the hospital.
• Seek medical care: Even if you don’t think you have an injury, we strongly urge you to seek medical attention. Many symptoms of severe injuries, such as head and spinal cord injuries, can take time to present. Seeing a doctor provides documentation of your injuries and the necessary treatment, which can also be used to bolster your case.
• Gather available evidence: You can collect evidence to start building your case by taking photographs of the accident scene and collecting contact information from witnesses.
• Consult a lawyer: A truck accident lawyer can explain your legal options and help you choose the best path forward. Our firm offers free consultations so you can ask questions while we evaluate your case. Consulting an attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident gives us time to build your case and meet the statute of limitations.

Learn More About Truck Accident Injuries Today

Dismuke Law primarily handles personal injury cases, including those involving truck accidents. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are ready to talk to you about your truck accident case. We empathize with your situation and will work hard to recover the compensation you deserve. 

If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident or wants to learn more about truck accident injuries, Dismuke Law is here to help. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney in Central Florida today.