Posted on 11/05/23
Larger commercial trucks often cause major injuries when collisions with traditional passenger vehicles occur. Unfortunately, these injuries can leave victims with long-lasting disabilities and major life disruptions. Here, we want to review some of the most common injuries associated with commercial truck accidents in the Buffalo area.
Spinal Cord Damage
Spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent changes in strength, feeling, and other bodily functions below the site of the injury, and they can even lead to permanent paralysis. Due to the sheer size and weight of larger commercial trucks, spinal cord injuries are much more likely to occur in incidents involving these vehicles than they are in car accidents between two passenger vehicles.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
It is not uncommon for commercial truck accidents to lead to moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries. Those who survive an initial impact that causes a brain injury could have long-term or lifelong health complications. Information available from the CDC indicates that motor vehicle accidents are a common way that individuals sustain moderate to severe TBIs.
Internal Trauma
individuals involved in commercial truck accidents could sustain significant internal trauma or internal bleeding as a result of the incident. This is particularly true for collisions that result in major blunt force trauma for passengers inside the smaller vehicle. Internal trauma can be caused by an individual striking fixed objects in the vehicle or as a result of the force of the impact itself.
Soft Tissue Damage
Johns Hopkins Medicine defines soft tissue injuries as damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The types of injuries associated with the soft tissues include contusions, sprains, strains, stress injuries, tears, and more. Soft tissue injuries can lead to significant pain and swelling, as well as a loss of quality of life during the recovery process.
Broken or Dislocated Bones
The force of a commercial vehicle impacting a smaller vehicle could lead to drivers and passengers sustaining broken or dislocated bones. Some of the most commonly broken bones in vehicle accidents include bones in the hand, wrists, and arms, as well as bones in the legs. However, forceful impacts can also lead to broken ribs, collarbones, and even skull fractures.
Emotional and Psychological Injuries
One major element of commercial truck accidents that individuals do not discuss enough is the emotional and psychological impact on the victims. These incidents are often very traumatic when they occur, and the aftermath can be just as devastating, particularly when individuals sustain severe injuries. It is not uncommon for commercial truck accident victims to experience symptoms of stress, anxiety, fear, and even symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for quite some time after the incident occurs.
Call an Attorney for Help Today
If you or somebody you care about has sustained an injury in an accident involving a commercial truck in the Buffalo area, please reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled truck accident lawyer can assist with every aspect of the claim on your behalf. Individuals who sustain injuries like the ones described here often incur massive medical bills as well as lost wages if they are unable to work while they recover. A truck accident lawyer can investigate the claim, help determine liability, and work to recover the compensation you are entitled to.