Injuries Commonly Caused by Truck Accidents

When a passenger vehicle collides with a large commercial truck, the resulting injuries can be devastating.

Because of the size of large commercial trucks, accidents involving these vehicle can result in a wide range of injuries. This guide will list some of the most common injuries our experienced Knoxville truck accident attorneys have encountered.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a collision involving a commercial truck, contact us to schedule a free, no obligation consultation for qualified legal help.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when your brain has undergone damage caused by a bump, impact, blow or penetration to the skull that disrupts its normal ability to function.

The strong force behind a truck collision may cause your head to strike or collide with objects inside your vehicle, which can cause severe damage, such as:

Depending on the severity of the injury, a TBI can result in permanent brain damage that impairs your ability to think, speak and communicate with others. A severe TBI may cause you to undergo significant cognitive changes that alter your behavior and personality.

Neck Injuries

The neck is a fragile part of the body consisting of muscles, ligaments and joints that can be severely damaged when subjected to a traumatic and stressful event like a truck collision.

A neck injury is often the result of abnormal stress being inflicted upon the region of the body, such as when your head is violently thrust forward during a traffic collision. These injuries can be complicated and difficult to identify, as the pain and symptoms of a neck injury may not be immediately apparent upon suffering the injury.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common type of neck injury that victims of traffic collisions often report. This type of injury is usually caused by a rear-end collision that causes your head to be thrust forward and then suddenly backward or to the side in a whip-like motion.

The symptoms of whiplash can range from mild to severe. Truck accident victims who have suffered from whiplash often experience:

Wrist Injuries

During a truck accident, your wrists may be at risk of colliding with parts of the vehicle or loose objects found inside the vehicle. This can be very dangerous for your wrists, which are very fragile and highly vulnerable to injuries such as:

Wrist injuries caused by a traffic collision can be very painful and debilitating, and may cause you to suffer financial losses such as expensive medical bills that are made worse if your injury prevents you from working.

Back Injuries

A truck accident can also damage the soft tissues, bones and muscles located in your back, which can result in severe pain and impairment. A back injury can be long-lasting or permanent and may limit your capabilities of performing simple tasks or the required duties of your job.

Back injuries that are caused by a collision with a large commercial truck tend to be more severe than those that occur during a collision with another passenger vehicle and can include:

Herniated Discs

The vertebrae that form your spinal cord are cushioned by discs that protect them from extreme damage. These discs can become damaged when subjected to a violently forceful event like a truck accident.

A herniated disc can occur when the impact of a truck collision forces the soft, rubbery material between the spinal discs outward and causes:

The symptoms of a herniated disc are not always apparent and the severity of pain or irritation may vary depending on the extent to which you are injured.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury is a serious medical condition that occurs when the spine has undergone extreme blunt force and can result long-term or permanent disability.

The symptoms of a spinal cord injury often depend on the location in which the damage was inflicted, and can include:

The most common types of spinal cord injuries include:

• Tetraplegia: This is typically the most severe spinal cord injury and may cause you to lose the ability to control the parts of your body below the site of the injury. The severity of the paralysis you suffer will be intensified the higher the injury is located on your spine.
• Paraplegia: This type of spinal cord injury causes you to lose the ability to control the lower half of your body and occurs when damage is inflicted upon the thoracic spinal cord.
• Triplegia: This condition will cause loss of sensation and movement in one arm and both legs.

Fractures

The force of a truck accident can cause your bones to break, referred to as a fracture, in nearly every area of your body, including:

Depending on the severity of your truck collision, a fractured bone can range from a temporary inconvenience to a long-term or permanent disability. You may be prevented from working or performing simple daily tasks, and may require extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

Internal Injuries

The force of a truck accident can also cause extensive damage to you internal organs, which can be dangerous if you are not medically treated immediately after the collision.

Internal injuries often have no visible symptoms and are instead identified by pain, bruising or swelling that can occur in the:

Burns

Commercial trucks carry far larger fuel tanks than passenger vehicles, which can rupture during a traffic collision and pose a high risk of starting a fire. Accident victims may sustain burns to any part of the body and will result in horrific conditions, such as:

Contact Our Knoxville Attorneys Now

Because of the complex structuring of the trucking industry and driver liability, it is in your best interest to contact our experienced Knoxville personal injury attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation.

We understand the complicated nature of truck accident claims and will fight to ensure your claim is properly handled and accurately reflects the suffering you have endured.

Our attorneys work only on a contingency fee basis, which means all of our legal services are provided to you at no upfront charge, and we only collect payment if we recover compensation for your claim.

Call (865) 247-0080 or complete our Free Case Evaluation form now.