What Are the 3 Most Common Injuries from Truck Accidents?

Trucks offer a simple, cost-effective means of transporting goods from one part of the country to the next, quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, due to their size and weight, a crash with a commercial motor vehicle is likely to end with injuries or fatalities.

Accidents involving large trucks injured an estimated 95,000 people in 2013, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More alarming, at least 3,964 people lost their lives in CMV wrecks.

Big rigs are large, heavy vehicles that are difficult for even the most experienced drivers to maneuver. Combine this with strict deadlines, unfamiliar territories and adverse weather, and it’s no wonder why CMV accidents are so common.

Were you involved in a crash with a commercial truck? You may be entitled to damages from the driver, the truck owner, the truck manufacturer or another party.

A Tyler personal-injury attorney from the Cooper Law Firm will help you claim compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. Accident lawyer N. Eric Cooper will compassionately and tenaciously represent your interests.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit USAttorneys.com to learn more about truck accident injury claims.

Let’s take a look at three common injuries sustained in truck crashes:

1. Neck Injuries

Due to the sheer scale of a big rig, a high-speed crash with a CMV will generate a lot of force. The impact can cause the driver’s neck to jerk forward and backward – and this sudden, unnatural movement can lead to severe strain.

According to the Mayo Clinic, victims of whiplash can suffer from a lot more than simple stiffness. Long-lasting symptoms include migraines, numbness in the hands and arms, blurred vision, tinnitus, fatigue and even depression.

2. Head Injuries

In a collision, drivers and passengers are at risk of striking their heads against items inside the vehicle, as well as the dashboard, side window or steering wheel. This impact can cause a traumatic brain injury.

The most common TBI is the concussion. Symptoms include headaches, general confusion, sleep problems and nausea.

3. Chest Injuries

Although your seatbelt is the most effective safety device in your vehicle, it can cause chest injuries. Truck drivers are at a particularly high risk of chest injuries due to their position behind the steering wheel. These injuries can take the form of cuts, bruises, rib fractures or even organ punctures.

Injuries after a truck accident might not be obvious right away, so it is important that you see a doctor as soon as you can after the crash. A fast diagnosis could reduce your recovery time and improve the outcome of your treatment.

You should also contact an experienced accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. A personal-injury attorney will help you avoid mistakes during the claims process such as overlooking certain damages or accepting a low settlement.

If you were injured in a crash with a negligent truck driver in Texas, turn to a Tyler personal-injury attorney from the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is an accident lawyer who helps clients throughout east Texas. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.