Truck Accident Injuries
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that across America, 4,119 people died in large truck crashes in one recent year alone. Sixteen percent were truck occupants, 67 percent were in cars and other passenger vehicles, and the remaining 15 percent were categorized as pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
When a truck accident occurs, the most serious injuries are typically sustained by passengers in other vehicles. Unfortunately, many of them are fatal. Drivers and passengers traveling in smaller vehicles are much more vulnerable to the forces involved in a truck accident than anyone who is in the cab of a truck. It’s common for these big rigs to weigh 20 to 30 times more than the passenger vehicles they share the road with. Trucks are also taller with higher ground clearance, allowing vehicles to underride trucks in an accident.
Due to their weight and size, trucks need more time and distance to stop. They can also cause much more severe damage and injuries when an accident occurs compared to passenger vehicles. An experienced St. Pete truck accident attorney can help truck accident victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve for their horrific injuries.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents often lead to severe and even catastrophic accidents. Sometimes these injuries are fatal. Victims of truck accidents can face a long and expensive recovery, requiring them to be off of work for quite some time or even permanently. By hiring a compassionate St. Pete truck accident lawyer, they can receive the maximum compensation available to cover their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Truck accident victims commonly suffer the following types of injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)—occur when there is extreme force placed on the brain. Sometimes they are deadly or will leave people with permanent disabilities.
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI)—while some may heal within a few weeks or months, others can be permanent and result in paralysis below the area of the injury.
- Broken bones—the pelvis, femur, ribs, spine, and even the skull are commonly fractured in truck accidents. Bones are meant to withstand increased force, but often the forces involved in a truck accident are too much, causing them to break.
- Internal injuries—internal organs can be damaged and bruised, impacting their function. In addition, there may be severe internal bleeding that can lead to death or other complications.
- Burns—sometimes truck accidents will cause a fire to ignite. If victims aren’t removed from the scene immediately, they can suffer severe or even fatal burns. These burns are excruciating, risk complications such as infection, and can leave lasting scars.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)—truck accidents cause more than just physical injuries. They can leave victims with lifelong emotional problems that require therapy and even medications.
Even if your injuries aren’t included in this list, be sure to seek medical help and the advice of a trustworthy St. Pete truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
Call an Experienced St. Pete Truck Accident Attorney Today for Help
An experienced St. Pete truck accident lawyer from Tragos, Sartes & Tragos can help you understand your legal rights after you or a loved one is injured in a truck accident. We provide free consultations to help you determine your next steps. Call us today at (727) 441-9030 or reach out online.