Truck Accident Injuries
Auto accidents involving trucks often result in much more devastating injuries than other accidents. The size and weight of trucks and other large commercial vehicles makes the impact more severe, endangering passengers in smaller vehicles. There are many types of injuries that can occur in a truck accident, some of which may cause temporary or permanent disability, or even fatality.
What are musculoskeletal injuries?
Sprains, strains, or muscle tears are common in truck accidents. Accident victims may suffer from torn ligaments or tissue damage that can be very painful and take a long time to heal. Damage to the neck or back can limit range of motion and make everyday tasks exceedingly difficult. Truck accidents can also result in fractured bones. The blunt force trauma of a collision with a truck can leave bones shattered, which may require extensive surgery to repair. Those who suffer from a broken arm or leg during a truck accident must often undergo rehabilitation and may never fully regain use of that limb. Broken ribs are also a serious hazard as these bones guard vital organs, and if they are not properly identified and repaired, they can cause severe internal damage.
How do cuts and lacerations happen in a trucking accident?
When a trucking accident occurs, broken glass, metal, and unrestrained objects inside a vehicle can wound passengers. These injuries can range from relatively mild to very severe, particularly if the eyes or face are involved. Cuts and lacerations may need to be surgically repaired and can cause permanent disfigurement. Wounds can also become infected, resulting in serious illness.
How do burns occur in a trucking accident?
Those involved in a truck accident are at a greater risk of severe burns, as the impact of a truck can cause fuel tanks to rupture and explode. This danger increases exponentially if the truck is carrying flammable or combustible materials. Burns can be extremely painful, and often leave victims with permanent scarring.
When is amputation necessary?
In some cases, an injury to an arm, leg, hand, or foot may be severe enough that it cannot be saved. Limbs can be severed due to the impact of the crash, or they can be crushed or burned so severely that the tissue is beyond repair and must be removed. These amputation injuries cause permanent disability and can have a profound effect on the victim’s quality of life.
What type of dangerous head and spinal cord injuries occur?
Truck accidents can cause severe trauma to the head and spinal cord, which can result in lasting damage. A mild concussion may take a few days to heal, but a traumatic brain injury can leave the victim with decreased cognitive function, loss of memory, changes in personality, or inhibited motor or language skills. Many never recover from these injuries and suffer from permanent impairment.
Trauma to the bone, muscle, or nerves of the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis, which may be permanent. These injuries may not always be immediately apparent after an accident as an MRI is needed to diagnose a spinal injury and complex surgery is often required to repair it. Spinal cord injuries may require painful rehabilitation, which is no guarantee that full mobility will be restored.
What other internal injuries might occur in a trucking accident?
It is not just the brain that is vulnerable to serious injury during a trucking accident. Other internal organs, including the kidneys, liver, pancreas, stomach, spleen, and bladder, may be bruised, punctured, or ruptured due to the force of a truck collision. The damage to abdominal organs may not be obvious, and the effects of this damage can be fatal if not repaired in a timely manner. Blood vessels, such as the abdominal aorta, may also suffer damage, which can result in internal bleeding that is often fatal.
New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP Fight for Your Rights
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a truck, having an experienced lawyer on your side can help you obtain justice. Our New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP have successfully represented clients in all types of truck accidents. Our legal team will review the facts of your case and prepare an aggressive legal strategy to obtain you the maximum compensation for your suffering. With offices conveniently located in Edison, Red Bank, and Toms River, we help truck accident victims throughout New Jersey. Call us today at 732-777-0100 or contact us online for a free consultation.
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