What Are the Most Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accidents can result in a wide range of injuries due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks compared to smaller vehicles. The aftermath of a truck accident can be devastating, leaving victims with severe physical and emotional trauma. In North Dakota, tractor trailers are a common sight, and in the event of an accident involving one, victims are left with catastrophic injuries and equally serious hospital bills. If you’ve sustained injuries in a wreck, seeking the assistance of an experienced Fargo truck accident attorney can help ensure that you receive full compensation for injuries caused by another party’s negligence.
How common are truck accidents in North Dakota?
In North Dakota in 2022, there was a crash with a heavy truck about every 12 hours, and a fatality about every three weeks. According to the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s (NDDOT’s) latest annual report, 2022 had the fewest truck crashes in the last five years, but the second-greatest number of injuries and fatalities in that same time period.
About 75% of the total truck accidents in North Dakota that year occurred in rural areas.
Common collision-related injuries in truckers and drivers in passenger vehicles
Due to the size and weight of a tractor-trailer, when you are in an accident with one of these large vehicles, the damage they often do is substantial, and the injuries they leave you with are often catastrophic. But it’s not only other drivers or passengers who are at risk; truck drivers themselves can be seriously injured in a crash.
Common injuries caused by truck accidents include:
- Fatal injuries. Some truck accidents result in fatalities. The size and weight disparity between trucks and smaller vehicles mean collisions can be particularly lethal. The drivers themselves can be fatally injured if the truck rolls over, or if they’re thrown about the cab during impact. Families who lose loved ones in truck accidents face immeasurable grief and may pursue wrongful death claims.
- Fractures. Victims of truck accidents may sustain fractures throughout the body, including limbs, hips, pelvis, ribs, and sternum. The severity of these injuries can vary, with some fractures requiring extensive medical intervention, including surgery and rehabilitation.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs are the most common type of injury suffered in traffic accidents, including truck crashes. TBIs encompass a broad spectrum of injuries, from concussions to more severe cases involving prolonged unconsciousness or memory loss. Truck accident victims with TBIs may experience cognitive impairments, emotional challenges, and a long road to recovery. If you are in a truck crash and you are not sure whether you suffered a head injury, seek prompt medical attention. Head injuries may not always present with immediate symptoms, and should be checked sooner rather than later.
- Crush injuries. Crush injuries might result from the force of the crash or from being trapped in the wreckage, and often cause severe damage to muscles, bones, and internal organs. Crush injuries require immediate medical intervention.
- Internal injuries. The impact in a truck accident can cause internal injuries to the lungs, spleen, and liver. The blunt force trauma can lead to internal bleeding, posing a serious and potentially life-threatening risk that requires immediate medical attention.
- Burn injuries. In accidents involving trucks, there is a higher risk of fire or explosion due to the vehicles’ cargo, which may include flammable substances. Burn injuries resulting from direct contact with flames or exposure to hot surfaces can cause severe pain and disfigurement, and require extensive medical treatments, surgeries, and therapy.
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Truck accidents often occur at high speeds and at incredible forces, leading to SCIs ranging from herniated discs to more severe conditions like fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae. SCIs can have life-altering consequences, affecting mobility and sensation below the injury site and sometimes result in paralysis.
- In a truck accident, limbs can be severely damaged or crushed to the point where surgical amputation becomes necessary. Amputations lead to physical challenges and have profound emotional and lifestyle implications for the victim and their loved ones.
- Emotional and psychological trauma. Beyond the physical injuries, truck accidents can leave victims with lasting emotional and psychological trauma. The psychological impact of a traumatic event can manifest in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a general fear of driving or being near trucks.
In the aftermath of a truck accident, victims often require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and support to cope with the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that arise. From initial hospital bills to the costs of rehabilitative therapy to the price of mobility aids, being injured in a truck accident is extremely costly. Let an experienced Fargo truck accident attorney handle your truck accident lawsuit so that you can focus on healing.
At Larson Law Firm, P.C., we understand the gravity of truck accidents and the severe injuries they cause, often resulting in excessive hospital bills. The aftermath of such accidents can be overwhelming, both physically and financially. Our dedicated legal team recognizes the stress you’re under, and we are committed to helping you secure the compensation you deserve from the liable parties, whether that be the truck driver, cargo loader, trucking company, or all of the above. If you have been injured in a truck accident, our skilled Fargo truck accident attorneys are here for you. To schedule a free consultation, give us a call in Fargo, or complete our contact page. We handle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid until you do. We also have offices in Bismarck and Minot.
Mark Larson is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist and Certified Civil Pre-Trial Specialist focusing on personal injury, car accidents, wrongful death, and oil field claims. Since 1979, Larson Law Firm has served the injured throughout North Dakota. Read more about Mark V. Larson.