Truck accidents are common on Texas roads, with the state harboring major gas and oil industries. This explains why the state accounted for 11% of truck accidents in the US in 2020. Automatically, the accidents mainly affect occupants of smaller vehicles, with victims sustaining severe injuries.
Victims are continuously in search of truck accident lawsuit attorneys in Houston, Texas, especially in the case of life-changing injuries. With loaded trucks weighing 80,000 pounds, related accidents can inflict various bodily fractures and impairments. Read through to find out more about common injuries suffered by victims as a result of truck accidents.
6 Injuries Commonly Sustained by Houston Truck Accident Victims
Spine Injuries
No one ever wishes to injure their spine. However, it is a typical scare in truck accidents and can range from mild to severe, depending on the collision force. Moreover, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center categorizes vehicle accidents as the leading cause of spinal injuries.
Spinal cord injuries lead to long-term consequences, with most victims becoming wholly or partially paralyzed. Therefore, such individuals require costly, everlasting care and rehabilitation. You must consult qualified lawsuit attorneys in Houston for similar accidents and injuries. They ensure you’re fully compensated for your medical procedures and daily expenses.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
The massive size and weight of trucks amplify the impact of collisions, leading to passengers’ back-and-forth movement. This sudden motion is deadly, making the neck swing awkwardly, just like cracking a whip.
Affected organs include tendons, muscles, nerves, and discs, whose damage severity depends on the impact level. Victims usually require immediate medical attention, with most needing lengthy rehabilitation for a full recovery. You should be careful when performing physical activities if you’ve ever sustained whiplash from an accident.
Head Injury
You’ve probably heard of accident victims complaining of constant headaches long after the ordeal. Head injuries take time to heal and can usually affect the brain. The latter happens when the brain bangs the skull during a truck accident. However, they are challenging to diagnose when there are no signs of head bumps or damage.
Depending on the impact level, there are different ways your head and brain can be affected. Here are different types of brain and head injuries:
- Concussion
- Cracking of the skull
- Contusion (bruises)
- Headaches and seizures
- Diffuse Axonal (brain tear due to rapid head rotation)
Fractured and Broken Bones
Fractured and broken bones usually occur when vehicle occupants brace for impact. You are at a high risk of getting bone fractures on your limbs, ribs, and pelvis when involved in a truck accident. The ribs and facial bones are typically the most fragile bone structures, with the highest risk of damage during a truck accident.
Worst-case scenarios can involve the victim’s bones penetrating the skin, a jarring ordeal for most in an accident scene and ER room. These injuries mainly require surgery, prolonged immobility periods, and intensive physical therapy to aid in recovery.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
The blunt force trauma from truck accidents causes damage to internal organs like the kidney, liver, intestines, or spleen. This leads to internal bleeding, which is sometimes hard to diagnose.
Internal organ damage is dangerous when left unchecked, usually causing inflammation. Without prompt medical checks, victims can experience organ failure and might need urgent surgery or organ transplants.
Physical Body Cuts
The car wreckage can cause mild to severe body cuts. Ironically, airbag deployment is a significant cause of scrapping and cuts.
Treatment for these injuries requires stitches. Depending on the wound, you might have a long-term scar on the affected part. Additionally, Houston lawyers can use these scars as evidence when filing your compensation case against the truck company.
Conclusion
The recovery journey can be challenging after involvement in a truck accident. Moreover, severe scenarios include life-changing damage like paralysis. Therefore, getting a professional Houston lawyer ensures victims get fair compensation and necessary medical treatment. Always drive safely to avoid such injuries or death in worst-case scenarios.