Common Truck Accident Injuries

Commercial trucks are everywhere these days, especially on North Texas highways. As more and more people make the move to Texas (more than 1,000 per day) we only expect accidents involving large trucks to increase. According to the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 4,000 people died in large truck accidents last year. The majority of these fatalities were drivers and passengers of cars and 17 percent were truck occupants. Over the last decade, the number of fatalities that occur because of large truck accidents has increased by 27 percent. There are numerous reasons for this, from driver distraction to the high volume of people on the roads.

Today, there are more than two million big rigs in the United States. Across the country, an estimated 500,000 18-wheeler accidents take place every single year. Of these accidents, more than 130,000 people sustain serious injuries. As mentioned, injury rates are particularly high in Texas because of the high number of truckers on I-35 and the surrounding highways. In fact, Texas has one of the highest number of injuries and fatalities resulting from trucking accidents. Due to the sheer size and volume of large trucks, it is no wonder people are injured and fatalities are on the rise.

One of the best ways to avoid common truck accident injuries is by understanding what they are. Let’s now take a look at some of the injuries we see the most following accidents with large trucks:

• Head and Brain Injuries – Unfortunately, many people suffer head and brain injuries following large truck accidents. While some of these injuries are mild concussions, others are long-lasting and result in a wide range of negative side effects, such as changes in personality and the inability to perform everyday tasks.
• Broken Bones – Another common injury from large truck accidents is broken bones. Because these accidents often involve serious blunt force trauma, they can shatter bones and leave those involved with multiple serious injuries.
• Amputated Limbs – Following truck accidents, people are often faced with arms, legs, hands, or feet that must be amputated after being crushed or burned.
• Burns – Serious burns are also a common large truck accident injury, especially when passenger vehicles are involved. This is because trucks are so much bigger and cause more damage on impact, increasing the risk of fuel tanks exploding and causing fires.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – Again, because of the impact, truck accident victims are often left with spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries could affect the bones, muscles, or nerves, resulting in partial, temporary, or complete paralysis.
• Neck and Back Injuries – Due to the sheer force that comes with large truck accidents, neck and back injuries are quite common. These can range from minor whiplash to debilitating pain and paralysis.
• Internal Injuries – The impact of a large truck accident often results in internal injuries because of how the body interacts with the car’s safety equipment. Many people suffer seat belt injuries or blunt abdominal trauma.

If you’ve been involved in an accident with a large truck in Texas, please contact the Dallas truck accident lawyers at Rad Law Firm today. We would be happy to discuss your case with you and advise you on how to proceed from here.