Truck accidents cause some of the most serious injuries on our roads. When a massive commercial truck crashes into a smaller car, the people in the car often face life-changing injuries. These crashes happen because trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – that’s 40 times heavier than a regular car.
In 2023, 5,375 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, an 8.4% decrease from 2022 but a 43% increase in the last 10 years. Even more concerning, 114,552 large trucks were involved in crashes resulting in an injury, a 4.7% decrease from 2022. This guide will help you understand the most common injuries from truck accidents and what you can do about them.
The Most Serious Truck Accident Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Brain injuries are among the worst outcomes from truck crashes. There were over 69,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2021. In truck accidents, your head can hit the dashboard, windshield, or side window with tremendous force.
Types of Brain Injuries
Concussions are the mildest form of brain injury. You might feel confused, dizzy, or have trouble remembering things. Most concussions heal within a few weeks with proper rest.
Severe brain injuries can change your life forever. These injuries can range from concussions to more severe forms of brain damage. TBIs often occur when a victim’s head strikes a hard surface, such as the dashboard or windshield, during a collision. You might lose the ability to speak, walk, or think clearly.
Warning Signs of Brain Injury
After a truck accident, watch for these symptoms:
- Headaches that won’t go away
- Feeling sick to your stomach
- Confusion or feeling “foggy”
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in mood or personality
Spinal Cord Injuries
Your spine protects the nerves that let your brain talk to the rest of your body. When a truck accident damages your spinal cord, it can cause paralysis.
Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Injuries
Complete spinal cord injuries mean you lose all feeling and movement below the injury. This often leads to paralysis.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries allow some signals to still get through. You might keep some feeling or movement, but it’s usually limited.
Living with Spinal Cord Injuries
According to research, less than 1% of victims will be completely neurologically recovered when discharged from the hospital. One year after the injury, only 12% of spinal cord injury victims are employable. These injuries often require a lifetime of medical care and support.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Bone breaks are extremely common in truck accidents. The average healing time is 6-8 weeks. After broken bones heal, you’ll probably have weakness and muscle loss in the affected area.
Most Common Broken Bones
Arms and Wrists: People often throw their arms up to protect themselves during a crash. This can lead to breaks in the forearm, wrist, or hand.
Legs: The impact can crush leg bones, especially the femur (thigh bone) and tibia/fibula (lower leg bones).
Ribs: Rib fractures in car accidents are typically a result of the seatbelt or the car crumpling during the collision. A rib fracture can be serious as the bone might pierce the lungs.
Pelvis: Pelvic fractures are particularly serious because they can damage internal organs.
Types of Fractures
Simple fractures are clean breaks that don’t pierce the skin. These usually heal well with proper treatment.
Compound fractures break through the skin, creating a high risk of infection and longer healing times.
Comminuted fractures happen when the bone shatters into multiple pieces. Many fractures sustained in truck accidents are called comminuted fractures, which means the bone is broken into more than two pieces or completely crushed.
Common Truck Accident Injuries by Body Part
Head and Neck Injuries
Whiplash
Whiplash happens when your head snaps forward and backward quickly. Most people who have a whiplash injury recover within a few weeks to a few months. Some people have persistent pain for several months or longer.
Signs of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Shoulder pain
- Trouble moving your head
Facial Injuries
The force of impact can cause:
- Broken nose
- Jaw fractures
- Cuts from broken glass
- Damage to teeth
Chest and Torso Injuries
Internal Injuries
The force of a truck accident can cause internal injuries that may not be immediately apparent. These injuries can include damage to organs, internal bleeding, and ruptured blood vessels.
Internal injuries can affect:
- Lungs (punctured or collapsed)
- Liver damage
- Kidney injuries
- Spleen rupture
- Heart damage
Broken Ribs
Ribs protect your vital organs, but they can break from the force of a seatbelt or steering wheel. Broken ribs are painful and can make it hard to breathe.
Burn Injuries
Truck accidents can cause fires, especially when:
- Fuel spills and ignites
- Electrical systems are damaged
- Cargo contains flammable materials
The American Burn Association states that roughly 450,000 patients receive hospital and emergency room treatment for burns each year. Truck accident burns can be particularly severe because:
- Thermal burns from fire or hot metal
- Chemical burns from hazardous cargo
- Electrical burns from damaged power systems
Cuts and Lacerations
Sharp metal, broken glass, and debris can cause deep cuts. Deep lacerations can lead to severe blood loss, infections, or permanent disfigurement.
Serious cuts may require:
- Emergency surgery
- Stitches or staples
- Skin grafts for deep wounds
- Plastic surgery for facial injuries
The Hidden Injuries You Might Not Notice
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is dangerous because you can’t see it happening. Signs include:
- Feeling weak or dizzy
- Stomach pain
- Bruising on your belly
- Feeling sick
Emotional Trauma
Beyond physical injuries, semi-truck accidents can also cause emotional trauma injuries, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression.
You might experience:
- Nightmares about the accident
- Fear of driving
- Panic attacks
- Depression
Why Truck Accident Injuries Are So Severe
Size and Weight Difference
Trucks are large and heavy vehicles. Even at low speeds, a moving truck carries enormous kinetic energy. That means smaller vehicles like passenger cars often take the brunt of the damage in collisions.
Common Causes of Serious Injuries
Driver Fatigue: Tired truck drivers react slower and make poor decisions.
Distracted Driving: Texting, eating, or adjusting controls takes attention away from the road.
Speeding: With the massive size of semis and other large trucks, speeding can make it impossible to turn and brake safely.
Equipment Failure: Brake problems, tire blowouts, or mechanical issues can cause devastating crashes.
Recovery and Treatment Options
Immediate Medical Care
Always seek medical help right away, even if you feel fine. The shock of the truck accident can cause your adrenaline to surge, making it difficult for you to feel the full extent of your pain.
Long-Term Treatment
Physical Therapy: Helps you regain strength and movement after injuries heal.
Occupational Therapy: Teaches you new ways to do daily tasks if you have permanent disabilities.
Mental Health Support: Counseling can help you deal with trauma and depression.
Pain Management: Doctors can help control chronic pain from serious injuries.
Financial Impact
Researchers determined that the cost of treating a spinal cord injury can be upwards of $1 million in the first year alone if a person suffers full tetraplegia.
Common costs include:
- Emergency room visits
- Surgery and hospital stays
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages from missed work
- Home modifications for disabilities
Understanding Your Legal Rights
When to Contact a Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may have the right to compensation. A Denver truck accident lawyer can help you understand your options.
What Compensation Might Cover
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Disability costs
- Property damage
Who Might Be Responsible
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Cargo loading companies
- Government agencies (for road defects)
Prevention and Safety Tips
For Drivers
Stay Out of Blind Spots: Trucks have large blind spots on all sides. If you can’t see the truck driver in their mirror, they can’t see you.
Give Extra Space: Trucks have a longer stopping distance compared to passenger cars.
Be Patient: Don’t cut in front of trucks or try to pass them unsafely.
For Trucking Companies
Proper Training: Drivers need thorough training on safety procedures.
Regular Maintenance: Trucks should be inspected and maintained regularly.
Hours of Service: Following rules about how long drivers can work prevents fatigue.
When to Seek Legal Help
Signs You Need a Lawyer
- Serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment
- Disputes about who caused the accident
- Insurance companies offering low settlements
- Permanent disabilities from your injuries
What to Look for in a Lawyer
Choose a Denver personal injury lawyer with experience in truck accident cases. Look for:
- Knowledge of trucking regulations
- Experience with serious injury cases
- Resources to handle complex cases
- Good communication skills
Documents to Gather
- Police report
- Medical records
- Photos of the accident scene
- Witness contact information
- Insurance information
Working with Medical Professionals
Specialists You Might Need
Orthopedic Surgeons: For broken bones and joint injuries.
Neurologists: For brain and spinal cord injuries.
Plastic Surgeons: For facial injuries and burn treatment.
Psychiatrists: For mental health support.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- How long will recovery take?
- What limitations will I have?
- Do I need surgery?
- Will I need ongoing treatment?
- Can I return to work?
Understanding Insurance After a Truck Accident
Types of Coverage
Truck Company Insurance: Commercial trucks must carry higher insurance limits than regular cars.
Your Insurance: Your policy might provide additional coverage.
Medical Payments Coverage: This can help pay medical bills regardless of who caused the accident.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
- Don’t admit fault
- Get everything in writing
- Don’t accept the first settlement offer
- Consider hiring a lawyer before giving statements
Support Resources for Victims
Medical Support
Find specialists who understand truck accident injuries. Many hospitals have trauma centers specifically equipped to handle severe injuries.
Emotional Support
- Counseling services
- Support groups for accident victims
- Family therapy
- PTSD treatment programs
Financial Assistance
- Disability benefits
- Victim compensation programs
- Charity organizations
- Medical payment plans
Prevention Through Technology
Safety Improvements
Automatic Emergency Braking: New trucks are being equipped with systems that can automatically apply brakes to prevent crashes.
Blind Spot Monitoring: Technology that alerts drivers when vehicles are in their blind spots.
Electronic Logging Devices: These track how long drivers have been working to prevent fatigue.
Future Safety Measures
The trucking industry continues to develop new safety technologies, including:
- Improved visibility systems
- Better training programs
- Advanced collision avoidance systems
- Stricter regulations
Final Thoughts
Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries that change lives forever. From brain injuries and spinal cord damage to broken bones and burns, these crashes often result in long-term medical care and significant financial hardship.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, don’t wait to seek help. Get medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Document everything about the accident and your injuries. Consider talking to an experienced Colorado personal injury law firm to understand your legal rights.
Remember, you don’t have to face this difficult time alone. With proper medical care, legal support, and time, many people can recover from truck accident injuries and rebuild their lives. The key is taking action quickly and getting the help you need.