Truck Accident Common Injuries

Having to share highways and roads with commercial tractor-trailers in Boston probably makes many of us nervous. At 10,000 to 80,000 pounds and up to sixty feet wide, 18-wheelers are an imposing force on Massachusetts roads. A truck accident with a tractor-trailer can cause horrific injuries and even death. Aside from physical trauma, victims can also suffer a tremendous amount of psychological strain that may lead to depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It’s important to seek medical attention immediately following a truck accident. A variety of issues, such as internal injuries and head trauma, may not be noticeable until sometime after the event, and additional health complications may emerge if treatment is delayed.

Described in detail below are some of the Massachusetts area’s truck accident common injuries.

Head Injuries: Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Depending upon the severity of a Massachusetts truck accident, trauma to the head or brain could have a wide range of physical and psychological effects.

From a mild concussion to a serious head injury, the extent of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may not be known immediately as symptoms can either occur right away or take days or weeks to appear. Even if the head looks fine, problems could result from inflammation and bruising of the brain. The most serious TBIs can result in long-term complications or death.

Spinal Cord Injuries

It is common for passengers of smaller vehicles to suffer injuries to their spine when involved in a large truck accident. The impact of auto crashes is the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in Massachusetts, leaving many victims with expensive medical bills and major lifestyle adjustments.

The powerful force of a crash can cause a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislodges, crushes, or compresses the vertebrae. Due to permanent damage to the nerves of the spine, temporary or permanent paralysis can result, sometimes necessitating lifelong treatment.

Broken Bone Injuries

Fractured bones are common in Boston truck accidents. The force of impact from hitting airbags, windows, or other vehicle parts, such as the steering wheel, can cause bones to crack, split, or shatter. Fractured and broken bones may heal over time, while others leave patients with long-term suffering.

Common accident breaks include a cracked skull, fractured hip, and broken legs and arms. Victims may need several surgeries to realign or remove bone fragments or have temporary or permanent pins, rods, and screws secured to their bones.

Cuts and Lacerations

Lacerations and puncture wounds are common injuries in large truck accidents in Boston. Cuts caused from debris such as shattered glass can have immediate and long-lasting effects for victims.

Lacerations from truck accidents can cause scarring, nerve damage, infections, and excessive blood loss, which may cause the victim to go into shock or even die. When scars are visible, the victim’s appearance may be permanently altered. Scars from lacerations can also result in psychological effects, constant reminders of a horrific truck accident.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The stress of being involved in a Massachusetts truck accident may cause the development of mental and emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a mental health condition that is provoked by a horrifying event. The disorder can last for months, years, or a lifetime.

Symptoms of PTSD from a truck accident may include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, leading to the inability to function in your normal daily routine. The National Centers for PTSD report that studies of the population have found that approximately 9 percent of motor vehicle accident survivors develop PTSD.

How an Attorney Can Help with Your Truck Accident Claim

The experienced Boston truck accident attorneys of the Law Offices of Joel H. Schwartz understand that people dealing with severe injuries sustained in a collision with a commercial tractor-trailer may be physically, emotionally, and financially traumatized by the event.

Our attorneys have extensive knowledge of large truck accidents and the resources to investigate your claim successfully. We are prepared to help you recover financial damages to compensate for the physical and emotional damage you have suffered. For a free consultation, call us at 617-742-1170 or complete the form at the bottom of this page.