Most common truck accident injuries in California

How to get compensation if you’ve been injured on the road in California

Trucking collisions happen in California almost every day. Because some accidents can be hard to predict, it’s a good idea to be prepared in case they happen. Any accident between a large truck and a passenger vehicle can be catastrophic due to the vast discrepancy in their sizes.

Some common truck accident injuries can be similar to those experienced in accidents with cars. However, you should seek immediate medical attention regardless of the type of truck accident you experience. A medical examination will help detect injuries and traumas that may not be evident immediately after an accident.

The chance of a car driver and their passengers suffering serious injuries is high whenever there’s a collision between a large truck and a passenger vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately three-fourths of all truck accident deaths and injuries are suffered by the individual in the vehicle hit by the truck.

Common truck accident injuries in California

Below are some of the most common injuries that result from truck accidents in California.

Traumatic brain injuries

Traumatic brain injury is not only caused by slamming your head into your vehicle. The impact of a truck colliding with a passenger vehicle alone creates enough force that can lead to severe injuries to the brain. The problem is that brain injuries don’t always show up immediately after the accident. That’s why it is important to go for a medical evaluation to determine the extent of your injuries.

Traumatic brain injuries may manifest as nausea, blurred vision, short-term memory problems, ringing in the ears and other cognitive issues. Approximately 80 percent of mild traumatic brain injuries resolve within a few months, while about 20 percent are considered permanent and life-changing.

Broken bones

The blunt force trauma caused during a truck accident can easily result in broken or entirely shattered bones. It’s common to have a completely crushed or broken bone in truck accidents due to the massive force of the impact.

Bone fractures can happen anywhere on the body. They can occur on your face, ribs, arms or even feet. The best thing to do after a truck accident is to remain still until the medical team arrives at the scene of the accident. Moving around can worsen the injuries and even lead to death in some instances.

Seatbelt and airbag injuries

Sometimes the items intended to protect you in the event of an accident are the same ones that inflict injuries.

The primary purpose of seatbelts is to prevent passengers from being thrown around or ejected from their vehicle during an accident, but they can also lead to injuries like broken ribs and crushed organs. Airbags, which are intended to protect your head and upper body during a collision, often deploy at such high speeds that they can inadvertently result in trauma to the face, chest, neck or arms.

Despite the potential injuries that seatbelts and airbags pose during a crash, their benefits still far outweigh the risks.

Burns

Burns are also common injuries experienced in truck accidents in California. There is always a chance that the fuel tank of a huge truck will rupture, causing it to catch fire. Sometimes the fire can spread and burn other vehicles in close proximity. Fire can result in disfiguring burns on the skin and can be life-threatening.

Neck, back and spinal cord injuries

The impact of a truck accident can cause serious back and neck issues such as:

• • Whiplash occurs when the neck vertebrae are suddenly pushed forward and back. This puts a strain on the neck muscles and ligaments, which results in pain.

• • A herniated disc occurs when a disc in the spinal cord slips out of place, which can irritate the nerves that surround it, causing pain.

• Spinal cord injuries may cause life-long issues such as chronic pain or numbness and tingling in the arms and legs.

The side effects of a back injury can sometimes be so painful that victims may not be able to go carry out their normal daily activities.

Lacerations and cuts

Breaking glass, flying debris and airborne elements in a vehicle can cause serious injuries to the driver and passengers of both vehicles. The impact of these items can result in cuts and lacerations on the body and face during an accident. Although these types of injuries may seem minor, they can result in infections or disfigurement.

Internal and abdominal injuries

The crushing force of a truck or the resistance of a seatbelt are 2 of the major causes of internal injuries in a truck accident. The role of the rib cage is to protect the vital organs of the body, which can easily be punctured in an accident if the ribs are broken. The heart, lungs, spleen, bladder, pancreas and kidneys are typically the most affected organs.

Amputation

Truck accidents that are severe in nature can result in amputation of limbs or extremities during a collision. Sometimes a doctor may also recommend the amputation of hands, legs, arms or feet due to excessive burns on the body.

When to contact a personal injury attorney after a truck accident

Truck accidents occur in California every single day. If you’ve suffered any of the above injuries as the result of an accident with a truck in California, it’s vital that you consult an experienced California truck accident attorney. They can carry out the proper investigations to help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at MVP Accident Attorneys are here to help. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for our clients across the states of California and Texas, and we'd love to devise an individualized plan for you too.

Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation. There’s never a fee unless we win your case.