Common Types of Catastrophic Truck Accident Injuries
All types of motor vehicle accidents are serious; however, when a semi-truck is involved, catastrophic injuries can result. When someone has been diagnosed with a catastrophic injury, they might be left unable to work. This will not only lead to a prolonged recovery process but can also leave someone wondering how they are going to provide for themselves and their family. For this reason, it is critical for everyone to seek medical care as quickly as possible. It is also important to understand a few of the common types of catastrophic truck accident injuries.
Sadly, catastrophic injuries can be common for those who have been involved in an accident involving a semi-truck. Knowing the common examples of catastrophic injuries can help set someone up for a successful recovery.
Catastrophic Truck Accident Injuries Often Involve the Spine
One of the most common locations for someone to suffer a catastrophic injury in a truck accident involves the spine. Often, these injuries result when the vehicle is struck from behind. When the tremendous force of a truck is involved, this can cause someone to snap backward violently, potentially severing the spinal cord.
When someone has suffered an injury of the spinal cord, this can lead to permanent complications. These might involve nerve damage, chronic pain, and even paralysis. All spinal cord injuries are serious and may be considered catastrophic in nature.
Shattered Bones May Constitute a Catastrophic Injury
Bone fractures can take many shapes and forms. Sometimes, the bone fractures involved in a truck accident will constitute polytrauma. Some of the most common locations for a bone fracture following a truck accident include the femur, humerus, and even the vertebrae of the back.
There are a few signs that bone fractures in a truck accident are catastrophic. Often, people suffer crush injuries in a motor vehicle accident that can lead to a prolonged recovery process. Crush injuries involving the femur or humerus can require an extensive surgical procedure to reconstruct the limb. This injury can damage not only the bones but also the nerves and blood vessels.
Severe crush injuries might even result in an amputation. This may make it hard for someone to return to work. For this reason, shattered bones can constitute a catastrophic injury.
Traumatic Brain injuries can be Catastrophic
One of the most common catastrophic injuries that someone might suffer in a truck accident involves the brain. A traumatic brain injury can take place either as a blunt injury, such as an impact against the steering wheel or dashboard, or as a penetrating injury, stemming from a puncture wound. Head injuries are also common if someone gets ejected from the vehicle.
When someone suffers a traumatic brain injury, there has been an alteration in how the neurons of the brain function. Sadly, unlike other parts of the body, the neurons of the brain may never fully heal. This can leave someone with permanent complications that impact the motor and sensory function of various parts of the body. This makes TBIs catastrophic.
Eye Injuries in a Truck Accident
Often overlooked, eye injuries following a truck accident can be considered catastrophic. There are multiple ways that someone may injure their eyes in a truck accident. Sometimes, a puncture wound to the eye can lead to visual loss. Penetrating injuries, such as puncture wounds, may come from metal, shrapnel, or glass that enter the eye.
Blunt force trauma to the orbit itself can also lead to a serious eye injury. When someone suffers a blow to the face, this can fracture the orbital socket, leading to an open globe injury. An open globe injury is an optical emergency and requires the attention of a trained surgeon to save the eye.
Eye injuries may result in a permanent visual loss that can make it hard for someone to return to work. These, along with other catastrophic injuries, constitute a serious issue following a truck accident. Fortunately, there are professionals who are willing to help families in need, providing hope to everyone involved in a truck accident.
Stockton Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton Truck Accident Lawyer. Catastrophic truck accident injuries can leave someone unable to work, looking for help and support. If you have suffered a serious injury in a truck accident due to the negligence of another person or entity, please contact me today by using (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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