According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), trucks are about 20–30 times heavier than passenger vehicles, making semi-truck or big rig accidents particularly devastating for everyone involved. When a massive commercial truck strikes a smaller vehicle, the force of the impact can lead to severe injuries that have long-term consequences.
Our experienced legal team in Virginia has seen firsthand how common truck accident injuries have affected our clients. That’s why we’ve dedicated our practice to helping victims seek financial support for their losses and suffering. If you were injured in a truck accident, contact us for a free consultation to learn how we can help you.
Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
Truck accidents can be catastrophic when there’s a significant weight difference between the vehicles involved. Here’s why commercial truck crashes are so dangerous:
- Massive weight: A fully-loaded truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, while the average car weighs just over 4,300 pounds.
- Impact force differential: A heavy commercial truck can transfer overwhelming force to a smaller car or other passenger vehicle during a crash.
- Longer stopping distances: This massive weight also means trucks need more distance to stop, especially at top speeds.
- Larger blind spots: Due to their extreme length and height, commercial trucks have “no zone” blind spots. Drivers are warned that if they cannot see the truck driver in the truck’s side mirror, they can assume they’re in the “no zone,” and the truck driver cannot see them.
- Jackknifing and rollover risks: If cargo is improperly loaded, weight can shift, causing the truck to jackknife or to completely rollover.
What Are Common Injuries Caused By Truck Accidents?
Even at slower speeds, truck accidents can cause severe injuries that lead to expensive medical bills, lengthy recovery times, and significant stress on victims and their loved ones. Here are the most common truck accident injuries:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Truck accident victims often suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can range from mild concussions to severe cases that cause permanent disabilities.
Depending on the type of TBI, symptoms may include:
- Ongoing or worsening headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
- Dizziness or confusion
- Short-term memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Cognitive changes
- Irritability or other behavioral changes
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Back and spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are particularly serious because they can affect a person’s ability to feel or move, requiring long-term care. Spinal cord trauma is classified by the extent of nerve damage and the location of the impact.
After a truck accident, victims may experience these effects from a spinal cord injury:
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness or loss of feeling in limbs
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Intense or involuntary muscle spasms
- Loss of feeling or motor function below the injury site
- Complete paralysis
Broken Bones and Fractures
Broken bones are another common truck accident injury, including complex fractures in the arms, wrists, legs, ribs, pelvis, and skull. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, it can take months or longer to heal, sometimes requiring multiple surgeries to repair the break.
Additionally, bone fractures may require ongoing medical care long after the accident, including physical therapy and chronic pain management.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage
The blunt force of a truck collision often leads to internal injuries that occur without breaking the skin, such as:
- Internal bleeding or hemorrhaging
- Damaged blood vessels
- Punctured or ruptured lungs and other organs
- Damaged kidneys, liver, and spleen
While some internal injuries are obvious, others are not immediately apparent. This is why it’s crucial to seek medical attention right away after a truck accident—even if you feel fine at the time. A doctor may catch these injuries and treat them before they worsen or cause permanent damage.
Neck and Soft Tissue Injuries
Neck injuries, such as whiplash, are common in truck accidents. The sudden back-and-forth motion caused by the impact can damage the tissues, muscles, and nerves in the neck.
Other soft tissue injuries that are frequently seen after a truck crash include:
- Strains and sprains
- Tears to ligaments or muscles
- Bruising
- Cuts and lacerations
Serious Burns
Because trucks carry a higher volume of fuel or may be hauling highly flammable materials, there is an increased risk of truck accident fires after a collision. Victims may suffer severe burns leading to permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Psychological Trauma
Truck accidents can be a shocking and traumatic experience, leading to serious mental health issues. Many victims struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, anxiety, depression, or persistent fear that affects every aspect of their lives.
How Can Truck Accident Injuries Affect Your Life?
Truck accident injuries go beyond the physical effects. They can have a profound impact on a person’s life by affecting their ability to pay bills, support their family, enjoy activities with loved ones, or their overall quality of life.
Long-term and permanent injuries can also affect a person’s future. Victims may have mobility issues or require ongoing care that limits their independence. They could also miss out on career opportunities and other goals because of their injuries.
The types of losses victims may experience after a truck accident include:
- Medical expenses
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, our attorneys will carefully assess how your injuries affect your life. We’ll identify all the ways you’ve suffered and include the full value of your damages in your claim.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help You?
Truck accidents are complex because they typically involve multiple parties and aggressive insurance companies. Unfortunately, insurers may try to pressure you to accept a lowball settlement or unfairly deny your claim by blaming you for the accident. Under Virginia’s contributory negligence rule, injury victims cannot receive compensation if they are even 1% at fault.
Our Virginia truck accident lawyers know the tactics the insurance companies may use to pay less than your claim is worth, and will fight to protect your right to compensation. With over 120 years of combined experience, we have a strong track record of securing excellent case results while providing compassionate support and guidance every step of the way.
Get Help With Your Truck Accident Injury Case Today
If you were injured in a truck crash, we know the struggles you’re facing and are ready to help. We’re known as The Car Crash Experts because we’ve handled countless auto accident cases and know what steps to take to help our clients pursue justice.
Call (757) 333-3333 or contact us online for your free, no-obligation case evaluation. We can help you understand your rights and legal options after a truck accident in Virginia.
