Severe Accident Injury

Tractor trailer accidents account for a small percentage of all motor vehicle accidents in the United States today, but are responsible for many severe injuries, fatalities, and damage due to the size and weight of the vehicle. Tractor trailer trucks can hold up to 80,000 pounds of cargo or even more with certain permits. That amount of weight can easily cause severe accident injuries when pitted against a much smaller vehicle.

Types of Severe Accident Injuries

About 5,000 people die every year from severe injuries sustained during tractor trailer accidents. While tractor trailer accidents have been on the decline due to preventative measures put in place, there is still a long way to go to prevent severe accident injuries and deaths. Every driver on the road is responsible for following safe procedures to prevent tractor trailer accidents.

Brain and Spine Injuries

Injuries to the brain can cause loss of memory, motor functions, vision, and mental capacity. These types of severe injuries can affect the quality of life for patients and cause years of suffering. Any injury to the spine can cause paralysis, organ failure, and chronic pain.

Broken Bones

Bones that have been broken can cause a patient to miss work, and can take time and costly procedures to heal. In some cases, bones broken in a severe accident even lead to chronic conditions, such as CRPS. Depending on the break and placement, some broken bones can cause permanent disability.

Burns

Burns can be excruciatingly painful, and cause patients tremendous suffering. Burns caused by a severe tractor trailer accident can get infected in some cases, and lead to worsening conditions. Treating burns can require skin grafts and other expensive medical treatment. In the case of chemical exposure and chemical burns, patients may also sustain severe injuries to the respiratory system.

Internal Injuries

Trauma to internal organs can be deadly in some cases. Liver, kidneys, bladder, and pancreas are all organs that often sustain injury during a tractor trailer accident. These types of severe injuries are difficult to treat and can cause deadly complications.

After a Severe Accident Injury

When a patient that has been in a tractor trailer accident sustains serious injuries, the driver at fault is the responsible party. An attorney can help to determine exactly who is at fault for the accident, and how to go about receiving rightful compensation for costs stemming from the accident. Since there is a time window for filing lawsuits in cases of tractor trailer accidents, an attorney should be contacted as soon as possible following an accident.

Sources:

“Analysis of injury severity and vehicle occupancy in truck- and non-truck-involved accidents.” PubMed.gov. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 31 Sep 1999. Web. 25 Oct 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10440555>.

“Large-Truck Crash Causation Study: An Initial Overview.” U.S. Department of Transportation NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. National Center for Statistics and Analysis, n.d. Web. 24 Oct 2013. <http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810646.pdf>.

“Spinal Cord Injuries.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical education and Research, 22 Oct 2011. Web. 25 Oct 2013. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/spinal-cord-injury/DS00460>.