According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large commercial truck accidents increased by 50% in the past decade. Sadly, over 4,000 people die in collisions with semi-trucks per year, and the majority of those deaths are passengers in smaller vehicles. And since large trucks transport over 70% of products to American businesses, accidents that cause serious injury or fatality are going to continue happening. Here are some common truck accident injuries to look out for.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The physics of a trucking accident means that any collision has the potential for serious or fatal injuries. Semi-trucks are a lot heavier than a passenger vehicle and, when something that size travels at high speeds, the potential for injury is higher. A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) may occur after a truck accident. Some symptoms of a TBI may include:
- Balance problems,
- Memory loss,
- Impaired/double vision,
- Trouble speaking/communicating, and
- Trouble sleeping.
It is important to have a reputable doctor check to make sure that an injured person does not have a TBI.
Neck and Back Injuries
A neck or back injury may also result from a tractor trailer accident. Some symptoms may be, stiff, sore, pain, weakness, or numbness. It is important to go to the doctor at the earliest opportunities if you experience any of these symptoms after a truck wreck.
If a neck and back injury is related to muscle or tendons, it is often called a “soft tissue injury.” This means that the most common symptom is pain. Usually soft tissue injuries resolve after treatment, without issue. If the neck and back injury results in a broken bone, herniated disc, or some other objective injury, these injuries are generally more serious and may result in more extended care.
Depending on the severity, a neck injury or back injury can affect a person for years, or life. Medical help is important to determining what type of injury has occurred.
What If the Crash Aggravated an Older Injury?
This is a complex legal question. Under Georgia law, a person may recover for exaggeration of a previously asymptomatic injury. This is called the “eggshell” rule. The idea is that, if a person has a condition that is weak but not problematic (like the shell of an egg), then that person can recover for injuries to their weakened condition in an accident. Likewise, if an injury is made worse from an accident, then the aggravation (but not the original issue) is recoverable.
If the case involves pre-existing injuries, the services of a reputable doctor and turkc accident attorney are even more important.
Truck Wreck? Contact Weatherby Law Firm, P.C. Today!
We know truck accidents. We represent trucking companies and folks with real injuries from a truck wreck case. At Weatherby Law Firm, P.C., we proudly represent Georgians in a variety of legal matters including wrongful death suits, catastrophic injury claims, auto accident suits, and more. We specialize in catastrophic personal injury matters such as truck accident claims, and offer experienced and dedicated legal representation to our clients. Contact our office via phone at (404-793-0026) or our online contact form.