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There are several common injuries in a Maryland truck accident. A truck accident can be devastating, no matter what vehicle it collides with. Whether it is a motorcycle, car, bicyclist, or pedestrian, the severity of the injury varies. However, the parts of the body that sustain injuries remain fairly consistent. Due to the sheer size difference between a semi-truck and any other vehicle on the road, broken bones are an all too common sight. Moreover, as Maryland injury attorneys, many of the injuries we observe are life-threatening. This is why we advise new clients to seek medical attention before anything else. While collecting as much evidence as possible is critical, nothing is as important as your health and safety.
By identifying the common injuries in a Maryland truck accident and understanding their long-term implications, victims can take the necessary steps to protect their legal rights and pursue the compensation they deserve. A skilled and experienced personal injury law firm in Maryland can help you navigate the complex legal process. If we can prove the defendant is legally liable for your injuries, we can pursue a claim against them. Calculating the value of your injuries is a critical component of your case. To successfully negotiate a settlement, we should know the extent of your injuries. This is why there is typically a lull between the initial accident date and when we initiate settlement negotiations.
While we would prefer to speed up the process as much as possible to get you your compensation as quickly as possible, we have no way of knowing the total cost of your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or the full extent and permanency of your injuries.
Head and brain injuries are among the most common injuries in a Maryland truck accident. Not only is it one of the most common, but it can be the most consequential and even lead to fatalities. There are a few ways this type of injury can occur. While a head or brain injury can occur due to a rear-end collision or rollover, it can also happen any time a victim’s head strikes a hard surface inside the vehicle. While an airbag or seat belt may mitigate this damage, there is only so much it will do to stop such a hard impact. There are three main types of brain injuries we observe most commonly in truck accident cases.
A concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), can cause a range of symptoms. Most commonly, plaintiffs who suffer concussive symptoms feel headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory issues. While we generally associate concussions with a relatively mild injury, the reality is they can be life-threatening and deserve to be taken seriously. There is still much doctors do not understand about concussions. You may not feel concussive symptoms for a week following the truck accident. As soon as you notice symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention.
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a more severe version of a concussion. These can result in longer-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. Victims may suffer from speech difficulties, memory loss, personality changes, and other life-altering effects. It is a major cause of death in the United States. While a TBI is among the less common injuries in a Maryland truck accident, they still occur with unfortunate regularity. You should consider seeking specialty care to address your injury. The sooner you act, the sooner you can work to mitigate the long-term effects of your injury.
Then, speaking to a trusted Maryland truck injury attorney can help organize your case to maximize compensation for your injuries.
Back injuries are among the most common in a Maryland truck accident. This is primarily because of the prevalence of whiplash in motor vehicle accidents. Whiplash is when your head gets jerked backward and forward in a vehicle accident. This forceful movement is generally against your muscles, causing strain. While it directly affects your neck and head, it can strain muscles throughout your back and even affect your spinal cord in more severe cases. In many instances, truck accident victims will suffer from a herniated disc. This is when the discs between the vertebrae slip or rupture altogether. This leads to significant pain and limited mobility. When you have this common type of injury, you are likely unable to work, especially if your job requires you to move around. In even more severe cases, spinal cord injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis.
When one suffers a spinal cord or back injury in a Maryland truck accident case, we typically suggest our clients seek two visits. First, speak to a doctor who will determine whether it is necessary to perform an x-ray to check for fractures in your neck or spinal cord. Second, if the doctor deems it appropriate, to receive physical therapy to treat soreness. Almost in every truck accident case, the accident victim complains of soreness. This is universal in nearly every motor vehicle case and is even more so in an accident with vehicles as large and heavy as semi-trucks.
Internal injuries are particularly dangerous because they are not always immediately apparent after a truck accident. Yet, they are among the more common injuries in a Maryland truck accident that require immediate medical attention. Internal organs represent a broad category of injuries. One internal injury that is more common is a punctured lung. Most frequently, this occurs because a fractured lung from the truck accident has been pushed into your lungs. This leads to immediate breathing difficulty and requires emergency medical care to survive. A punctured lung can occur when you are slammed into by a truck and thrown forward into the steering wheel or dashboard. Even if you hit the airbag, the collision can cause broken bones.
You may also suffer from internal bleeding or damage to other organs, such as kidneys, liver, and spleen.
All of the most common injuries in a Maryland truck accident we have discussed above are physically damaging and life-threatening. Psychological trauma following a truck accident is usually not life-threatening, but it can linger for years or even a lifetime. There are three categories of emotional trauma we observe after a truck accident. The first is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The other two categories are anxiety or depression and emotional distress.
In any of these three categories, we require a doctor’s diagnosis to claim it during a settlement negotiation or at trial. Accordingly, this should be written into your medical record if your doctor deems it appropriate. Of course, you are entitled to compensation for the medical expense of receiving this care. But you are also entitled to general damages for the pain and suffering associated with the emotional trauma. A jury typically decides the value of the damages and depends on your case’s facts.
Contact our office today to learn more about common injuries in a Maryland truck accident.
Call us today for a free consultation or case evaluation at (202) 331-7227.
Copyright © 2024 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.