Truck accidents can be devastating. They are known to cause serious injuries that have lasting physical, emotional, and financial implications for victims. In this blog, we will discuss the types of catastrophic injuries that commonly result from truck accidents, how they affect victims, and what legal options are available to them.
The Physical and Emotional Consequences of Truck Accidents
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most common severe injuries in truck accidents. This type of injury occurs when an external force causes damage to the brain, resulting in physical symptoms such as headaches or dizziness, cognitive issues such as memory loss or confusion, emotional problems such as depression or anxiety, and/or behavioral changes such as irritability or aggression. Depending on the severity of the injury, a TBI can have long-term consequences, including physical disabilities and psychological trauma.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
Spinal cord injuries occur when there is damage to the vertebrae or discs that surround the spinal cord. This type of injury can lead to partial or complete paralysis below the point at which it occurred. A person who suffers a spinal cord injury may experience permanent nerve damage and require lifelong medical care. Other potential impacts include:
- Chronic pain
- Reduced mobility
- Loss of sensation in affected areas of the body
- Breathing difficulties
- Bladder control issues and more.
Severe Burns
Burns can occur in truck accidents due to contact with hot engine parts or through explosions caused by leaking fuel tanks, ruptured gas lines or even the hazardous chemicals they may carry. Depending on their severity, burns can range from minor skin irritation to severe disfigurement. Severe burns may require extensive hospitalization for treatment of infection prevention and pain management; they also carry a high risk of infection due to damaged skin tissue being unable to protect against bacteria effectively. Burn victims may suffer from permanent scarring and emotional trauma due to disfigurement caused by their injury.
Amputations
Amputations occur when an object involved in the truck accident severs a limb. These objects could be anything from debris flying around during a collision to pieces of broken glass inside the cab itself. If not treated quickly enough after an amputation, gangrene may set in, leading to complications such as sepsis (blood poisoning). Amputations can also cause significant physical disability, but they often have an even greater emotional impact on those affected since they must learn how to live without their limb(s).
Serious Injury and Truck Accident Attorneys in Harrisonburg, VA
At Obenshain Law Group, our Harrisonburg truck accident attorneys understand the physical and emotional pain that victims of catastrophic injuries endure. We are committed to helping you pursue justice and receive fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, future care needs and any other losses associated with your injury. Let us fight for your rights so that you can focus on healing and moving forward with your life.
Contact us today at (540) 318-7360 or by filling out our form online.