Catastrophic Injuries from Commercial Truck Accidents

While every accident has the potential to leave a victim suffering in the form of injuries, some injuries are more severe than others. These are often referred to as catastrophic injuries and require extensive medical treatment, costly rehabilitation and even the potential for surgeries down the road.

How Trucking Accidents Impact Victims

A person who is coping with catastrophic injuries after a trucking accident will have their life forever changed by those few seconds in the midst of an accident. They may not be sure about how to proceed going forward, but may be deeply concerned about their ability to protect their interests and their rights. No one should have to go through this situation, but unfortunately, the reality is that catastrophic injuries from trucking accidents are more common than ever.

The commercial trucking industry across the United States is vibrant and also is experiencing a massive shortage of drivers. This means that drivers currently working for companies are under tremendous pressure to get their deliveries accomplished as soon as possible.

Due to concerns that employers may be putting this kind of pressure on drivers directly, state and federal regulations prohibit a truck driver from being on the road too long without appropriate rest. More regulations are being considered every single year by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and other government regulators. That being said, despite advanced technology and a tightening of regulations in recent years, more people continue to suffer catastrophic injuries in commercial truck accidents.

Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents with Catastrophic Injuries

Some of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents that lead to catastrophic injuries have to do with negligence on the part of the driver. What makes commercial trucking accidents so much more complicated than a traditional trucking accident is that more than one party may be held liable.
A proper investigation of the accident scene needs to be completed immediately after the accident has occurred to identify whether or not the employer, for example, could be responsible for failing to hire or supervise the driver in question.

A defective part may also lead to a lawsuit directly against the manufacturer of that particular defective part. When injuries occur because of another party's negligence or breach of duty, this can form the basis of a personal injury lawsuit. When an individual files a claim involving an insurance company in a commercial trucking accident, it can be shocking for the victim to realize that the insurance companies responsible do not pay for the vast majority or all of the injury payments.

Someone who suffers a catastrophic injury is likely going to have months and years of medical treatments, many of which are very expensive. A health insurance policy or even the initial insurance offer presented by the other side may not be sufficient to cover these costs. This is what makes the understanding of the rights on the part of the catastrophically injured victim very important.

Proper Diagnosis Requires Immediate Medical Attention

The scene of a commercial trucking accident can be a confusing one, especially if the victim has suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, or other serious medical condition. Many of the symptoms tied to these devastating injuries are difficult to pinpoint without a doctor’s insight.

Anyone who may have been injured in such an accident should never downplay the possible effects. Serious injuries are very likely in these accidents, especially if the driver was transporting dangerous cargo or was going at an excessive speed at the time of the incident. All these concerns can represent big problems for a person who suffers and now must cope with the ongoing pain as well as the medical costs for future treatment. Years of future care may be required in the most serious injury cases.

Most Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Truck accident injuries can range from mild cuts and bruises for a person who is extremely lucky to fatal injuries. People who are lucky enough to survive a trucking accident could have their lives forever changed may suffer catastrophic injuries.

Catastrophic injuries often include those that significantly change the victim's life including scarring and disfigurement that leads to psychological harm for many years to come. Every type of injury can also range from mild to severe and this is particularly true when the injury is affecting the neck, the back or the head.
Neck, back or head trauma in any accident can lead to injury to the spinal cord or the brain. Depending on the force of the crash itself and other circumstances of the accident, this can make it impossible for the injured person to move on with their life. Dislocated discs or consistent pain that radiates throughout the person's body may make it impossible for them to ever go back to work or to live a life as they did before.

Even with advanced medical technology and opportunities available to intervene quickly in the cases of catastrophic injuries, it is not always possible to restore a person to their full capability and functionality that they had prior to the accident.