Common Truck Accident Injuries
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that, on average, long-haul truck drivers work nearly 60 hours per week and drive more than 107,000 miles each year.
These drivers are at risk for distracted and drowsy driving, and the consequences can be fatal.
According to the most recently published National Safety Council (NSC) data, 4,842 large trucks were involved in deadly crashes in the last reporting year. Also, 107,000 large trucks were involved in accidents resulting in an injury.
Given their size and weight, large trucks typically cause more severe and fatal injuries when involved in accidents with passenger vehicles. Some of the most common truck accident injuries include the following.
Brain, Neck, and Head Trauma
The impact and force of a large truck slamming into a passenger vehicle can cause the occupants to be jostled and potentially thrown from the car.
These events frequently cause concussions, hematomas, hemorrhages, contusions, and traumatic brain injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Injury to the spinal cord from a truck accident can cause paralysis and other life-long disabilities. Sometimes, a spinal cord injury may not be apparent immediately after the accident.
As such, it is crucial that truck accident victims consult with a physician after a collision.
Whiplash
During a truck accident, a motorist’s head may suddenly propel forward and suddenly stop. When this occurs, the truck accident victim may experience whiplash, which involves damage to the soft tissue of their neck.
Burns
The risk of explosions and fire is particularly worrisome after a truck accident, especially if the truck is carrying hazardous or flammable materials. In these cases, the fire can spread quickly and can cause vehicle occupants to sustain severe burns.
Internal Injuries
Truck accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries to internal organs. The blunt force between a large truck and a passenger vehicle can cause damage to the bladder, spleen, colon, lungs, and pancreas.
Broken Bones
Those involved in an accident with a large truck may suffer strains, sprains, and broken bones. While some of these injuries may heal, many bone injuries can result in long-term pain and disability.
Truck accidents are preventable events if truck drivers, employers, and other road users work to implement safe tactics and follow trucking regulations and road rules.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
In many cases, the adrenaline following an accident can mask the full extent of a person’s injuries. Thus the first three things a person should do after a truck accident include the following:
- Contact 911 and seek medical attention,
- Collect identifying information, and
- Contact a truck accident lawyer.
These cases are challenging and require a comprehensive understanding of federal trucking regulations and state negligence laws.
Contacting an attorney as soon as possible increases the chances of a favorable outcome after a truck accident.
How Much Will a Truck Accident Lawsuit Cost Me?
Our Armstrong Lee & Baker attorneys collect a fee only if we win your case. We work on a contingency fee basis, and under this framework, if we win the case, we will take a predetermined amount or percentage of the settlement or judgment.
What Is the Average Semi-truck Accident Settlement?
Texas has no average truck accident settlement amount because each case presents its unique set of circumstances.
However, certain factors can impact the semi-truck accident settlement. These factors include the following:
- The truck driver’s conduct;
- If the victim was partially at fault;
- The severity of the victim’s injuries;
- The victim’s medical costs, and
- The liable party’s ability to satisfy the judgment.
A Pasadena truck accident lawyer can work with injury victims to determine how much they can expect to secure following a successful lawsuit.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help
A truck accident lawyer is crucial to securing a favorable judgment and maximum compensation after a collision. The following are some ways how can a Pasadena truck accident lawyer help a victim:
Identifying Liable Parties
Identifying all liable parties after a truck accident is crucial in recovering compensation. In these cases, there may be multiple responsible parties, including the following:
- Truck driver;
- Truck company;
- Truck manufacturer;
- Cargo loading company, and
- Insurance company
Truck companies may try to avoid liability or present affirmative defenses in these cases. An attorney can navigate these hurdles and hold the liable parties responsible for their client’s damages.
Preparing a compelling case
Attorneys are crucial in negotiating with insurance companies and trucking companies and presenting a case to a judge or jury. An experienced Pasadena truck accident lawyer will:
- Investigate and collect evidence;
- Gather medical documents;
- Establish negligence;
- Negotiate with insurance companies, and
- Litigate the claim.
Preparing and presenting a compelling case is paramount to collecting economic and noneconomic damages after a Texas truck accident.
Talk to a Pasadena Truck Accident Attorney Now
If you have been hurt in a truck accident, you may not know what to do or where to turn for help, and that is okay.
At Armstrong Lee & Baker, our Pasadena truck accident attorneys have years of experience aggressively pursuing maximum compensation on behalf of our clients and their family members.
We understand how insurance companies think and what motivates them to settle your case for top dollar.
However, as seasoned litigators, we are just as comfortable taking your case in front of the jury when the insurance company is not offering a fair settlement. The bottom line is that we will do whatever we can to get you the compensation you deserve.
To learn more and schedule a free consultation today, call 832-402-6637 today. You can also connect with us through our online contact form.
We handle all car accident lawsuits on a contingency basis, meaning we will not charge you for our legal services unless we can connect you with compensation.
