What Are Common Severe Injuries after a Semi-Truck Accident in California?
Thousands of people have anxiety when driving near a semi-truck in California, and for a good reason. In the United States, these vehicles can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds. While most weigh between 20,000 and 30,000, that’s still very large, considering the average passenger vehicle only weighs about 3,000 pounds. Getting in an accident with one of these trucks can cause severe injuries. If you suffered a collision with a negligent truck driver, contact Eric Ratinoff Law Corp. We will assess your situation, answer your questions, and, if we take your case, conduct a thorough investigation and work to hold the negligent parties accountable.
Common Injuries Resulting from Truck Accidents
If you were in a truck accident, you must seek medical attention immediately. Remember, not all injuries show symptoms right away, but a doctor can perform a complete check-up to diagnose any external and internal injuries. Some of the most common injuries resulting from truck accidents include:
- Back and neck injuries: Your back and neck have small, fragile bones and ligaments that can easily break or tear upon impact. Whiplash may also occur when your head violently shakes back and forth. Remember, you do not have to hit your head on a surface to sustain whiplash. A back or neck injury may not show symptoms until a few hours or days after the accident, but you might feel slight pain or discomfort in the affected area.
- Spinal cord injuries: Your spine carries nerve messages from your brain to other body parts. A spinal cord injury may cause partial, temporary, complete or permanent paralysis to parts of your body. If your spine sustains injuries, there is usually no easy cure. Often, victims must undergo years of treatments, surgeries, and physical therapy to heal. Unfortunately, some accident victims do not completely heal from a spinal cord injury.
- Head and brain injuries: Head and brain injuries are common following a truck accident. An injury could be a bruise that goes away within a few weeks or a mild concussion. Conversely, the injury might be more severe, like a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs are severe and may cause permanent damage or death to the accident victim. TBI symptoms may include confusion, headaches, dizziness, irritability, change in sleeping habits, or nausea.
- Burns: Since trucks are large vehicles, they cause more damage when they collide with passenger cars. Thus, the possibility of a fuel tank rupturing is high. A fire can spread fast, engulfing both the truck and car. Drivers and passengers may suffer severe burns that are painful and leave permanent scars.
- Amputation or disfigurement: In a truck accident, amputation might happen because of crushing with the other vehicle. Amputation might also happen because of an injury, such as a burn. If you endured amputation or disfigurement, you will likely require ongoing medical treatment and/or the use of a prosthetic to do daily activities.
- Broken bones, cuts, and bruises: While you might think cuts and bruises are only minor, they can become infected if you leave them untreated. Furthermore, bruises might be a sign of a more severe internal injury. You might also suffer broken bones in various locations, such as your hands, arms, or feet.
- Internal injuries: Even if you walk away from a truck accident without broken bones, cuts, or head trauma, you might still be suffering from internal injuries. Airbags may cause abdominal injuries, or you might suffer from bladder, spleen, liver, or kidney injury. Internal bleeding is also common among truck accident victims.
If a truck driver caused your accident, you should seek legal advice immediately to find out how to hold the driver and any other negligent parties accountable for medical bills, property damage costs, and other accident-related expenses. In order to receive compensation, you must first prove that the driver was negligent in causing the crash. Doing so could be hard to do on your own, especially while you recover, but a Sacramento truck accident lawyer can help. Do your research and find the right lawyer who you trust and who has experience with truck accidents.
Speak to a Skilled California Truck Accident Attorney Today
Trucking accidents in California can be complex. Multiple parties might be involved, making it difficult to know who is liable. Additionally, trucking companies often have extensive resources on their side. Eric Ratinoff is an experienced truck accident attorney in Northern California with the resources needed to take a truck accident case all the way to a jury trial, if need be. Attorney Eric Ratinoff can determine the liable party or parties and pursue financial compensation on your behalf. To schedule a consultation, call (916) 970-9100 or complete our contact form.
