Common Catastrophic Injuries in Semi-Truck Collisions

Commercial truck accidents are among the most devastating events on the road, often resulting in long-term injuries that profoundly affect victims’ lives. These severe semi-truck accident injuries not only cause immense physical and emotional pain but also lead to significant financial burdens. Understanding catastrophic truck accident injuries and their long-term implications is crucial for victims seeking justice and compensation after a crash that was not their fault.

Our Houston truck accident lawyers can help you understand the long-term implications to your health and day-to-day life from a crash caused by a truck driver. Learn more about the types of injuries people frequently suffer in crashes with commercial semi-trucks and what kinds of financial awards are possible because of these injuries.

Understanding Severe Semi-Truck Accident Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are those that cause long-term or permanent disability, significantly impairing a person’s ability to perform daily activities. They lead to substantial medical expenses. In the context of semi-truck collisions, the sheer size and weight of these commercial vehicles often result in injuries that are life-altering. Some of the most common semi-truck accident injuries include the following.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries are among the most common and severe outcomes of semi-truck accidents. The forceful impact can cause the brain to collide with the interior of the skull, leading to bruising, bleeding, and tearing of brain tissue. Symptoms may include:

• Cognitive impairments
• Memory loss
• Personality changes
• Physical disabilities

The financial implications are significant, with five-figure bills for initial emergency care. Long-term care expenses escalate from there, as rehabilitation and support services are required for months and years.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, profoundly affecting a victim’s mobility and independence. How much is a spinal injury worth? The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports that initial hospitalization costs for severe spinal cord injuries are often in the low six-figure range. Ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and potential home modifications further contribute to the financial strain.

Amputations

The significant force generated in commercial truck accidents can lead to traumatic amputations, either through the force of the impact or from lacerations and subsequent infections. The loss of a limb necessitates prosthetics, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care, all of which contribute to substantial long-term expenses.

Severe Burns

Semi-trucks often carry large quantities of fuel, and collisions can lead to fires resulting in severe burn injuries. These injuries require extensive treatment in specialized burn centers, which are costly and involve many months of recovery and physical therapy. The American Burn Center notes that someone with devastating burn injuries might stay in an intensive care unit for several weeks at a cost of several thousand dollars per day, not including extended care for skin grafts and other surgical procedures.

Severe burn injuries are permanent and can result in lifelong pain and suffering, significantly impacting a victim’s quality of life and financial stability. The average compensation for a severe burn injury can approach seven figures.

Internal Injuries

The force of a semi-truck collision can cause blunt-trauma internal injuries, damaging the liver, kidneys, or spleen. These injuries can be life-threatening and require urgent surgical intervention to prevent severe complications from internal bleeding or organ failure.

Psychological Trauma

Beyond physical injuries, many semi-truck accident victims suffer from psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. These conditions can persist long after physical wounds heal and may require ongoing therapy and counseling. The emotional toll can affect a victim’s ability to return to work, potentially leading to five-to-seven-figure settlements.

Financial Implications of Catastrophic Truck Accident Injuries

The financial impact of catastrophic injuries extends far beyond initial medical bills. Ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and support services could reach six, seven, or eight figures over a lifetime, depending on the severity of the injury and the level of care required.

These financial burdens can be overwhelming for victims and their families, making it essential to pursue full and fair compensation through a truck accident lawsuit with the help of experienced legal professionals.

Pursuing Compensation Through a Semi-Truck Accident Injury Lawsuit

In Texas, victims of semi-truck accidents have the right to seek compensation for their severe injuries through personal injury lawsuits. These lawsuits can attempt to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the accident. However, the process can be complex, requiring a thorough understanding of both state and federal trucking regulations, personal injury laws, and the ability to gather and present compelling evidence.

The Importance of Legal Representation for Lawsuits Involving Catastrophic Truck Accident Injuries

Recent legislative changes in Texas, such as House Bill 19, have introduced bifurcated trials in trucking accident cases. This means that the issues of liability and damages are determined in separate phases, allowing for a more focused assessment of each aspect.

While this can benefit plaintiffs by preventing prejudicial information from influencing the jury’s decision on liability, it also underscores the importance of having experienced legal representation to navigate the complexities of such cases. An experienced personal injury attorney can help gather and preserve evidence, consult with medical and financial experts, and advocate on behalf of the victim to ensure that all aspects of the injury—physical, emotional, and financial—are taken into account in the pursuit of compensation.

Trust Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law for Help After a Truck Crash That Wasn’t Your Fault

Semi-truck collisions often result in catastrophic injuries that have profound and lasting effects on victims’ lives. Beyond dealing with your physical recovery and overcoming any emotional trauma, the financial implications are significant from both immediate medical expenses and long-term care costs. Pursuing compensation through injury lawsuits is essential for victims to recover damages and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we offer free consultations to provide advice about the strength of your personal injury claim and what you should do after suffering semi-truck accident injuries in the Houston area. To learn more about catastrophic truck accident injuries and your legal options for seeking financial awards, contact us today at (713) 973-8888.