Accidents involving large trucks happen every day. The injuries that result from these crashes can be severe, as large vehicles are some of the biggest and heaviest machines on the road. If you or someone you know has been in a truck accident, the process of seeking justice and compensation for any injuries might seem intimidating. However, at D’Amore Law Group, we are here to help you navigate this often emotional and painful process. This post will examine some of the most common causes and types of truck accident injuries so that you can be informed about the risks that trucking accidents pose.
Truck Injury Statistics
In 2020, the United States was home to about 415,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks. Out of these accidents, 101,000 resulted in injuries and 4,444 of them resulted in a fatality.
Both Oregon and Washington have some pretty staggering statistics when it comes to large truck accidents as well. In 2019, Oregon had 655 large truck accidents that resulted in a fatality. There is also a state-wide problem with professional truck drivers staying behind the wheel too long. When a truck driver becomes too tired to drive, the odds of them ending up in a collision increase dramatically. In Washington, the state saw 784 large truck accident fatalities. And in both states, the majority of the people who passed away in a truck accident were operating a vehicle that was driving near a large truck.
Common Causes of Truck Accident Injuries
Professional truck drivers often have to endure long hours on the road. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents stem from the fatigue associated with these long trips. Nationally, the most common causes of large truck accidents include:
- Driver exhaustion, which is why there are laws and regulations limiting the amount of hours a truck driver can be on the road in a single trip;
- Distracted driving, which is a common problem regarding all types of vehicular collisions;
- Substance abuse, where the driver was intoxicated due to drugs or alcohol;
- Mechanical problems, which can result from improper maintenance;
- Improper loading, which can lead to accidents from falling objects;
- Road conditions, especially when the government has not maintained the roads properly;
- Speeding, which sometimes occurs because drivers are behind on their scheduled deadlines; and
- Poor driver training, which can result from the negligent or improper preparation of professional truck drivers before they hit the road.
These are just a few of the kinds of situations that lead to large truck accidents on the road.
Common Types of Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents can often lead to serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries from truck accidents in Oregon include those discussed below. These are also some of the most common injuries from truck accidents in Washington State.
Back and Neck Injuries
Your back and neck have lots of small, fragile bones that can be easily injured. If you are involved in a vehicular accident, the impact alone can lead to back and neck injuries. One common neck injury related to car accidents is whiplash, where your head snaps forward but the rest of your body stays in place. Some common symptoms of whiplash include neck and back pain, dizziness, blurred vision, and tiredness.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most concerning in the medical field. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or total paralysis. These injuries are sometimes temporary but can often be permanent. Some of the worst injuries will result in someone needing life-long assistance with their everyday needs like bathing, walking, eating, and sometimes even breathing.
Head and Brain Injuries
Head and brain injuries can range from relatively minor injuries to permanent and disabling ones. Concussions, a relatively minor head injury, may lead to dizziness, nausea and vomiting, headaches, and confusion. However, most concussions resolve on their own without long-term effects. Traumatic head and brain injuries can have permanent effects, and some of the signs of a severe brain injury include bruising, bleeding, torn tissue, and other physical damage.
Burn Injuries
Because large trucks are so heavy, high impacts can cause massive amounts of damage, including ruptured gas tanks. Gas leaks present a high fire risk. If a fire breaks out after a crash, it can cause severe burns to the people involved. Burn injuries are categorized by severity, as first-degree is the least severe, then second-degree, third-degree, and fourth-degree as the most severe.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are generally treatable, but that does not mean that they aren’t painful. Broken bones can also lead to internal damage if the broken bone punctures a vital organ.
Injuries Requiring Amputation
Sometimes, amputation is required after a severe injury. Injuries like burns can lead a medical professional to amputate a portion of the body. Further, if there was a high impact injury during the crash, a crushed limb may also result in amputation.
Seat Belt Injuries
Seat belt injuries, also referred to as seat belt syndrome, can lead to a range of medical problems including bruising, abdominal injuries, and vertebrae fractures. It is important to note that while a seatbelt may cause injuries, wearing a seatbelt is said to reduce the risk of serious or permanent injuries by 50%.
How Can D’Amore Law Group Help?
D’Amore Law Group is made up of experienced Oregon and Washington personal injury lawyers. At D’Amore Law Group, we can assist you in a variety of personal injury matters, ranging from trucking accidents to bike accidents to construction accidents.
At D’Amore Law Group, we work on a contingency basis. This means that you will owe us NO fee unless we win your case. If you would like to read some of our testimonials, you can check out our website to read what customers have said about our representation.
In addition, we provide free case evaluations for every client. So if you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, reach out to us today.
