3 Major Traumas Witnessed By The Average Truck Accident Attorney

Pitting a car against a semi is like a mouse fighting an elephant, and there is a big difference between your average collision and one that involves a truck. An accident attorney is well aware that dealing with one of these misfortunes often involves serious medical issues. Injuries and fatalities are common and the latter is estimated at about 13 percent of collision-related deaths. Injuries sustained in a collision can alter your entire life and completely derail your future. Not only are you at risk, but your family and loved ones may have to deal with the consequences as well. A truck accident attorney most commonly witnesses the following injuries suffered after a collision.

Whiplash

A common complaint following a collision is whiplash, which is when the head snaps back and forth roughly during the impact. Normally this is most prevalent in rear-endings, but can happen at any impact point. More damage is likely if the head is turned to one side when whiplash occurs. In most cases, the neck and head will be sore for a few days and a bit of bed rest and over-the-counter medicine can control any discomfort. However, just because it seems mild at first isn’t reason to skip the doctor. Any truck accident attorney will tell you that small cases of whiplash can turn into painful, lifelong spinal disc problems or tension headaches. Significant soreness or stiffness should not be taken lightly.

Spinal Cord Damage

Back pain following a collision can be a sign of much more severe problems, including injury to the spinal cord. While it may not be noticeable at first, a damaged disc or pinched nerve can cause much pain in the future as well as lead to development of other physical dysfunctions. Paralysis, permanent numbness, muscle spasms, and infection are all potential risks. The pain can last a lifetime and you may require multiple surgeries just to maintain minimal function and comfort levels. Assessing long-term medical issues is imperative, which makes hiring a skilled truck accident attorney all the more important.

Broken and Fractured Bones

Pain and suffering aren’t the only problems you’ll have to worry about if you break or fracture a bone, but you’ll have to miss work and possibly even lose valuable income if you are self-employed or have few benefits. Sometimes a bone may not heal properly and will require multiple surgeries of medical pins in order to stabilize it. In these cases, rehabilitation and physical therapy is often required in order to return movement to normal, if possible. A Truck accident attorney can ensure that if you choose to go to court on a claim, you will be compensated for not only the injury, but for any loss of wages or business that are a direct result of your condition.

In most incidences, the driver is only partly responsible, which is why it is important to hire a professional truck accident attorney. The employer of the driver often has responsibility to bear as well and can be pursued for a settlement if they failed to meet certain standards or follow state-mandated regulations.