The 5 Most Common Truck Accidents Explained (Including Estimated Compensation)

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5 Common Truck Accident Injuries: A Guide for Victims

Commercial truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles. These injuries range from whiplash to more complex spinal cord injuries and TBI. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, a clear grasp of your injuries will help you assess the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With this understanding, you can work with an attorney to pursue fair compensation that reflects the true impact of the accident on your life. More about our truck accident lawyers here.

This guide outlines common injuries sustained in truck accidents, how they occur, their symptoms, and estimated compensation. 

1. Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury that occurs when inertia causes your head, neck, and body to move at different speeds, forcing your neck to compress or extend too quickly. In truck collisions, your vehicle may suddenly accelerate forward while your body remains in place momentarily. When your vehicle stops moving, your head continues forward, then snaps backward. This violent motion stretches neck tissues beyond their normal range. It is common with rear-end truck accidents.

Compensation for whiplash injuries resulting from truck accidents varies depending on the injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, and the impact on daily life. While specific figures for truck accidents are not readily available, general estimates for whiplash settlements can range from 2,000 USD to 50,000 USD or more, depending on individual circumstances.

Common symptoms of whiplash include:

  • Headaches starting at the base of the skull
  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Loss of range of motion in the neck
  • Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back, or arms
  • Tingling or numbness in the arms
  • Fatigue and dizziness

2. Broken Bones

Fractures occur when bones crack or break due to trauma. The tremendous force in truck collisions can break bones through direct impact (striking the dashboard or steering wheel), crushing (vehicle compression), or when occupants are ejected from vehicles. Even properly restrained occupants may suffer fractures due to the extreme forces involved. Bones commonly broken in truck accidents include ribs, arms, legs, collarbones, pelvis, and facial bones. 

Compensation for broken bones from a truck accident can range from 15,114 USD to 195,258 USD or more depending on the severity of the injury, recovery time, and any complications. Victims can pursue both economic damages (such as medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (like pain and suffering). If complications arise, such as improper healing or the need for further treatment, additional compensation may be possible. Evidence supporting the claim can include medical bills, pay stubs, and testimonies about the physical and emotional toll. The more severe the injury and its effects, the higher the potential compensation.

The common symptoms of broken bones include:

  • Intense pain that worsens with movement
  • Swelling and bruising
  • Visible deformity or bone protrusion
  • Limited mobility or inability to move the affected area
  • Grinding sensation when moving (crepitus)
  • In severe cases, bone may pierce the skin (open or compound fracture)

3. Burns

Burns are tissue damage resulting from heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Truck accidents involving hazardous materials, fuel spills, or fires are the most common causes of severe burns. 

Burn injuries are categorized into degrees, each with distinct characteristics and potential compensation ranges:

  • First-Degree Burns: These are minor injuries affecting only the outer skin layer, typically resulting in redness and minor pain. Settlements for first-degree burns are generally modest, often below 10,000 USD.
  • Second-Degree Burns: These burns damage both the outer and underlying skin layers, leading to blisters and more intense pain. Compensation for second-degree burns can range from 20,000 USD to 75,000 USD. You could get more or less depending on the injury’s severity and complications.
  • Third-Degree Burns: These severe burns destroy all skin layers, potentially affecting deeper tissues. Settlements for third-degree burns can be substantial, ranging from 75,000 USD to 500,000 USD or more.
  • Fourth-Degree Burns: The most severe burns, extending beyond the skin to muscles and bones, often resulting in life-threatening conditions. Compensation for fourth-degree burns can be significant, with settlements reaching up to $100 million in some cases.

Burn injuries sustained during commercial truck accidents may result from:

  • Flammable Cargo: Many commercial trucks transport hazardous materials, including flammable liquids or gases. In the event of a collision, these substances may ignite, causing intense fires.
  • Spilled Fuel: Even without the presence of hazardous cargo, the fuel tanks of commercial trucks themselves pose a significant risk. A collision can rupture these tanks, spilling large quantities of diesel fuel that can ignite upon contact with hot engine components, sparks, or other ignition sources.
  • Engine Fires: The intense heat and potential for mechanical damage during a truck accident can also lead to engine fires. These fires can quickly spread to other parts of the vehicle, including the cabin, posing a serious risk of burn injuries to those trapped inside.
  • Friction Burns: While airbags are designed to save lives, the rapid deployment and friction involved can sometimes cause friction burns to the skin. Similarly, contact with rough road surfaces during an accident, especially if ejected from the vehicle, can lead to abrasions and burns.
  • Hot Vehicle Components: In the aftermath of a collision, various components of the truck, such as the engine, exhaust system, or even deformed metal parts, can reach extremely high temperatures. Contact with these hot surfaces can cause severe burns, particularly if the victim is trapped or unable to move away quickly.

4. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Traumatic brain injuries occur when a sudden trauma damages the brain. They range from mild concussions to severe injuries causing long-term disability or death. The forceful impact in truck collisions can cause the brain to collide with the inside of the skull. This can happen even without direct head impact. Penetrating injuries from debris or direct blows to the head are also common in severe truck accidents.

The symptoms of TBI include:

  • Loss of consciousness (from seconds to hours)
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Headache (persistent or worsening)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Speech problems
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
  • Dizziness or loss of balance
  • Sensory problems (blurred vision, ringing in ears, bad taste in mouth)
  • Memory or concentration problems
  • Clear fluids draining from ears or nose (cerebrospinal fluid)

Compensation for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) resulting from truck accidents could range from 100,000 USD to 500,000 USD. In more severe cases, such as those involving permanent disabilities or the need for long-term care, settlements can be higher.

5. Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)

Spinal cord injuries include damage to the vertebrae, spinal cord, or surrounding nerves and tissues. They range from herniated discs to complete spinal cord transection. The tremendous forces in truck collisions can compress, fracture, or dislocate vertebrae. Sudden acceleration/deceleration can herniate discs. In severe cases, the spinal cord itself may be damaged by bone fragments or direct trauma, potentially causing paralysis.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) symptoms depend on the location and severity of the damage. Injuries to the upper spinal cord affect more of the body, potentially causing paralysis in all limbs (tetraplegia or quadriplegia). Injuries lower down the spinal cord may only impact the lower body and legs (paraplegia). Paralysis can occur immediately after the injury (primary damage) or develop over time due to bleeding, swelling, and cell death (secondary damage).

The typical symptoms of a spinal injury include:

  • Numbness, tingling, or changes in sensation in the hands and feet
  • Paralysis or loss of movement
  • Pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back
  • Weakness in any part of the body
  • Unnatural positioning of the spine or head
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • Walking difficulties
  • Breathing problems
  • Changes in sexual function

The settlement for SCI is typically high since treatment costs often exceed $1 million, encompassing expenses like spinal surgery, ventilator use, long-term care, medical equipment, and ongoing medications. In more severe cases, such as those involving permanent disabilities or the need for long-term care, settlements can be millions of dollars. 

Why These Injuries Matter for Your Case

Understanding the full extent of your injuries is crucial when seeking compensation after a truck accident. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but can have long-term consequences.

Proper documentation of all injuries and their connection to the accident strengthens your case and ensures you receive compensation that covers:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Long-term care needs
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Consult with both medical professionals and an experienced truck accident attorney to ensure all your injuries are properly diagnosed, treated, and documented for your legal claim.

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Workers Comp: Non-Subscribers

This Blog was brought to you by the J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP – Accident Injury Lawyer principal office in San Antonio

Nonsubscriber Work Injury Attorney – Personal Injury Lawyers

Injury and Death Claims Against Workers’ Compensation Non Subscribing Employers

About 45% of Texas companies do not participate in the state-run workers’ compensation program. This classification of an employer is called a nonsubscriber. If you have been injured on the job and your employer is a nonsubscriber you will not get automatic compensation as you would if your employer subscribed to workers’ comp. In fact, your rights are quite different. More Information here
This article will explain your rights, the compensation you can receive, and how to successfully pursue that compensation. The nonsubscriber workers’ injury attorneys of our firm have been winning these cases for over 20 years. Please feel free to contact us to further discuss your work-related accident.

Where Do Nonsubscriber Laws Come From?

Technically, there is no such thing as nonsubscribers’ work injury law. The way it works is that our legislator has passed very specific laws regarding the rights of an injured worker whose employer does subscribe to workers’ compensation and these laws are codified in the Texas labor code. When the employer opts out of this system there is no hard and fast set of rules that says an employer can do X, Y, and Z; instead, your rights are derived from the common law. As such, your rights mirror the natural rights that a plaintiff would typically have in any other personal injury case.

What Is So Different About Nonsubscriber Cases?

The primary difference between nonsubscriber and workers’ comp cases is that in a nonsubscriber case you typically have to litigate against the employer in order to force them to accept responsibility and force them to pay you. Whereas in a workers’ compensation case there is the presumption that the employer is inherently liable and the benefits you get are automatic.

Is My Employer Inherently Liable?

No. Since a nonsubscriber work injury case is based on common law principles, you are required to prove that your employer was negligent in some fashion. If you cannot prove that the employer was negligent then you simply do not have a valid claim. In other words, just because you were injured on the job does not mean your employer was responsible in a nonsubscriber case. You must prove they caused your injury directly or indirectly.

How Much is My Case Worth?

Again, in a nonsubscriber case, you can sue your employer for all your damages, rather than receive just the paltry benefits that someone who has a workers’ compensation case is eligible to receive. To determine the value of your case you must simply add up all of your individual damages and weigh that against known jury verdicts. Damages that are compensable in a nonsubscriber case are:

Loss of earning capacity
Impairment
Both future and past medical expenses
Compensation for suffering

Juries are not particularly biased against plaintiffs. So in most nonsubscriber work injury cases, we can typically recover the entirety of your damages because a jury is likely to award the entirety of your damages. (On the contrary, in certain parts of Texas, even if you win your case, a jury will pay you less money than what your case is worth.)

More Great Law Blogs Here:

https://www.gultanoff.com/workplace-accident-injuries-fatal-forklift-accidents/
https://www.jlezman.com/advocating-for-injured-workers/
https://www.michiganlawattorney.com/champions-for-injured-workers/
https://www.griffithlaw.net/lawyers-specializing-in-workplace-accidents/
https://www.leslie-gladstone.com/a-guide-to-workplace-injury-lawyers/
https://www.dirfirm.com/workplace-accidents-the-safety-net-you-deserve/
https://www.kimpersonalinjury.com/why-you-need-work-related-injury-attorneys/
https://www.mcdowellforster.com/navigating-injuries-with-lawyers-specializing-in-workplace-accidents/
https://www.jividen-wehnert.com/workplace-injury-lawyers/
https://www.daytonlitigators.com/when-work-turns-risky-finding-workplace-accident-legal-help/
https://www.enniscoleman.com/blindsided-by-a-workplace-injury/
https://www.sandrajpeake.com/the-importance-of-workplace-injury-legal-representation/

Spinal Column Injuries FAQ – Personal Injury Law

Spinal Column Injuries FAQ – Part 1

Spinal column injuries can be devastating. Not only can they last for the rest of the injured person’s life, but they can alter that life in any number of ways. Anyone who suffers a spinal column injury needs to speak with an attorney right away. Recovering your medical bills, receiving compensation for lost wages, as well as seeking payments for pain and suffering, are all issues that require legal advice.

It’s also a good idea to educate yourself about some common spinal column injury issues. Many of these issues surround medical or legal concepts that most people have little experience with. To help you get a better grasp of these concepts, let’s take a look at some frequently asked spinal column injury questions.personal injury law

What is the spine?

Many people refer to the spine as the backbone. It’s the collection of bones that runs from your head down your back. The spinal column, or spine, includes both the collection of bones, as well as the bundle of nerves, tissues, and other body parts that are connected to them.

What does the spine do?

The spine does several things, but it is primarily responsible for protecting the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the collection of nerves that extends from the base of your skull to the lower body. The spinal bones, or vertebrae, are hollow, and the spinal cord passes through them. It can be helpful to think of the spinal cord as similar to the copper wire in an electrical cord, and the vertebrae as the rubber or plastic covering that protects it.

The spinal cord itself (the nerves) plays a vital role in human anatomy. Together with the brain, the spinal cord is part of the central nervous system. This system conveys messages between your brain and other parts of your body. For example, the spinal cord’s nerves extend to your extremities and allow you to control your muscles. The spinal cord nerves tell you when you are experiencing heat or cold, when you’ve been injured, and even allow you to regulate unconscious bodily functions, such as digestion and heart rate.

What is a spinal column injury?

A spinal column injury is any damage caused to the spinal column. There are many kinds of spinal column injuries, each of which can range in severity and symptoms, and each of which can be caused by a number of different factors.

For example, some minor spinal cord injuries can arise as a natural result of the aging process. Many elderly people experience spinal cord injuries as a result of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. These injuries can lead to periodic or extended bouts of pain or discomfort.accident injury attorneys

On the other hand, more serious spinal column injuries can be life-altering. For example, someone injured in an automobile accident can suffer a spinal column injury that results in permanent damage to the spinal cord. More serious spinal column injuries can result in permanent disability and even death.

Spinal injuries are a serious concern. If you, or a loved one, have experienced a spinal injury due to negligence, it is in your best interest to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.