Common Injuries Related to Large Truck Accidents

We’ve all done it, I know I have. The guy in the big-rig in front of you is an idiot for going so slow and the fellow driving the tripped-out semi behind you is a jerk. If you’re like me, in those instances I tend to get a wee bit edgy thinking about the fact I may end up as sandwich spread in a large truck accident.

When I think about it, I have to stop and realize that of all the automobile accidents that occur annually, large truck accidents cause the most fatalities. Every year thousands of trucking fatalities occur--people are killed and hundreds of thousands more are injured as the result of large truck accidents. The financial repercussions for fatal traffic truck accidents exceed $20 billion a year; $8.7 billion in productivity losses; $2.5 billion in resource costs, and quality of life losses are estimated at $13.1 billion. A truck is considered a large truck if its gross vehicle weight exceeds 10,000 pounds.

When you have a run-in with a large truck, everything grows to Texas size. Injuries related to large truck collisions and accidents are different that when two cars collide. One out of nine large truck injuries turns into a fatality. Since large semi’s and trucks are heavier, the rear end collision with a car produces different types of damage and injuries. Many times mirrors will be knocked loose and literally fly into the back seat injuring the back seat passenger.  Known as the “crumpling effect”, the trunk can easily be crumpled into something the looks like an accordion. When that happens, metal can be pushed through the seat spearing anyone in the car. In older cars, this may also result in passenger burns if the gas tank catches fire.

In a side impact scenario with a car, the large truck will always win. Broken bones and broken and dislocated ribs are some of the more common injuries in this type of accident. If the driver and other occupants of the damaged car are not buckled in, there have been cases of occupants literally being thrown from the car after a side impact with a large truck.

Your best case scenario if involved in an accident with a large truck is a “nose to nose” collision. The engine and chassis of the newer cars are designed with this possibility in mind. Head injuries are common in this scenario as are neck and spinal cord injuries. Cuts and contusions are more likely in this type of large truck accident.

If you are involved in any type vehicle or accident involving a large truck, please take time to talk to a car accident lawyer or  truck accident attorney in Denver of your choice to make sure you know all your options.