Truck accidents can result in devastating injuries and damages that are often more severe than other accidents. In addition to medical costs and lost wages, truck accident victims may face lengthy rehabilitation requirements.
Here are five ways that truck accident injury cases are more severe than other injury cases.
More severe injuries
Trucks are larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road, so injuries can be much more severe when trucks collide with smaller vehicles.
Truck drivers sit higher off the ground than car drivers, which means they have less visibility and control over their vehicles in certain situations.
The weight of a large truck is also much greater. This means that even a minor accident can cause severe damage to other vehicles or property.
The force of impact from a large truck can cause traumatic injuries. These include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, and other catastrophic injuries.
Also, many truckers transport hazardous and flammable materials such as gasoline. In many ways, this increases the chances of a fire during the accident and the severity of injuries for victims.
Further, truck drivers usually spend long periods on the road. Fatigue and other factors like driving under the influence increase their risk of causing or getting in an accident.
If you sustained injuries in an accident involving DUI truck drivers, experienced drunk driving accident lawyers can help you get fair compensation.
More complex legal cases
Truck accidents may involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, and potentially other third parties. Therefore, truck accident injury cases are often more complex than other injury cases.
This complexity can make navigating the legal process and obtaining fair compensation for the injured party challenging. This is incredibly daunting for those who want to represent themselves.
To collect full compensation, you may need to prove that multiple parties were at fault for your injuries.
You may also need to prove that the trucking company had negligent hiring practices or a poor safety record to show that it was negligent in this case.
This makes hiring an experienced attorney who can handle these cases more important than ever.
Increased likelihood of fatalities
Accidents involving trucks are more likely to result in fatalities than other types of accidents because of the size of these vehicles.
Drivers may be unable to stop their vehicle quickly enough if they’re traveling too fast or if another driver suddenly pulls out in front of them.
According to the Department of Transportation, there were 4,444 fatal crashes involving large trucks in 2020.
There’s an increased risk of fatalities due to a truck accident. Thus, it becomes all the more important for injured victims to receive adequate compensation from their insurance company or at trial if necessary.
Higher economic costs
The severity of the injuries sustained in a truck accident often requires extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, hospital stays, and ongoing care.
Truck accident injuries and medical expenses are usually much higher than other types of injuries. Those who suffer injuries in truck accidents may experience pain and suffer long after the accident itself.
The costs associated with medical treatment, physical therapy, and other treatments can add up quickly. These expenses can put a significant financial strain on the injured party and their family down the line.
People losing their jobs because of truck accident-related injuries can significantly impact their family incomes. Also, these accidents can damage personal property, such as cars and homes.
And funeral services can cost thousands of dollars when truck accidents result in fatalities. This can be expensive for the loved ones of the victims left behind.
Longer recovery times
Following their initial treatment, truck accident victims often must wait longer to recover. The recovery process for truck accident injuries can take much longer than for other injuries. Victims may usually require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
The nature of the injuries also matters. If one suffered broken bones or internal bleeding, their recovery time would likely be longer than someone who only suffered soft tissue damage.
You may also need surgery after being in an accident with a truck. In that case, it may take longer for you to recover from your injuries than it would if you didn’t need surgery.
Skilled lawyer
As the victim of a truck accident, the physical and emotional turmoil you may be experiencing can be overwhelming. While a truck accident may not be able to turn back time and prevent the accident from happening, a skilled personal injury lawyer can ease your financial burdens and help deal with insurance companies.
You’ll get the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your legal rights are being protected. That can make a significant difference in your recovery process.
