Types of Tractor Trailer Accident Injuries

May 9, 2023 | By Colombo Law

Through our many years of representing accident victims, the most serious injuries we see are often caused by tractor trailers. The reason is clear. While a typical passenger vehicle weighs around 3,000 pounds, a fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.

Not only does this mean that truck accident injuries can be serious, but the injuries are usually sustained by drivers and passengers of other vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, for truck accident victims, this means extensive and expensive medical treatment that may take many years – if indeed a victim ever fully recovers.

This is why we pursue maximum compensation in trucking accident cases, such as the $18.25 million settlement we reached for a West Virginia woman who sustained serious brain, spinal, and bone injuries requiring substantial treatment and continuous care. This accident is a prime example of how the negligence of truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties can upend an individual’s life.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in West Virginia, Colombo Law is here to help. Our truck accident lawyers provide a FREE, no-obligation case review to help you understand your situation and discuss your options. Please call (304) 599-4229 today to get started.

Brain Injuries

Motor vehicle accidents are a major cause of brain injuries, with trauma to the head a major risk in collisions involving semi trucks. TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) can cause short- and long-term damage, requiring continuous care and treatment from medical professionals.

We have handled numerous cases on behalf of clients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence.

Spinal Cord Injuries

When impacts with trucks occur at high speeds, the sudden, intense movement can cause extreme trauma to the spinal cord. When this happens, some accident victims face multiple surgeries and lengthy recovery times. The injury may even result in paralysis.

Unfortunately, this happened to a client of ours who was involved in an accident when a truck driver slammed into the rear of his vehicle at a stoplight. The evidence showed that the truck driver had been texting and driving while operating the vehicle, leading to the accident and our client’s subsequent injuries. Ultimately, this resulted in a $5.5 million settlement, which was the insurance policy limit of the trucking company.

Disc Injuries in the Neck and Back

Like spinal cord injuries, disc injuries in the neck and back can be caused by the sudden, forceful impact of an 18-wheeler. While this type of injury can clear up on its own in a matter of days or weeks, it can also lead to long-term challenges that require ongoing treatment and result in a loss of enjoyment of life. However, due to the invisible nature of these injuries, they are sometimes viewed by insurance companies as “cash grabs.”

In fact, one of our clients with a serious injury was given a lowball settlement by an insurance company that put serious pressure on our client to settle out of court. However, when we took the case to trial, we won four times more than the amount the insurance company offered.

Fractures

Fractures, like all injuries, can vary significantly in their severity. A broken arm or leg is serious, painful, and costly to treat. However, with complex fractures, accident victims may need to undergo multiple surgeries and extended hospital stays.

In one instance, a client of ours was T-boned by a water tanker truck, causing fractures to his facial bones, which required multiple surgeries, on top of dealing with a TBI. However, we did succeed in the case, which resulted in a $2 million settlement.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries, like whiplash, can be more complicated because they aren’t visible like a broken bone. In fact, someone with an internal injury may not even be aware of it, especially right after an accident while their adrenaline masks their pain.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t make internal injuries any less dangerous. In fact, these types of injuries – especially when they aren’t immediately addressed – can be some of the most serious accidents you can sustain in a truck accident.

This is why it’s so important to seek medical attention after a truck accident, even if you feel fine.

Burns

Many large trucks carry flammable cargo that can erupt after an impact with another vehicle, leading to serious burns. Also, in the case of tanker trucks, a puncture in the tanker can cause steam that may also result in serious injuries.

Burns can be some of the most painful injuries to sustain, and some of the most complicated. They can lead to infections and often require skin grafts, debridement procedures, extended hospital stays, and ongoing pain management treatment.

Contact Our Tractor Trailer Accident Injury Lawyers Today

Regardless of the injuries sustained in a tractor trailer truck accident, one thing remains true – truck drivers, trucking companies, and the insurance companies that represent them must be held accountable to pay for their mistakes. At Colombo Law, we have successfully represented many truck accident victims. We are here to fight for your rights.

Please call (304) 599-4229 or contact Colombo Law online for your FREE case review. Our experienced truck accident lawyers serve clients in Morgantown and the surrounding communities throughout West Virginia.