Due to the disparity in size between commercial trucks and standard cars, passengers are more likely to be severely injured in a truck accident.
Impact forces from large trucks lead to many debilitating injuries and fatalities each year, so it’s essential to know how to keep yourself safe on the road. Although there are many different types of injuries, keep reading to learn more about some of the most common ones.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Hundreds of thousands of truck accidents happen each year with about 5,000 resulting in death or serious injury. These accidents are inherently more dangerous and happen for various reasons including:
- Driver fatigue – There is a misconception that driving a truck is an easy job, but it is actually quite taxing. Most drivers are out on the road for 10 to 11 hours each day while trying to maintain appointment times and drive through traffic areas that they are not familiar with. Additionally, they do it all while pulling thousands of pounds of cargo in a trailer. These demanding circumstances often weigh on the driver causing mental and physical fatigue. If drivers do not get the rest that they need, a crash can easily occur.
- Poor training – Some drivers might not receive proper training to drive safely behind the wheel of a truck. When drivers are put into a situation that they are not familiar with or do not have the expertise to handle, accidents can occur.
- Speeding – Loads need to be delivered to clients at specific times. Sometimes, drivers miscalculate the amount of time needed to successfully fulfill a load. In this case, they might make poor driving decisions including speeding and ignoring other laws to make up time. Speeding is a factor in over 25 percent of all motor vehicle crashes.
Keep yourself and others safe on the road by avoiding these common pitfalls.
Common Injuries
Due to the large statures of commercial trucks, injuries from these crashes are characteristically more serious than other accident types.
Some of the most typical injuries that result from truck-related accidents include:
- Whiplash – Whiplash is one of the most common injuries seen after a collision. This is caused when the head and the neck are suddenly snapped forward, damaging and straining the muscles and ligaments. Whiplash can be minor or very severe and can take up to several weeks for it to manifest.
- Burns – Although burns are not usually the first wound that comes to mind, they can be quite common. Trucks emit a lot of heat and often carry flammable products that can cause fires. Burns sustained from a crash can be rather harmful, especially if they are third or fourth degree.
- Spinal injuries – Car collisions can cause the spine to move in directions that they are not used to, resulting in serious damage. Spinal damage is especially troublesome because it can lead to chronic pain, temporary loss of mobility, and even paralysis.
Always see a healthcare professional after an accident and never ignore injury symptoms, regardless of when they arise.
Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Personal Injury Lawyers are Here for You
If you have sustained injuries from a truck accident, Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is proud to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys work to recover all that is legally yours in a personal injury incident and shield you from the drama and stress.
We serve Utah residents and have offices in Provo, Orem, Saratoga Springs, and West Jordan. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.