Dealing with Catastrophic Injuries from Truck Accidents

Catastrophic injuries can cause permanent health problems and financial difficulties. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic truck accident injury, call Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks at (801) 500-4000 for reliable representation.

Most of us never expect to be in a terrible crash with a big commercial truck. But these accidents do happen, and they can cause serious injuries that turn your life upside down.

You could end up in the hospital with severe injuries, facing expensive medical bills, or unable to go back to work. The long and uncertain road to recovery can leave you feeling lost, wondering how you’ll ever get your life back on track.

Truck accidents are often some of the most dangerous, leading to brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or even amputations. You may worry about how to afford the medical care you need or if you can hold the responsible party accountable. That’s where Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks can help. Our attorneys, including Sierra Taylor and Mark Flickinger, have extensive knowledge of personal injury law in Utah, and we know how to make sure you get treated fairly.

Our law firm has handled many serious cases, winning major settlements for personal injury victims in Utah, including a 9-figure settlement. In this article, we’ll explain the types of serious injuries caused by truck accidents, how to manage medical costs, and what steps you can take to get the help and compensation you need to move forward.

Common Severe Injuries in Truck Accidents

When a truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the sheer weight and impact often lead to injuries more severe than those seen in regular car crashes. Three of the most devastating categories include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Large commercial trucks can cause intense force on impact, causing your head to shake violently or causing direct blows to the skull. Such force can tear or bruise brain tissue, leading to effects that range from persistent headaches to memory loss, cognitive challenges, or even coma. Because the brain manages so many bodily functions, a traumatic brain injury may require years of therapy.

Spinal Injuries

A powerful collision can compress or fracture vertebrae, damaging the spinal cord. Some victims lose partial or full use of their limbs, leading to paralysis or chronic pain.

Beyond mobility issues, spinal harm can affect organ function and daily tasks like dressing or bathing. Rehabilitation might involve extensive physical therapy or adapted equipment.

Amputations and Crushed Limbs

If part of the body is trapped under wreckage or crushed by intense pressure, a limb might be irreparably damaged, leading to a partial or total amputation.

Adjusting to life after losing an arm or leg can be very challenging. People often need prosthetic limbs and must cope with big emotional changes. Some learn to live independently again, but the shock and lifestyle changes can be overwhelming.

Long-Term Medical Care and Rehabilitation Costs

Getting hurt in a truck crash can change your life in big ways. The journey to recovery isn’t just about the ambulance ride or an emergency surgery, it can take months or even years. The costs can add up fast.

Long Hospital Stays

Some injuries, like brain trauma or major spine damage, require staying in the hospital for a long time.

You might need special care, expensive tests, and visits from doctors like brain or bone specialists. The bills pile up quickly, and even with insurance, you might still owe a lot.

Ongoing Therapy

Many survivors need months or years of physical therapy or occupational therapy to improve mobility or learn new ways to live.

For example, if your spine is injured and you need a wheelchair, rehab specialists help you adjust. These therapy sessions must occur on a regular basis and can cost tens of thousands of dollars over time.

Special Equipment

If you lose a limb or can’t move like before, you might need a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or changes to your home, like ramps or wider doorways. A high-tech prosthetic limb can be very expensive and may need replacing later.

Medications and Doctor Visits

Pain relief often requires prescription medicine, therapy, or special treatments. You may also need regular checkups or even more surgeries. Every visit and prescription adds to your expenses.

If you’re seeking a legal settlement, it’s important to think ahead. The money should cover not just your initial hospital bills, but also future rehab, possible surgeries, and replacements for medical equipment. Having enough financial support can reduce stress and help you live as well as possible despite your injuries.

How to Calculate Future Damages in a Truck Accident Case

If you get hurt in a truck accident and need years of medical care or end up with a permanent disability, your compensation should cover your future medical care as well as your current needs. You need to think about the future to make sure you don’t run out of money while still recovering.

Medical Costs

First, figure out what kind of medical care you’ll need in the future. Will you need more surgeries, physical therapy, or medical devices? If you have a serious injury, like a spinal cord injury, you might need home care or special equipment.

A lawyer can work with doctors to estimate how long your treatment will last and what it will cost.

Job and Income Loss

A major injury can make it harder, or even impossible, to work. You may have to cut back on hours, change jobs, or stop working completely.

To figure out how much money you’ll lose, experts look at your age, job, and how much you would have earned if you hadn’t been injured. If you’re young or have a growing career, the difference in income could be very large.

Everyday Living Costs

Serious injuries can change your daily routine. You might need to pay for home care or make changes to your house, like adding ramps or widening doorways for a wheelchair. These costs should be included in your compensation so you don’t have to pay for them yourself.

Pain and Suffering

Injuries don’t just cost money, they can also affect your happiness and quality of life. For example, a spinal injury might keep you from doing activities you love or spending time with family the way you used to.

Courts and insurance companies look at medical records, psychological evaluations, and personal statements to decide how much compensation you should get for these hardships.

Getting the Right Help

Having the right experts on your side is important. Doctors can explain your medical needs, financial experts can calculate your lost income, and life-care planners can estimate the cost of home modifications and other needs.

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we work with these experts to help truck accident victims in West Valley City get the full compensation they deserve.

Negotiating with Insurance

When your West Valley City truck accident lawyer presents carefully documented projections of future medical bills and wage losses, insurance representatives understand the seriousness of your claim. They may still attempt to minimize the extent of the injury, but emaining firm and prepared to litigate, if necessary, often leads to a higher settlement that accounts for the real trajectory of your recovery.

With a precise method for calculating future damages, you keep the focus on the long term ramifications of your injury. That means you can seek an award capable of covering not just immediate concerns but also the uncertain years ahead.

How Our Firm Helps Clients Secure Maximum Compensation

Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks recognizes that catastrophic injuries from truck accidents can feel overwhelming. Our role is to streamline the legal process, protect your rights, and aim for the full financial recovery that reflects the seriousness of your harm. Below are ways we guide you toward an optimal result.

Personalized Consultations

From your first visit, we listen carefully to how the accident occurred, what injuries you face, and your top concerns, like paying mounting bills or adjusting to major lifestyle changes. By understanding your unique story and medical progress, we build a plan that addresses all of your needs, both immediate and future.

Thorough Investigation

We collect every piece of evidence, from police reports to any black box data from the commercial truck. If there is suspicion about company practices, we demand maintenance records or driver logs.

We also talk with medical providers about your diagnosis and the path forward. This approach ensures we have the facts ready to counter any insurance attempts to undervalue your claim.

Collaborating with Experts

When catastrophic harm is involved, we frequently bring in medical experts who explain the extent of your injuries and how these injuries might evolve over time. Financial or vocational specialists show how your permanent disability affects your career potential.

These professionals paint a realistic picture of the settlement amount required to keep you financially stable in the long term. Their insights also help confirm that you did not contribute to the collision beyond normal driving activities.

Negotiating with Tenacity

Insurance companies might offer quick payouts that are not enough for your needs. Our attorneys do not jump at low offers. Instead, we use the robust evidence compiled to negotiate from a position of strength.

The adjuster realizes that ignoring your actual needs or dismissing your claim can lead to costly litigation. When it comes to litigation, we have Kevin K. Robson on our team, who is an expert in personal injury litigation.

Court Representation if Necessary

If the other side refuses to cooperate and their offer is too low, we get ready for trial. This means clearly telling your story, using expert witnesses and strong evidence to show the full impact of your injury. A solid trial plan can also pressure the other side to come back with a better offer.

Compassionate Guidance

Throughout your legal journey, we will alway keep you updated. We understand that catastrophic injuries carry emotional consequences, too. Our aim is not to add pressure but to relieve it, so you can concentrate on healing or meeting physical challenges while we handle negotiations, paperwork, or court steps.

Contact a West Valley City Truck Accident Lawyer

If a catastrophic injury from a truck accident has disrupted your life, legal help is just a phone call away. Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks provides understanding counsel and assertive representation, striving to make sure you get compensated for every cost tied to your recovery, from ongoing treatments to lost earning capacity. Call (801) 500-4000 to schedule a free consultation.

We will discuss your situation, explore potential claims, and assemble the evidence needed for a fair settlement. Let us handle the insurance battles and legal complexities while you focus on healing and safeguarding your family’s future.