The weight, length, and size of commercial vehicles can make crashes with regular passenger cars severe. The immense force of impact often leads to catastrophic and life-altering injuries, increasing the likelihood of permanent disabilities.
If you were in a crash due to someone else’s recklessness, you have legal options for holding them financially accountable. Call an experienced truck wreck attorney at the Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs to learn more about common truck accident injuries in Memphis and about your rights after a crash.
Typical Injuries
Some of the typical injuries from collisions involving large 18-wheelers are listed below.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries, often called TBIs, may range from mild concussions to severe and debilitating brain damage. They can occur when the forceful impact of a crash causes the brain to violently strike the skull, resulting in bleeding, bruising, or damage to the brain tissue.
TBIs can also happen when flying objects pierce the skull and reach the brain. Examples of symptoms include headaches, dizziness, cognitive impairment, and changes in mood or behavior. They can require long-term medical care, and victims may lose the ability to work.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries may happen if the force of the 18-wheeler accident causes trauma to the spine or surrounding tissue. Examples of injuries include fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, and complete or partial severing of the spinal cord, which can lead to disabilities like long-term or permanent mobility issues and loss of ability to use limbs or parts of the body.
Broken Bones
Fractures and broken bones may result from the immense force of the tractor-trailer colliding with the other vehicle. Victims may suffer multiple bone fractures, such as to the ribs, or severe breaks in various parts of the body, such as arms, legs, or pelvis.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
Internal injuries and bleeding can be hazardous because they may not be immediately apparent. The sudden impact can lead to severe damage to the body’s organs, including the kidneys, lungs, spleen, or liver, and internal bleeding, which can be deadly if the individual does not seek prompt medical care.
Other Severe Truck Crash Injuries
Some additional examples of the standard disabilities resulting from Memphis semi-truck wrecks include the following:
- Severe neck injuries, such as whiplash, can occur if the impact causes an individual’s neck to violently jolt back and forth, straining the ligaments and muscles
- Soft tissue injuries in other parts of the body, such as sprained or strained ankles or wrists
- If the collision involves a truck transporting hazardous material or fuel, fires or explosions may occur, leaving those involved with severe burn injuries
- Back injuries from sudden, awkward movement or twisting during impact
- Traumatic amputations from crush injuries caused by limbs getting caught between objects
- Deep cuts, lacerations, and abrasions
Severe injuries like these are not only devastating, but also expensive. It is crucial to work with an experienced legal team to ensure that proper compensation is obtained after a wreck.
Emotional Distress and Psychological Injuries
In addition to common catastrophic physical injuries, tractor-trailer crashes in Memphis can also cause lasting mental, emotional, and psychological trauma. Individuals may experience mental distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other mental health struggles that have a substantial impact on their lives, requiring extensive counseling or therapy. A lawyer can work to ensure that these costs are accounted for in a lawsuit.
Injured In a Truck Accident? Speak with a Memphis Attorney About Your Case
You deserve fair and prompt compensation after a truck wreck. We are here to help.
Contact the Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs to schedule a free consultation to review your case. We can answer questions about common truck accident injuries in Memphis and about your legal options.