Whenever an 80,000-pound commercial truck collides with a passenger car, the results are devastating, leading to life-changing injuries. People are suddenly faced with years of painful surgeries and other types of medical treatments, as well as grueling physical therapy. Even then, they’ll very likely never be able to return to normal. Through no fault of their own, injury victims have to ensure unimaginable suffering.
If this has happened to you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation from those responsible for the accident. The truck injury attorneys with Penn Kestner & McEwen have handled these types of cases for years, and we have a long track record of success. We will take care of every aspect of your case while you recover physically from the terrible harm you’ve experienced.
Please get in touch with our law firm as soon as you can to learn more about how we may be able to help. Schedule a free consultation by giving us a call at (800) 732-3070 or contacting us online.
Here’s a look at just a few of the injuries caused by truck accidents, as well as information on how an attorney could help you get the money you deserve.
Head and Brain Injuries
Commercial truck accidents will often leave victims with permanent traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). A TBI occurs when a victim’s head strikes a hard surface with such force that it damages brain tissue. Not only can it affect a victim’s memory, but also their attention span – and even their ability to communicate.
TBI victims not only experience cognitive issues, but, in many instances, emotional issues as well. Living with this injury can be incredibly frustrating, resulting in an inability to control emotions. Victims can suddenly become upset, or even angry, because they find it nearly impossible to perform even the simplest everyday tasks.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Many truck drivers are unqualified to handle these huge machines, leading to horrific consequences, such as back and spinal cord injuries. Victims can see their quality of life disappear in mere seconds. Some may even have to spend the rest of their lives in wheelchairs or in a bed.
Not only can victims suffer paralysis, they may also be subjected to jolts of intense pain due to the extensive nerve damage they’ve experienced. For those who aren’t paralyzed, severe back injuries can also lead to years of debilitation.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Even though there are strict federal regulations in place designed to ensure truck drivers are always safe behind the wheel, they violate these rules on a regular basis. Some will even go so far as to drive under the influence of powerful drugs. When this happens, they can cause accidents that lead to shattered bones that are sometimes impossible to fully repair.
Any time a limb twists in an unnatural position due to the impact of a trucking accident, it is likely to break. Broken legs and arms can take months to heal, forcing victims to miss work for extended periods of time. Skull fractures can also occur, which will often require immediate surgery.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Truck driver negligence can also result in serious soft tissue injuries, such as torn tendons, ligaments and muscles. In some cases, blunt force trauma can be so severe that it can lead to internal damage. That damage can be fatal if not treated as quickly as possible.
Many soft tissue injuries will eventually heal completely, allowing the victim to return to their normal life. Unfortunately, many of them don’t. They turn into chronic problems that can lead to a lifetime of pain, as well as years of limited mobility.
Burns
When a truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the accident can sometimes result in a fire that can leave permanently disfigured. But burns are far more than cosmetic – they often result in victims suffering agonizing pain. Burns can destroy multiple layers of skin, requiring incredibly painful grafts and other forms of treatment.
A burn victim may be able to regain something close to normal physical function. However, they can be emotionally traumatized by the permanent change to their appearance. This can make them feel self-conscious to the point where they eventually suffer from depression.
Wrongful Death
Tragically, negligent truck driver behavior can also needlessly cost lives. A driver who is rushing to make a deadline will often go well above the speed limit. When that truck smashes into a car because the trucker can’t react in time to avoid a collision, the consequences can be fatal.
The difference in size between a truck and a passenger vehicle can’t be overstated. Trucks can weigh as much as 30 times more than the typical car. As a result, commercial truck accidents are far more severe – and, unfortunately, sometimes impossible to survive.
Contact Penn Kestner & McEwen Today for a Free Case Evaluation
A truck accident case can be extremely complex – and impossible to win for someone who doesn’t have legal representation. Quite simply, if you want to have the best possible chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve, you’re going to need to hire a skilled, experienced truck accident attorney.
Not only do you need a lawyer, you’ll also need to talk to one as soon as possible. The reason is that your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident. The sooner that investigation takes place, the better the chances your lawyer will be able to uncover critical evidence. This evidence will reveal why the accident occurred, as well as who was responsible.
But if you wait too long to speak with an attorney, that evidence could be lost forever due to changing weather conditions, road construction and other factors. Don’t let this happen to you. Talk to the attorneys with Penn Kestner & McEwen to learn more about how we may be of assistance. You can give us a call at (800) 732-3070 to schedule a free case review, or you can use our online contact form.