Common Truck Accident Injuries

Accidents involving larger trucks often result in severe injuries for those inside smaller passenger vehicles. The sheer size and weight of these larger trucks compound the overall severity of the crash. Here, our truck accident attorneys want to describe some of the most common injuries involved in truck accident claims throughout the Seattle area. Anytime an individual sustains an injury caused by the negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company, they should be able to recover compensation for their losses.

Truck Crashes and the Severe Injuries

Data from the Federal Highway Administration indicates that commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded with cargo. Additionally, these vehicles can reach lengths of 65 to 75 feet. When we compare the size and weight of commercial trucks with that of smaller personal cars, we can see a massive discrepancy. Accidents between these two types of vehicles often result in severe injuries and massive property damage for the smaller vehicle.

Information from the Washington Department of Transportation shows that there were 5,053 total collisions involving heavy trucks on Washington roadways during the latest reporting year. Out of these incidents, there were:

  • 42 fatal crashes
  • 102 suspected serious injury collisions
  • 405 suspected minor injury collisions
  • 675 collisions with possible injuries

Just like traditional vehicle accidents involving regular cars, accidents involving large commercial trucks can result in a wide range of injuries. However, it is much more likely that the injuries in these collisions will be more severe. 

Some of the most common types of injuries that individuals sustain as a result of a commercial truck versus traditional vehicle collision include the following:

  • Spinal cord injuries with paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Broken or dislocated bones
  • Internal bleeding or internal organ damage
  • Crush injuries
  • Amputations
  • Severe lacerations
  • Significant scarring and disfigurement

One major factor involved in the severity of these injuries is the fact that larger commercial trucks sit higher off the roadway than smaller vehicles. This often leads to something called “underride” accidents where a smaller vehicle slides underneath the larger truck. This can result in a shearing off or crushing of the top of the smaller vehicle, leading to significant danger for those inside.

In addition to the traumatic injuries we mentioned above, we also have to acknowledge that victims of truck accidents are likely to sustain significant emotional and psychological trauma. This can include long-lasting feelings of stress, anxiety, fear, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We acknowledge these injuries because individuals should be able to recover compensation for the visible trauma that they sustain as well as this unseen, yet very real, internal emotional and psychological trauma.

Working With a Lawyer to Secure Compensation

If you or somebody you love has been injured in an accident caused by the actions of a truck company or truck driver, you need to work with an attorney as soon as possible. A Seattle car accident lawyer can use their resources to investigate every aspect of a truck crash that occurs on Washington roadways. This will include gathering all evidence needed to prove liability, negotiating with aggressive insurance carriers, and working to secure full compensation for their client.