Common Truck Accident Back Injuries
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), truck accidents involving injuries have increased by 15% since 2016. Truck crashes are generally much more severe than accidents with passenger cars and are more likely to cause devastating injuries. Serious back injuries in truck accidents can include:
Spinal Cord Damage and Paralysis
The spinal cord may get bruised, damaged, or completely severed in a serious truck accident. Significant spinal cord damage is typically irreversible, causing permanent disability and paralysis below the area of injury. Injuries to the upper spinal cord can result in quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down), and damage to the lower spinal cord can cause paraplegia (paralysis of the legs and lower body).
Spinal cord injuries can also cause considerable emotional distress and long-term financial consequences for truck accident victims and their families.
Herniated Discs
The spine is made up of small bones called vertebrae. These bones are separated by discs that act as shock absorbers. When one or more discs suffer damage in a truck accident, they can press on nerves and cause numbness, pain, and weakness in the arms and legs. Individuals with herniated or “slipped” discs may also experience severe lower back pain and numbness.
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), treatment of herniated discs can include steroid injections, physical therapy, and surgery. Herniated discs and the chronic pain often accompanying them can significantly impact a truck accident victim’s life quality.
Fractured Vertebrae
The force of impact in a truck accident can cause fractures of the vertebrae in the spine, which can be excruciatingly painful. Moreover, the spinal cord could be severely damaged if bone fragments enter the spinal canal. Treatment for fractured vertebrae can include surgery and immobilization with a brace.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome can occur when nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord are compressed in a truck accident. The condition can cause various symptoms, including:
- Severe back pain
- Numbness in the legs
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
Cauda equina syndrome requires immediate medical intervention. Emergency surgery may be necessary to prevent permanent damage.
Truck accidents can cause severe and even catastrophic back injuries that can significantly impact your entire life, including your career and family relationships. If you or a loved one has suffered a back injury in a truck accident, seeking medical help and speaking with an experienced truck accident lawyer is critical for protecting your health and legal rights. The Ammons Law Firm can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
Symptoms of Hidden Truck Accident Back Injuries
Back injuries can be deceiving. In the chaotic aftermath of an accident, adrenaline can mask the pain of injuries. Some people walk away from a truck accident thinking they only have minor aches and pains but suffer from a severe underlying condition. Underlying back injuries could cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Pain and stiffness in the back and neck
- Numbness and tingling in arms and legs
- Difficulty sitting or standing for longer periods
- Problems with walking
- Painful muscle spasms
- Reduced range of motion
- Headaches
If you experience any of the above symptoms or others after a truck accident, see a doctor immediately to safeguard your health.
The Long-Term Effects of Severe Back Injuries
Back injuries can have long-term effects on your health and well-being. In severe cases, truck accident injuries can lead to permanent disability, making it impossible for victims to work or perform everyday tasks. Chronic pain and limited mobility can also impact mental health and lead to anxiety, depression, and other issues compromising victims’ life enjoyment.
Don’t pay for someone else’s mistake. The Ammons Law Firm is here to help truck accident victims get justice. Our legal experts can assess your injury’s impact on all aspects of your life, including physical health, mental well-being, and finances, to determine a fair settlement amount and ensure you are not short-changed.
Damages Truck Accident Victims Could Recover
You could be entitled to various damages if you suffered a significant back injury in a truck accident due to another party’s fault. However, since no two truck accident claims are the same, what you could receive will depend on your specific case, the extent of your injuries, and other factors. Here are some damages truck accident victims with back and other injuries could recover:
Medical Expenses
Healthcare costs for truck accident victims can be significant, particularly if they require ongoing medical care. Injured individuals could receive compensation for all medical expenses related to truck accident injuries, including:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Medical devices such as wheelchairs
- Ongoing care
Lost Wages
Severe truck accident back injuries may result in a long recovery, meaning victims cannot return to work for weeks or months. Moreover, some individuals are so badly injured that they can never return to their job or only work in reduced function. As a result, injured victims may lose considerable wages and benefits. Victims are generally entitled to recover compensation for lost wages, including past and future lost earnings.
Pain and Suffering
Truck accident victims with significant injuries could also recover compensation for their pain and suffering, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced life enjoyment.
Permanent Disability
Severe back injuries can result in permanent impairment and disability, changing a victim’s life forever. Injured individuals could recover damages for their disability, including future expected expenses.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are generally rare in personal injury lawsuits. However, victims may receive punitive damages if the responsible party, such as a trucking company or repair shop, acted particularly recklessly in causing the accident.
If you suffer a catastrophic back injury in a truck accident, consult a truck accident attorney promptly. Our lawyers can begin working on your case immediately and gather time-sensitive evidence that could be crucial for proving your claim.
How to Maximize Truck Accident Compensation
After a truck accident, there are various steps you can take to protect your rights and give yourself the best chance of recovering damages, such as:
Seek Medical Assistance Immediately
Your priority after a truck accident should be seeking medical help, especially if you declined medical assistance at the accident scene. Undiagnosed and untreated back injuries can worsen significantly, potentially leading to permanent disability and chronic pain. A doctor can diagnose your injuries and initiate prompt treatment. They can also document your injuries which is vital for a compensation claim.
Follow Your Treatment Plan
Following your treatment plan diligently and attending all doctor’s appointments can be critical for your compensation claim after a truck accident. If you skip appointments or fail to follow your doctor’s orders, the other side may argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.
Consult a Truck Accident Attorney
In most truck accident claims, the at-fault party’s insurance company would be responsible for your damages. However, insurance companies are typically more interested in their bottom line than in compensating you adequately and may delay, reduce, or deny your claim. What’s more, they lawyer up when you try to stand up to them.
This is why you need a tenacious truck accident attorney in your corner who can level the playing field and fight passionately for justice and compensation. We know the tricks insurance companies and at-fault parties play to try and shirk their responsibilities and leave no stone unturned in holding them accountable.
The Ammons Law Firm Wants to Fight for You
A severe truck accident can turn your life upside down in one split second. You may be in pain, unable to work, and worried about your health and financial future. However, you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Our attorneys can represent you in a truck accident lawsuit and fight hard for what you need to regain your life. Contact us now for a free case review to learn about your rights and options.
When you are injured in a truck accident and need help recovering compensation to cover medical expenses and your pain and suffering, we can help you.
