When a massive commercial truck collides with your car, the consequences can be devastating. Weighing up to 80,000 pounds, these vehicles generate tremendous force upon impact, often leaving victims with severe, life-altering injuries.
The road to recovery may be long and challenging, requiring substantial medical care, financial resources, and possibly even the help of a Knoxville truck accident lawyer. Here are some of the most common injuries in Tennessee truck accidents.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Truck accidents often cause soft tissue injuries, including whiplash, sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The sudden, violent movement during a collision stretches these tissues beyond their normal range, causing inflammation, pain, and limited mobility.
While some soft tissue injuries heal within weeks, others may cause chronic pain and require extensive physical therapy, medication, or even surgery.
Brain Damage
The extreme force of a truck collision can cause your head to strike objects inside your vehicle or violently jerk back and forth, resulting in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These TBIs range from mild concussions to severe damage affecting cognitive function, memory, emotional regulation, and motor skills.
Even seemingly minor head injuries can have serious long-term consequences, including personality changes, difficulty concentrating, and reduced quality of life.
Broken Bones
The tremendous impact of a truck accident frequently causes fractures throughout the body. Common broken bones include ribs, arms, legs, collarbones, and facial bones. Recovery often involves casts and physical therapy, with some victims experiencing permanent mobility issues or chronic pain. Complex fractures may require surgery with plates, screws, or rods to stabilize the bone during healing.
Chest Injuries
Your chest can absorb significant force during a truck accident, resulting in serious injuries to vital organs and structures. These include broken ribs, punctured lungs, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), bruising on the heart, and internal bleeding. Chest injuries can be life-threatening and often require emergency medical care, extended hospitalization, and careful monitoring during recovery.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A truck can compress, bruise, or sever the spinal cord, leading to painful and life-altering complications. Spinal cord injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis below the injury site, with higher injuries causing more extensive disability. You may require lifelong medical care, adaptive equipment, home modifications, and ongoing therapy to adapt to your new normal and maximize your independence.
Psychological Issues
Beyond physical trauma, truck accidents frequently cause severe psychological effects. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and phobias related to driving or traveling are common. These invisible injuries can be just as debilitating as physical wounds, interfering with your ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy life.
Burn Injuries and Scarring
Truck accidents involving fuel spills or fires can cause severe burns requiring painful treatments like skin grafts. In some cases, these injuries result in permanent scarring. This disfigurement can lead to lasting psychological distress and social challenges. Burn injuries may require multiple surgeries, wound care, and ongoing treatment for both physical and emotional healing.
Seek Justice After a Truck Accident in Tennessee
Truck accident injuries can be catastrophic, leaving you with lasting damage and a painful recovery process. At The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto, we understand the devastating impact these injuries have on your life and family.
Our attorneys have helped countless truck accident victims secure the compensation they deserve. Contact us today at (865) 691-2777 for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can fight for you.