Semi-trucks are responsible for some of the worst collisions that occur each year. Their intimidating size and weight make them capable of causing absolute vehicle destruction and catastrophic injuries. Their unique design also contributes to the risk of unusual types of crashes.
Semi-trucks can jackknife, leading to crashes that involve multiple other vehicles. They can cause underride collisions if a commercial driver merges into an occupied lane of traffic. Standard collisions that occur due to people making the wrong choices at intersections are also relatively common.
In 2023, 107,636 people riding in smaller vehicles sustained injuries in crashes involving semi-trucks. That’s a much larger number than the 41,733 semi-truck occupants who sustained injuries. What types of significant injuries are commonly caused by semi-truck collisions?
Crush injuries
The damage that a semi-truck causes to a smaller passenger vehicle can produce crush injuries in vehicle occupants. Crush injuries can lead to catastrophic medical consequences, ranging from compartment syndrome to surgical amputation and nerve damage. Crush injuries often require extensive emergency trauma care and may not necessarily lead to a full recovery.
Traumatic brain injuries
Semi-truck collisions can cause people to strike their heads on windows or steering columns during a crash. The violent way the vehicle moves during a collision with a semi-truck could also potentially cause bleeding or inflammation inside the skull. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are responsible for a broad assortment of different symptoms, many of which can cause permanent challenges.
Spinal cord injuries
The force of a collision can pinch, tear or completely sever a person’s spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis or a lifetime of impaired function. People with spinal cord injuries often have increased lifetime medical expenses and reduced long-term earning potential.
Internal bleeding, severe fractures and traumatic amputations are also possible during semi-truck collisions. People with major injuries after a semi-truck crash may struggle to obtain the compensation they deserve.
It can be difficult to negotiate with insurance providers or pursue compensation in the civil courts. Evaluating the circumstances of a semi-truck crash with a skilled legal team can help people determine what sources of compensation they have available and who might ultimately be liable for their injuries.
