Internal and Soft Tissue Injuries from Semi-Truck Crashes

Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they are fully loaded. Compare this to the fact that the average passenger car weighs approximately 4,000 pounds, and it is easy to see why people in smaller vehicles sustain such serious injuries during an accident between the two. Broken bones, amputations, and severe burns are some of the most serious injuries sustained during a truck accident. While these injuries are fairly obvious and visible at first, there are other types of injuries people can also suffer.

Internal injuries and soft tissue injuries are also very commonly suffered during a truck accident. However, these injuries are not often visible, and so, they are not as easy to detect. Still, they require immediate medical attention, and accident victims may be able to claim compensation for them afterwards.

What internal injuries are common after a semi-truck accident?

Internal injuries are some of the most serious after a semi-truck accident. They may also take hours, or even days, to appear, but if left untreated, they are often life-threatening. The most common internal injuries after a semi-truck accident are as follows:

• Damage to internal organs: The lungs, kidneys, spleen, and liver are particularly vulnerable to becoming torn or bruised during a serious accident.
• Internal bleeding: When organs or blood vessels are damaged during a semi-truck accident, it can cause internal bleeding, resulting in life-threatening blood loss.
• Punctured lungs: Semi-truck accidents are typically high-impact, which can cause a lung to become punctured. Additionally, broken ribs can also puncture a lung during an accident.
• Trauma to the abdomen: The force of the impact can also damage the bladder, pancreas, and intestines.

What soft tissue injuries are common after a semi-truck accident?

Soft tissue injuries cause damage to the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. These injuries not only cause chronic pain, but they can also seriously restrict mobility. Some of the most common soft tissue injuries after a semi-truck accident include:

• Whiplash: Whiplash is an injury that causes the neck to snap back and forth rapidly, like a whip. This is one of the most common injuries after a semi-truck accident due to the force of impact.
• Strains and sprains: The ligaments can become stretched or torn, resulting in a sprain after a semi-truck accident. The muscles and tendons can also tear or stretch, causing a strain. Strains and sprains are particularly common in the shoulders, neck, and back.
• Bruising: The blunt force trauma caused by a semi-truck accident can also result in the soft tissues becoming severely bruised.
• Herniated discs: The discs in the spinal cord are soft, rubbery cushions that sit between the vertebrae. When a disc slips out of position, it is considered herniated and often requires extensive medical treatment.

Symptoms of soft tissue injuries

Soft tissue injuries have many symptoms after a semi-truck accident. The most common of these are as follows:

• Pain or tenderness, particularly when the area is moved or touched
• Swelling in the affected area
• Bruising
• Stiffness and difficulty moving the affected area
• Restricted motion in the area
• Muscle weakness

Muscle spasms, numbness or tingling, and abnormal sensations such as feelings of cold or hot around the impacted area.

Symptoms of internal injuries

Internal injuries can also cause a significant amount of pain, swelling, and bruising, like soft tissue injuries. There are other symptoms that vary slightly, though. These include:

• Nausea and uncontrollable vomiting, which may produce blood
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting
• Skin changes, such as skin that is pale or sweaty, clammy, or cold
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Blood in bodily fluids such as vomit, stool, or urine

It is important to know that the above symptoms do not always appear right away. For this reason, it is critical to seek immediate medical attention after any accident. It is also important to speak to an Oklahoma truck accident lawyer who can outline your legal options after a crash.

How are soft tissue injuries and internal injuries diagnosed?

A full and accurate diagnosis of soft tissue injuries and internal injuries is critical after any semi-truck accident to protect your well-being and overall health. There are many ways medical professionals can diagnose these injuries, and they include:

• A thorough medical evaluation: The first step in diagnosing soft tissue injuries and internal injuries is a thorough medical evaluation. A doctor will review your medical history and conduct a full physical examination to detect injuries.
• Diagnostic imaging: CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays are just a few types of diagnostic imaging medical professionals will use to detect and diagnose your injuries.
• Consultations with specialists: In some cases, consultations with specialists may be necessary. These specialists may include neurologists, orthopedists, or other medical professionals. These specialists can provide professional opinions on certain types of injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries.

Legal considerations for injury claims

If you were 50 percent or less at fault for the accident, you may be able to file a claim to recover compensation. Before filing a claim, there are many legal factors to consider.

First, it is important to determine who is liable for paying compensation for your injuries. There are many potentially liable parties in any truck accident case, including the truck driver, trucking company, another driver, manufacturers, and government entities. Identifying the liable party is essential so you know which insurance company to file a claim against. When multiple parties are liable, you may be able to file claims with multiple insurance companies, offering you more options for obtaining compensation.

The compensation available after a semi-truck accident varies from case to case. Common types of compensation include your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. It is important to keep all medical invoices and bills, as well as detailed records of your medical appointments, other expenses, and how your injuries have impacted your daily life.

Lastly, it is important to speak to an Oklahoma truck accident lawyer before you speak to any insurance company. A lawyer can speak to the insurance company on your behalf so the insurer does not minimize your claim.

Our truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma can help with your case.

At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma truck accident lawyer can provide the legal advice you need after a crash. Our team can determine if someone else is liable for your injuries and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help with your case.