Why Truck Accidents Often Result in Catastrophic Injuries

Truck accidents are less common than other types of vehicle accidents, but when they occur, their impact can be felt for miles. Whether a truck crashes into a stationary object or another vehicle, it’s not uncommon for the road to be shut down for hours or days. And then, of course, there’s the human cost of these accidents. Catastrophic injuries are far more common in truck accidents than in other types of collisions, and a number of factors contribute to that.

Have you been injured in a truck accident in Oklahoma? You could be entitled to compensation. Learn more about your legal options now by calling Cunningham & Mears today.

The physics behind truck accidents

If you delve into the physics of a truck accident a little bit, the connection to catastrophic injuries makes sense. When it’s fully loaded, a tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. In comparison, a standard passenger vehicle usually weighs no more than 4,000 pounds. When two vehicles with such significant size differences are involved in a crash, the smaller vehicle will almost always bear the brunt of the collision. At that point, even at low-speeds—the smaller vehicle could be totaled.

A moving truck’s momentum is affected by its mass (or weight). In layman’s terms, this means that a heavier vehicle takes much longer to slow down and come to a complete stop than a smaller vehicle. This is dangerous when an unexpected obstacle or slowdown in traffic occurs—even if a truck driver begins slowing down the moment they notice a potential issue, there’s a very real possibility that they will not be able to stop in time.

Vehicle dynamics and accident severity

Commercial trucks are not built for quick lane changes or agile driving like smaller vehicles. Their primary design purpose is efficient cargo transport, though they are subject to rigorous safety standards. This means that some of the design features found on nearly every tractor-trailer may increase the risk of serious issues or dangerous collisions:

• Rollover accidents: A truck’s center of gravity is naturally much higher than a smaller vehicle’s center of gravity. As a result, a truck is much more sensitive to changes in direction and external pressure than other vehicles. When cargo shifts or a driver turns too quickly, the sudden imbalance can cause a rollover accident.
• Jackknife accidents: A truck carries the vast majority of its weight in its trailer. When a driver turns too quickly, hits slick spots on the road, or brakes quickly, the trailer can swing out from the tractor and form a 90-degree angle. When this occurs, the truck spins out of control, often moving across multiple lanes of traffic and hitting other vehicles.
• Cargo loss: Improperly secured cargo or overloaded cargo is constantly at risk of shifting and, in some cases, being expelled from the vehicle. This obviously puts everyone else on the road in serious danger.
• Underride collisions: Underride accidents are often fatal. They occur when a smaller vehicle gets wedged under the side or back of a truck. While many trucks now have back underride guards (and a growing number also have side underride guards), there are still thousands of trucks on the road without these safeguards.

Common types of severe injuries

When someone in a smaller vehicle is hit by a tractor-trailer, they are at risk of catastrophic or even fatal injuries. Some commonly reported severe injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries: The blunt force trauma caused by a truck collision can lead to traumatic brain injuries. In a worst-case scenario, a victim could end up with permanent loss of cognitive, emotional, and physical function, depending on which areas of the brain are affected.
• Spinal cord injuries: In an accident involving this much force, it’s not uncommon for the spine to take more force than it can bear. Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location of the injury and how injured the spinal cord is. Even if a victim makes a full recovery, they often need lifelong care to ensure the ongoing health of their spinal cord.
• Internal injuries: Internal bleeding and organ damage can be silent, which is what makes them so dangerous—by the time a victim realizes something is wrong, their condition might have become far more severe, and challenging to treat. This highlights the importance of immediate medical care after a crash.
• Burns: Burns caused by explosions, exposure to hazardous chemicals, or extreme friction can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement.
• Severe fractures: Severe fractures can be incredibly difficult to treat, often requiring surgery, extensive reconstruction of the bone, and frequent follow-up appointments.

How victims can fight for full recovery

There’s no question that a severe truck accident can leave victims with serious injuries, mental trauma, and financial loss. That’s why it’s so important to push for fair and full compensation. This can be challenging—trucking companies are in no rush to accept liability for a serious crash, and their insurance companies don’t want to be on the hook for a collision resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. This means that you could be subject to invasive questions, efforts to pin the crash on you, demands to access your medical records, and delay tactics. With the help of a truck accident lawyer, you can protect your rights, get a thorough understanding of how much your accident is worth, and fight for the compensation you are owed.

Start your case with Cunningham & Mears

When you’re ready to fight for justice after a truck accident in Oklahoma, our team of truck accident lawyers is here to help. Call us or fill out our online contact form to set up a consultation.