Trucks are heavy vehicles that require skill and experience to maneuver carefully. For these reasons, truck drivers and owners are subject to regulations that ensure their safety. Most truck drivers tend to operate vehicles while drunk or extremely fatigued. This increases the risk of causing a serious accident. Whether you are hit by a truck while on a small vehicle, on a bicycle, or as a pedestrian, these accidents are often catastrophic. The huge impact that falls on your body can cause severe bodily injuries or even death. If you, your spouse, or your relative suffers injury after getting hit by a truck, you can recover compensation for the injuries by filing a personal injury claim. Seeking proper legal guidance from Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney when navigating a personal injury claim is of utmost importance 

Overview of Truck Accident Injuries

Motor vehicle crashes occur many times a day in Las Vegas. All though all types of accidents can be devastating, accidents involving huge trucks are particularly horrifying. A ruck can hit you while you are cycling, when operating a small vehicle or while crossing the road on foot. The severity of the injuries you are likely to suffer after getting hit by a truck greatly depends on the truck's speed and type of accident.

Las Vegas has clearly defined laws on the conduct required for individuals who own and operate the trucks, including:

  • Regular servicing of the vehicle. Trucks are large vehicles, and they ferry heavy loads for long distances. This makes the vehicle parts prone to wear and tear due to prolonged use. Vehicle pats could fail, and the driver ends up hitting you and causing serious injuries for you and other road users. Trucking companies should do the regular repair of faulty vehicle parts to ensure that the vehicles are roadworthy.
  • Drivers should avoid exceeding the speed limits. Trucks are difficult to maneuver, and when a driver exceeds their reaction time is affected. When drivers cannot stop the truck in emergencies, they can cause serious accidents and injuries to other road users.
  • Truck drivers are expected to have adequate rest before operating the vehicle. A fatigued driver is likely to sleep behind the wheel and hit pedestrians or vehicles. Truck operational regulations require drivers to be given some hours of rest. This ensures that their driving ability is not impaired and reduces the chances of colliding with other vehicles.
  • Trucking companies should employ qualified drivers. Maneuvering trucks requires a high level of experience and skill. An unskilled driver is likely to make wrong decisions when driving and can hit you as you cross the road or cycle. In order to avoid such occurrences, trucking companies should employ skilled drivers to operate their vehicles.

Most injuries that you are likely to sustain after getting hit by a truck can be avoided. The risk of being involved in a truck accident is reduced when drivers exercise reasonable care. This is by following all the traffic rules and adhering to all trucking regulations. Truck drivers, companies, and owners can be held liable for your injuries if their negligent behavior caused you to be hit by a truck.  

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accident injuries are catastrophic, especially when you are a pedestrian, a cyclist, or an occupant of a small vehicle. Individuals who survive such an ordeal sustain injuries that may take decades to recover. Common injuries you may suffer after getting hit by a truck include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

An injury to your brain is among the most severe injuries you suffer from a truck accident. A TBI is a severe injury to the brain caused by blunt trauma or a sharp object penetrating your head. An injury to your brain could range from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the accident. Sometimes one may ignore the magnitude of a brain injury since the tan outward wound is not required for such an injury to occur.

The brain is a vital part of your body, and an injury to this part may significantly affect your life. Also, you may have to deal with the consequences for a lifetime. You may need to depend on other people since your ability to see or make decisions will be compromised. The following are some of the symptoms of traumatic brain injury that you need to look out for after getting hit by a truck: 

  • Disorientation and confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Severe headache
  • Poor concentration
  • Blurred vision
  • Memory loss

An individual who has suffered a severe or traumatic brain injury may incur high treatment costs. Therefore, you can bring a personal injury claim and recover some compensation.

Injury to the Spinal Cord

The spine is a vital yet very sensitive part of the body. The heavy impact from a truck to your body can cause injury to your back or even spinal cord injury. The spine has nerves and tissues that connect through the back to the brain. The organ controls numerous functions such as motion, reproduction, and bladder function.

The type of impact resulting from spinal cord damage will depend on the location of the injury. An injured spinal cord may be noticeable when paralysis has occurred. However, less severe spinal cord damage may be difficult to detect. The following are some symptoms you need to look out for:

  • Loss of your ability to hear
  • Back pain between the neck and the hip
  • Numbness or a tingling sensation on your back
  • Reduced mobility
  • Headaches

An injury to the spine can result in excessive pain and suffering. Complete severing of the spinal cord may affect your mobility and negatively impact your reproductive system functions. You and your family may also be left in an array of huge medical bills resulting from spine injury treatment. In the unfortunate situation where you or a loved one has experienced spinal cord injuries from a truck accident, you can file a claim to recover compensation.

Broken Bones

Bone fractures are the most common type of injury that victims of a truck accident sustain. Bones get fractured when excessive pressure is applied to your body. Trucks are heavy, and when three hit you, the results are often catastrophic. Bone fractures take a long time to heal and can cause severe pain. The bones that are fractured easily in an accident are:

  • Hands, arms and fingers
  • Legs ankles and toes
  • Collar bone
  • Facial bones
  • Bones of the back

When the truck travels at high speed, the resulting impact could cause the breakage of the strongest bones. The most apparent symptoms that could indicate possible bone fractures after an accident include:

  • Deformity in the affected area
  • Limited function
  • Pain that worsens when the area is moved
  • Swelling redness and bruising of the affected area.

Most broken bones take a long time to recover. This results in a prolonged stay in the hospital and the accumulation of medical bills. 

Whiplash Injuries

When you are hit by a truck, whether in a small vehicle, a motorcycle or as a pedestrian, immense pressure is applied to your body. The velocity and tremendous force of the crash cause your head to jerk violently. In this situation, your head will be forced back, causing a strain on the neck muscles. Although whiplash is a mild injury, it could be annoying. Some of the symptoms of whiplash include:

  • Stiffness of the neck
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Shoulder and neck pain

A whiplash incur is not often clear after an accident, and symptoms may not show until after some time. Therefore, seeking immediate medical care can help detect physical injury before the onset of symptoms. Whiplash isn't the only injury that can affect your neck after getting hit by a truck. You can get a neck fracture where the vertebrae on the neck area are broken. Neck fractures should not be taken lightly since they may require surgery to correct.

Recovery from neck injury may be expensive and deter you from going back to work. If another person's negligence caused your injury, you could recover compensation for your loss.

Road Rash Injuries

Road rash is a severe skin irritation caused by contact between your body and the road after an accident. If you are hit by a truck while riding on a motorcycle, bicycle, or when walking on the road, you may be thrown off to the road. The skin is the largest organ, and severe injury to this part could be detrimental. Road rash is categorized into three:

  1. First degree abrasions. These are the least severe type of road rash that occurs when the impact is minimal. The injury presents as redness or tenderness that does not bleed.
  2. Second-degree abrasions. The second-degree abrasions involve the epidermis and the dermis. The injury may bleed, and you require treatment.
  3. Third-degree abrasions. This is the most severe form of road rash that may cause muscle and nerve damage. You may require skin graft surgery to recover from this type of injury.

Road rash may seem like a minor injury but can threaten your life in serious cases. Therefore, you should get immediate treatment as soon as possible.

Amputations

Amputation is the loss of a limb arm, finger or toes. Amputation is not a common injury for car accidents. However, the heavy impact of being hit by a truck can severely damage your limbs. Loss of a limb or leg could either be traumatic or medical. Traumatic amputation occurs when you lose a part of your body at the accident scene.

On the other hand, medical amputation occurs when there is severe damage to the bone, and the doctor opts to get rid of it. This type of injury has lifelong consequences. You may not be able to return to your work or earn income from your job. Enduring an amputation is both physically and emotionally draining. Fortunately, you can use recovery compensation for the injuries if the truck accident in which you were involved resulted from negligence.

Disfigurement

Suffering an injury from a truck accident is devastating. However, most people do not think beyond recovery from the injuries. Most severe injuries leave behind scars and disfigurement that will constantly remind you of the trauma. A scar is what remains after a physical wound has healed, and most of them cause an unpleasant look.

Disfigurement occurs when a part of your body is missing after an accident. Scars and disfigurement cause immense emotional pain, which can affect one's social life. If you feel that another person was responsible for the accident that caused scarring and disfigurement, you can file a lawsuit against them.

Internal Organ Damage

An injury to the internal organs can be quite difficult to detect. However, these injuries present an immense danger to your life. Trucks are heavy vehicles, and when you get hit, the impact on your body is immense. You do not need to have physical wounds for you to suffer an internal injury. Therefore, seeking immediate medical attention after the accident will help detect and treat the injuries. The following are some common internal injuries from a trucking accident are:

  • Internal bleeding. When the heavy impact is exerted on your body, your blood vessels may be injured and are unable to repair. Internal bleeding is difficult to detect but can cause death in severe cases.
  • Abdominal aorta aneurysm. When a truck hits you, pressure may be applied to your abdominal area and rupture the aorta. This is a fatal injury and needs treatment as soon as possible.
  • Organ injury. High impact injury on your body can cause damage to your internal organs, causing them to malfunction.
  • Ruptured spleen. The spleen may rupture when there is severe internal bleeding. Such an injury may require surgery to correct.
  • The impact of a truck accident is likely to cause numerous broken bones. Pneumothorax is an injury that occurs when broken ribs puncture the lungs.

Seeking medical attention helps detect and treat internal injuries before they escalate. Also, the report from your doctor can help you recover compensation.

Severe Burns

A fire is a relatively rare occurrence in a truck accident. However, when it does occur, the resulting injuries are severe. Trucks ferry different goods, some of which are hazardous. When a truck hits you, they may roll over, and a fire could break out. The skin is an organ that regulates numerous functions such as the ability to regulate heat and remove waste. When there is damage to this organ, these functions will be compromised. Burns could either be first, second, or third-degree depending on the severity of the fire.

Burn injuries can cause serious disfigurement that needs to be repaired by surgery. These injuries may take months and months to completely heal and thus affect your ability to lead a normal life.

Wrongful Death

Most individuals who get hit by a truck traveling at high speed end up dying. The impact of the crash is often too much for the body and can cause multiple catastrophic injuries. Losing a loved one from a truck accident is particularly devastating when it results from negligence. Preparation for the funeral and burial and the medical bills of the deceased may take a toll on the finances of the family. Even though monetary compensation cannot be enough to relieve the pain of losing a relative, you can recover compensation for pain and suffering and loss of consortium in a wrongful death claim.

Types of Compensation you Can Recover after Getting Hit by a Truck

Injuries resulting from a truck accident are often catastrophic. When you are hit by a truck, the immense impact on your body will cause life-threatening injuries. These injuries are likely to take a toll on your life. Fortunately. Filing a personal injury claim against the parties liable for the accident can allow you to recover compensation for the injuries resulting from a truck accident. Some of the benefits you can get after a successful claim include:

  1. Medical Expenses

If another person is at fault for the accident in which you were injured, they will be held liable for your medical expenses. However, if the other party does not have auto insurance, your insurance provider can cover the expenses. In most cases, insurance providers will deny or delay payments to offer a lower settlement. If you get hit by a truck in Florida, you will suffer serious injuries. Seeking medical care is one of the things you need to do after an accident. This will help in the early detection of injuries and treatment. Also, your medical report acts as a crucial piece of evidence in your compensation claim.

Immediately after the truck accident, you may have to pay your bills. This can be done using medical insurance or seek care from a doctor who operates on a lien basis. After the claim is settled, then the insurance providers will be reimbursed.

  1. Lost Income 

Injuries that result from a truck accident where you get hit are often catastrophic. These injuries cause prolonged stays in hospitals when nursing your injuries. In most cases, you may be unable to go back to work immediately. Lost income is the amount of money you fail to earn as you are recovering from your injuries. Lost income could be in the form of monthly pay, commissions, overtime, and income from self-employment. When you suffer injuries from a truck accident, you can recover compensation for the lost wages. However, proof of the amount is required for you to receive this type of compensation in Nevada.

You can prove that you lost income when you were nursing your truck accident injuries by presenting a lost wages letter from your employer. If you cannot obtain this letter, you may be required to present your past pay stubs and tax return documents.

  1. Lost Earning Capacity

Getting hit by a truck can be very catastrophic. If you are lucky enough to survive the crash, you may sustain serious injuries such as traumatic brain damage, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. Some of the injuries you suffer may take a while to recover and affect your ability to work and earn money. Even though the lost future earning capacity is difficult to quantify, you can recover compensation in a personal injury claim.

A permanent injury is not necessary for you to receive compensation for lost earning capacity. Even though there is no specific way of calculating lost earning capacity, the jury can consider the following factors:

  • Your age
  • The number of working years you have before retirement
  • The severity of the injuries you suffer
  • Your health status before the accident

  1. Pain and Suffering

Getting hit by a truck can be traumatizing whether you were a pedestrian or were operating a smaller vehicle. The injuries resulting from such an accident may cause immense physical pain. Some injuries, like brain damage, may impact your life forever. No amount of monetary compensation that can help you recover from the effects of a truck accident. However, by filing a compensation lawsuit, you can recover damages. Guidance from a knowledgeable personal injury attorney is crucial when you seek compensation for pain and suffering in Nevada.

Find a Personal Injury Attorney Near Me

Truck accidents are some of the most life-threatening crashes in which you can get involved. Injuries resulting from these accidents are likely to change your life forever. If you get hit by a truck and suffer serious injuries, you can get compensation. With the traumatizing events following the accident, you may not be aware of the truck driver's potential violations. Fortunately, our Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorneys have extensive knowledge of the rules governing the operation of trucks. We can help you the part played by different parties in the accident and guide you through the process of seeking compensation in a personal injury claim. We serve clients throughout Las Vegas, NV, to ensure the best outcome in your case. Call us today at 702-996-1224 and allow us to guide you through the claim.