The most common injuries sustained in a big rig accident are head and neck, back and spine, chest and abdomen, upper extremities (arms), lower extremities (legs), and internal organs. These injuries can be life-threatening if not properly treated. It is important to know how to protect yourself from these types of accidents by knowing the risks involved with trucking.
Brain injury
If you have been involved in a big rig accident, there are common injuries that affect the upper body and head. Head-on collisions can lead to traumatic brain injury (TBI), cervical spine fractures, or even death. There is no way of knowing what may happen during an accident because each one is different. You might walk away from your first two accidents with just minor whiplash but then get into another wreck where you suffer severe TBI and spinal cord damage which leads to paralysis. The most important thing you can do after any kind of trucking accident is to hire an attorney who specializes in personal injury law, especially for large trucks. In need, there is a big rig accident lawyer in San Diego that will know exactly how much compensation to seek for medical bills lost wages, pain, and suffering, etc. They will also handle all of the paperwork and negotiations on your behalf so you can focus on getting better while someone else worries about how to get a fair settlement for you. For residents of Utah, reading a truck accident guide for Utah can help you understand the trucking laws of your state. There are specific regulations that truck drivers must follow and certain safety regulations they must adhere to while operating their vehicles. It is important to familiarize yourself with these laws to protect yourself If involved in a truck accident.
Hand Injury
When it comes to trucking accidents, one common injury that many people suffer is a hand injury. Injuries such as these are most often caused by the airbag going off or from grabbing onto something in order not to be thrown around inside your vehicle during an accident. You might hit your hands against anything hard including dashboard knobs door handles window frames seat belts steering wheel armrests, etc. if there isn’t enough space between them and yourself when they come flying forward upon impact with another object or surface outside of your car.
Head Injury
Another type of common injury from trucking accidents is head injuries which can be caused by hitting your head on something inside your vehicle or if it hits the windshield. There are many different types of brain damage that one could suffer during and after an accident but some of the most common include closed-head Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), skull fractures, concussions, contusions epidural hematomas subdural hematoma, etc. All of these conditions require immediate medical attention as soon as possible so you need to know what symptoms to look for in case they occur following a collision. You should also make sure you have someone with you who knows first aid because there might not be time to wait on an ambulance to arrive.
Whiplash
Whiplash can occur when your car is hit from behind and then it jerks forward or backward suddenly, causing the head to whip back and forth quickly which leads to pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands chest area. The most important thing you can do after any kind of accident that causes whiplash is consulted a doctor right away so they may order x-rays if need be. They also might want to prescribe physical therapy treatments such as massages electrical stimulation acupuncture etc. This depends on how bad your condition is at first but typically all you have are minor symptoms until something more severe begins to show up such as more pain or difficulty moving the neck.
Back Injury
Back injuries are also very common among truckers who must make frequent turns, bends, etc.. to back their vehicle up into tight spots for loading or unloading purposes. This action puts tremendous strain on one’s back muscles making them extremely susceptible to injury if done too often without adequate time between each occasion for recovery. When this happens, it could lead to further complications such as herniated discs ruptured disks pinched nerves muscle spasms torn ligaments, etc… It’s important to get plenty of rest after your back has been injured because you will need time for it to heal before returning to work. You should also be careful not to lift anything heavy as this could cause further damage and make the situation worse in the long term.
Keep Your Distance
It is important to be especially cautious when following a large truck or even any type of commercial vehicle as they require more time to stop than the average passenger car. If you are in front of the truck make sure that you don’t change lanes quickly without checking first whether it’s safe for both parties involved.
Never take this type of driving for granted because it can cost somebody their life or livelihood if not done correctly, especially when stuck behind big rigs with limited visibility due to their size. It’s always important for drivers today to put safety first by following certain tips such as keeping distance from one another while sharing the roadways so everyone gets home safe at night which results in fewer accidents occurring along busy highways.
Pay Attention
Always pay attention behind yourself while driving because big rigs may have difficulty maneuvering around curves and hills which means that there could potentially be an increased risk for collisions with other vehicles ahead of them on sharp turns or inclines. By practicing these safety tips, you will significantly decrease the chance of being involved in a big rig accident!
Be aware of your surroundings and drive defensively. Be on the lookout for careless drivers or those who are driving under the influence. Keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles to avoid any collisions which could cause injury. It is also important to wear seat belts when inside big rigs because this has been found to reduce injury in car crashes by 50%. Additionally, if involved in an accident try not to panic but remain calm until help arrives as panicking can make injuries worse due to stress hormones being released into the body such as cortisol and adrenaline that increase blood pressure resulting in increased strain on muscles, bones, ligaments and so on.