Due to their size and weight, large trucks can cleave a path of destruction. The occupants of passenger vehicles tend to suffer the worst of the impact. Unfortunately, these collisions are far more common than many people realize.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 73,000 trucks involved in injury crashes in 2013. Many of the victims faced exorbitant medical bills; some could not return to work, which threatened their families’ financial security.
Although a truck crash can injure almost any part of the body, these five injuries are particularly common:
- Cuts and bruises;
- Internal injuries;
- Fractures;
- Head injuries;
- And neck and spinal injuries.
If you were injured by a negligent truck driver in South Carolina, contact the Hammack Law Firm. Paul Hammack is an accident attorney in Greenville who will evaluate your crash to determine if you have grounds for a claim.
You may be entitled to compensation for noneconomic damages, lost wages and medical expenses. Call (864) 326 3333 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Until then, here is a brief overview of five common truck accident injuries:
- Cuts and Bruises
Broken glass, projectiles and shorn metal can all cause severe lacerations. Accident victims who suffer puncture wounds require immediate medical attention. In addition to cuts, severe bruises can form when victims impact the side window, steering wheel, dashboard or objects within the vehicle.
2. Abdominal and Internal Injuries
As Medscape explains, blunt abdominal trauma can cause life-threatening injuries. These wounds are particularly common among drivers and passengers who do not wear seatbelts.
A severe blow to the midsection can damage organs and cause internal bleeding. Symptoms of internal injuries may not appear immediately, but they can be fatal if left untreated. As such, you should always undergo a medical examination after every crash – even if you do not notice symptoms.
3. Fractures
The impact of a high-speed truck accident can easily fracture or break bones. Broken bones can take months to heal and cost patients a veritable fortune in medical bills and time off work.
4. Head Injuries
Head injuries can be difficult to treat, and they can affect almost every aspect of a person’s life including the victim’s relationships, career and ability to enjoy physical activities.
5. Neck and Spinal Injuries
Whiplash is the most common injury in motor-vehicle accidents. Although most cases heal without medical intervention, whiplash can cause severe pain and prevent a victim from working for several days, weeks or even months. In high-speed truck wrecks, victims may suffer partial or complete paralysis due to spinal injuries. Our spinal cord injury lawyers from Hammack Law Firm can help.
One of the leading causes of traffic accidents involving 18-wheelers is the truck driver’s blind spot. Due to the size and build of the vehicle, there are areas where a standard vehicle simply disappears from a trucker’s field of vision. To decrease the risk of accidents, learn how to avoid truck drivers’ blind spots and stay in the visual range of the truck driver at all times.
If you were injured by a reckless truck driver in South Carolina, contact the Hammack Law Firm. Paul Hammack is a Greenville injury lawyer who will fight for the highest possible settlement on your behalf.
Our Client Bill of Rights offers a 30-day unconditional satisfaction guarantee —no costs and no fees. We serve our Greenville clients in all areas of personal injury, including auto and motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and boating accidents.
To get started with our Greenville personal injury law firm, please simply contact us online or call (864) 766-7108 for a free consultation.
With over 25 years of legal experience, Paul Hammack provides his clients with a level of trial expertise and strategic insight rarely found in personal injury litigation. Having spent the first eight years of his career working within major insurance defense firms across Georgia and South Carolina, Paul gained an intimate understanding of the “other side’s” playbook. This insurance industry background serves as a unique differentiator for his clients; he knows exactly how insurance carriers evaluate risk and what motivates them to pay top dollar for a claim.
In 2008, Paul founded Hammack Law Firm to move away from the “plaintiff mill” model and focus on building personal relationships with those he represents. As a seasoned litigator, he has tried dozens of first-chair cases to verdict, specializing in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries and complex truck accidents. His dual-state practice allows him to provide aggressive representation across both South Carolina and Georgia, ensuring victims of negligence receive the maximum financial compensation possible regardless of which side of the state line the accident occurred.
Paul’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his record of significant achievements, including a $10 million tractor-trailer wrongful death settlement and a $3.9 million moped-versus-truck recovery. His credentials and bar admissions in both South Carolina and Georgia underscore his deep roots in the regional legal community. Beyond the courtroom, Paul is a dedicated advocate for his local community, contributing his time and resources to organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Hands On Greenville, all while working to make South Carolina a safer place for everyone.
