Most Delaware motorists drive in proximity to big rigs without incident. Unfortunately, in spite of most of those vehicles continuing on safely, it’s possible for truck accidents to occur. When they do, the people involved can suffer various injuries.
Broken bones
Broken bones can easily occur in any accident, but they’re even more likely when a truck is involved. Any area of the body could be affected, but wrist, arm or even facial fractures are most common.
Spinal cord injuries
A catastrophic injury affecting the spinal cord is one of the most serious in a truck accident. The spine can suffer a blow upon impact, affecting the ability of the brain to send signals to the body. In milder cases, this can result in a pinched nerve and chronic pain; in the worst-case scenario, a spinal cord injury can result in permanent paralysis.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that commonly occurs during truck accidents. A person involved in such a collision can develop it when their head and neck are whipped violently forward and then back again while their torso remains in place thanks to their seatbelt. Often, the symptoms of whiplash aren’t immediately noticeable; it can take hours or days before a person starts to experience headaches, soreness, limited range of motion or all of those symptoms.
Traumatic brain injuries
Sadly, many people involved in accidents with commercial trucks sustain traumatic brain injuries. When the impact causes a person to hit their head, the results can be mild to severe, leaving them with a concussion or something much worse like bleeding in the brain. However, regardless of the level of severity, brain injuries should always be medically evaluated and treated.
Truck accidents are sometimes avoidable, but when they happen, the results can be devastating. Seeking medical attention is crucial even if you feel fine after such an incident.