A crash involving a large truck can cause catastrophic injuries – particularly for those in a smaller vehicle. Of course, truck drivers can also suffer serious injuries as well – especially if the truck turns over or they’re transporting flammable cargo.
Serious fractures and tears, head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and internal organ damage are among the most common injuries suffered in truck collisions. Many of these injuries fall under the term “orthopedic trauma.”
What is orthopedic trauma?
Orthopedic trauma refers to both a cause and the type of injury. These are injuries to the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves, tendons and cartilage – basically the stuff that holds the body together and allows for movement. Orthopedic trauma injuries are caused by some type of external force – usually a violent and sudden one, like a crash.
Oftentimes, surgery is required to treat these injuries. That’s generally followed by weeks or longer of being in a cast and using mobility aids along with physical therapy. Amputations, which are among the most serious types of orthopedic trauma, can change a person’s life forever.
Additionally, people who suffer orthopedic trauma sometimes weather what is called “complex polytrauma.” That’s when a person suffers multiple severe injuries that affect different parts of their body. For example, someone involved in a crash with a semitruck might suffer fractures as well as burns, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or paralysis caused by a spinal cord injury.
Of course, if you or a loved one has recently been involved in a wreck, the only injuries that matter right now to you are yours or your loved one’s. By understanding how complex they can be and how much treatment may be required, you can better understand why it’s crucial that you don’t just accept the first settlement offered, no matter how attractive it might be. When a commercial truck causes a crash, any one (or more) of a number of parties may have liability. It’s crucial to seek experienced legal guidance to protect your right to fair compensation before committing to any particular course of action.