- July 17, 2019
- Truck Accidents
Different types of vehicles are involved in road accidents, but no crashes are as dangerous as those involving large trucks -- that is, 18-wheelers or semi-trucks that weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Due to their size, these vehicles can cause catastrophic damage in a traffic accident. In this article, our Detroit truck accident lawyers discuss the destructive nature of a truck accident and what you should do if you or a loved one is involved in one. Our attorneys can also provide legal representation if you want to file a compensation claim against the negligent truck driver or trucking company.
Why Choose Goodman Acker P.C. to Handle Your Trucking Accident Claim
At Goodman Acker, our Detroit truck accident attorneys are ethical, aggressive, and trusted. We understand the impact and the catastrophic nature of truck collisions and how they can affect your financial and mental state. Therefore, we do all we can within the law to return you to a semblance of your pre-accident state.
We are Michigan’s trusted law firm with a 99% success rate.
We have over 30 years of combined experience and have won millions in compensation for our clients. Therefore, no matter who you are up against, you can trust our Michigan lawyers to help you achieve a favorable outcome. Our diverse, skilled, and reputable attorneys are here for you, so call us at 248-286-8100 to book a free case review.
What Makes a Truck Accident Catastrophic?
Trucks transport necessities like food from state to state or locally. But as functional as they are, they pose one of the biggest challenges on the road, especially in traffic collisions. So, why are truck accidents so dangerous?
The most significant reason for the destructive nature of trucking collisions lies in the size of the vehicle. For example, a semi-truck hooked to an empty trailer weighs about 35,000 pounds; a loaded trailer weighs around 80,000 pounds. Some semi-trucks also weigh between 10,000 and 25,000 pounds, depending on the size.
On the other hand, small autos weigh around 2,500 pounds, while large automobiles weigh about 4,200 pounds. SUVs or small trucks weigh between 3,500 pounds and more than 6,000 pounds. This shows the extreme disparity in the size of trucks and passenger vehicles.
When a truck traveling at high speed — above the posted speed limit or the American Trucking Association’s recommended 65 mph — collides with a passenger vehicle, the impact is devastating. The semi-truck can crush the smaller car, or it might get trapped under its trailer, resulting in catastrophic injuries.
Different Types of Catastrophic Injuries From Truck Accidents
As mentioned, truck accidents are destructive and often lead to catastrophic injuries. These wounds are life-altering as they can result in paralysis or some other permanent disability or disfigurement. In worst-case scenarios, the accident may lead to death.
Below are the different types of catastrophic injuries from truck accidents.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Truck accidents can create significant jolts in the brain inside the skull. As such, you may experience multiple traumatic brain injuries, like concussions, hemorrhaging, bruising around the tissue on your brain, and coma. If the trauma is to the left side of the brain, it causes problems with logic, speech difficulties, and trouble talking or understanding.
A victim with a TBI might require continuous care, which leads to more medical bills. Therefore, constant care should be included when calculating the compensation amount.
Trauma to the right side of the brain causes problems with visual information processing and apraxia, the ability to perform regular or familiar tasks. In some cases, a TBI affects the victim years after the accident, and some cannot live the life they had before the collision.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
Another catastrophic injury common with trucking accidents is SCI. Spinal cord injuries occur when there’s damage to the ligaments, vertebrae, disks, spinal column, or the spinal cord itself. A traumatic SCI happens when a sudden blow to the spine fractures, crushes, or dislocates one or more vertebrae.
According to the National Institutes of Health, traffic accidents are the leading cause of SCI among people younger than 65. A spinal cord injury may result in circulatory problems due to paralysis or orthostatic hypotension, the swelling of the extremities.
Broken Bones
When an accident occurs, the force of impact is more than the body can take, causing bones to break. Arms, legs, ribs, and sternum are parts of your body susceptible to significant harm in a large trucking accident. Unfortunately, these broken bones can also cause damage to your internal organs, resulting in bleeding and potential shutdown.
Burn Injuries
Some trucks carry flammable products, and a crash can lead to a fire. Even smaller passenger vehicles can catch fire in a severe accident. As a result, those involved in the collision can suffer catastrophic burn injuries.
Burn injuries may result in scarring, which affects the victim’s appearance and ability to function. Also, the person may experience contractures, weakness, thermoregulation, pain, and itching, which affect their overall and psychosocial well-being.
Amputation Injuries
A truck accident can be so severe that it leads to the amputation of the body part at the crash site or later in the hospital if doctors cannot save a crushed limb. Amputations reduce the quality of life for the victim, and they might be unable to earn as much as they did before the crash. Consequently, this type of injury results in significant compensation sums.
What Should You Do After a Catastrophic Truck Accident?
After a catastrophic truck accident, you must mitigate your injuries and maximize your compensation. The following are the steps to take:
Call 911
Call 911 to get the police, highway patrol, and emergency medical personnel to the scene if you are able. If you aren’t, an eyewitness can do this, or the truck driver. The authorities will record the details of the crash, gather evidence, and speak to witnesses.
The accident report is crucial proof in a truck accident claim. Therefore, it is essential to get the authorities to the crash site immediately, so they can close off the scene and gather evidence before reopening the roadway.
These are things you may be unable to do due to the catastrophic nature of the accident. But once you are better, you can get a copy of the police report. Alternatively, your Michigan truck accident lawyer can obtain the accident report.
Get Medical Treatment and Keep a Medical Journal
You will undoubtedly get medical treatment after suffering catastrophic injuries from truck accidents. Ensure you follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid aggravating your injuries. Also, keep a medical journal of your limitations due to your injuries and the receipts of the treatment cost, including prescription medication.
Hire a Detroit Trucking Accident Lawyer
Once you’ve received treatment, the next thing is considering your legal options. This is crucial if the crash was not your fault. A lawyer will examine the case’s facts and provide legal advice based on them. Also, truck collisions are subject to the statute of limitations; if you delay, the time might elapse, and you cannot recover compensation.
The Catastrophic Nature of a Trucking Accident FAQs
As mentioned, catastrophic truck accidents have life-altering consequences. So, when considering taking legal action, you might have the following questions:
Who Is Responsible for My Trucking Accident?
If the truck driver was negligent, they are liable for the accident. However, if the crash was due to the trucking company's negligence, they will be responsible. Sometimes, a third party, like another driver or the loading company, may share liability.
What Will My Compensation Cover?
Your compensation covers your monetary and non-monetary damages. This includes medical bills, loss of income, property damage, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, out-of-pocket expenses, etc.
Will I Succeed If I File a Trucking Accident Claim?
There is no yes or no answer. Succeeding in a truck accident claim depends, in part, on your actions after the accident. For instance, you must mitigate your damages, gather relevant evidence, hire a truck accident lawyer in Detroit, Michigan, and avoid making statements to the at-fault party’s insurance company. It also helps to avoid speaking about the accident on social media.
How Much Will My Trucking Accident Lawyer Charge?
Trucking accident attorneys in Michigan work on a contingency fee basis. This means they get paid once they win and only charge a percentage of your compensation. However, you might need to pay other legal fees, especially if your case goes to trial.
Did You Suffer a Catastrophic Injury From a Truck Accident? Call Us Now!
At Goodman Acker P.C., we know how catastrophic injuries can change a victim’s life. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a trucking accident, you can hold the negligent party accountable, and our firm is here to help you.
Our Detroit truck accident attorneys will help you seek the compensation you need to move forward. We will be with you every step of the way, advising, protecting your rights, negotiating, and arguing on your behalf.
Call us today at 248-286-8100 to schedule a free initial consultation.