What Victims Need to Know
When a commercial truck crashes into a smaller vehicle, the consequences are often catastrophic. With fully loaded 18-wheelers weighing up to 80,000 pounds, the sheer size and momentum involved in a trucking accident make serious injuries likely.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, understanding how these collisions happen and what types of injuries are most common can be critical in getting the medical care you need and the compensation you’re entitled to under Kentucky law.
Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
Truck crashes differ fundamentally in terms of impact, liability, and potential for injury.
The risk of permanent disability or death is dramatically higher, and the causes often trace back to negligence that could have been prevented.
Below are some of the most frequent causes of trucking accidents that lead to personal injury claims:
1. Driver Fatigue
Federal regulations limit how long a commercial truck driver can stay on the road, but they’re often ignored.
Tight delivery schedules, pressure from employers, and financial incentives can push drivers beyond their limits. Fatigued driving slows reaction time and impairs judgment, creating a hazard as dangerous as drunk driving.
2. Distracted Driving
Truck drivers face numerous distractions, including GPS devices, dispatch systems, texts, calls, and even food.
Looking away from the road for even a few seconds while operating a multi-ton vehicle can have devastating consequences.
3. Poor Maintenance
Worn brakes, bald tires, defective lights, and other mechanical failures are major contributors to truck crashes.
If a trucking company skips inspections or cuts corners on repairs, it can be held liable when preventable malfunctions cause injury.
4. Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo
Exceeding a truck’s weight limit or loading cargo unevenly makes it harder to steer and stop. These dangerous practices increase the chances of jackknife accidents, rollovers, and cargo spills, all of which can lead to serious injury or death for innocent drivers nearby.
5. Substance Use
Despite strict regulations, impaired truck driving still happens. Whether it’s alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription medications that impair function, the results can be catastrophic and legally actionable.
6. Weather-Related Negligence
Snow, rain, ice, and fog don’t excuse bad driving.
Professional drivers are trained to slow down and adapt in hazardous weather.
When they don’t, they can be held accountable for the crashes that follow.
7. Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers
Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that their drivers are adequately trained to operate large trucks.
When they hire unqualified drivers or fail to train them on safety procedures, they put everyone on the road at risk.
8. Traffic Law Violations
Speeding, improper lane changes, and running red lights.
These violations are dangerous for any driver.
When a truck is involved, the consequences can be far more devastating due to the vehicle’s size and stopping distance.
Common Injuries From Truck Accidents
When a crash happens, the physical toll is often overwhelming.
Victims may face long recoveries, lifelong disabilities, or worse.
Here are the most frequent and severe injuries we see in truck accident cases:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Even a moderate head injury can permanently affect memory, reasoning, speech, or emotional control.
TBIs are among the most expensive and life-altering outcomes of a trucking accident.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A damaged spinal cord can lead to paralysis, loss of sensation, or chronic pain.
Victims often require lifelong care, assistive devices, or home modifications.
Broken Bones
Fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis are prevalent in truck collisions.
They often require surgery, physical therapy, and extended time off work.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
Crushing injuries can lead to life-threatening internal trauma.
These injuries aren’t always visible immediately, which is why prompt medical attention is critical.
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries
These injuries can cause long-term neck and back pain and are often underestimated.
They may not appear on X-rays, but they’re real and often debilitating.
Burns and Lacerations
Fires, explosions, or flying debris from the crash can cause severe burns and deep cuts.
These injuries may result in permanent scarring or require skin grafting.
Emotional and Psychological Trauma
Post-traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common after a traumatic crash.
Mental health is just as important as physical recovery and should be part of any claim.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Truck accident cases are more complex than standard car crashes.
Multiple parties may be liable, including the truck driver, the trucking company, parts manufacturers, or third-party maintenance providers.
Commercial carriers are also backed by aggressive legal teams and insurers who will do everything they can to limit payouts.
At Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, we don’t back down.
Our team is familiar with the federal regulations governing commercial trucking, and we utilize subpoena power, black box data, GPS logs, driver logs, and maintenance records to uncover the whole truth.
When necessary, we bring in accident reconstructionists, trucking safety experts, and medical professionals to build a case the insurance companies can’t ignore.
We fight for full compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs.
Take the First Step
If you or someone you love has been injured in a trucking accident, don’t wait. Time is critical, and evidence disappears quickly.
Call Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7, and you won’t pay us a dime unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common are injuries from truck accidents?
In 2022, approximately 161,000 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks, marking a 3.9% increase from the previous year. Notably, 73% of these injuries were sustained by occupants of other vehicles, highlighting the significant risk to drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles.
What types of injuries are most common in truck accidents?
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Common injuries include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
These can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, leading to long-term cognitive impairments.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis or chronic pain.
Broken Bones and Fractures
High-impact collisions frequently cause fractures, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
Internal Injuries
Blunt-force trauma can lead to internal bleeding or organ damage, which may be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries
Sudden jerking motions can cause neck injuries and muscle strains.
Burns and Lacerations
Collisions may result in fires or contact with sharp debris, leading to severe burns and cuts.
Psychological Trauma
Survivors may experience PTSD, anxiety, or depression following the accident.
Who is most at risk in a truck accident?
Occupants of passenger vehicles are particularly vulnerable in truck accidents. In 2022, 66% of fatalities in large truck crashes were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, while 17% were truck occupants, and 16% were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
What should I do immediately after a truck accident?
Seek Medical Attention
Even if injuries seem minor, it’s crucial to get evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Report the Accident
Contact law enforcement to file an official report.
Document the Scene
Take photographs of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
Gather Information
Collect contact and insurance details from all parties involved, as well as contact information for any witnesses.
Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer
An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process and help protect your rights.
How is fault determined in a truck accident?
Determining fault involves investigating various factors, including driver behavior, vehicle maintenance records, and compliance with traffic laws. Liability may rest with the truck driver, the trucking company, vehicle manufacturers, or other parties. An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to establish fault and pursue appropriate compensation.