Five Common Back and Neck Injury Injuries From Truck Accidents

Many motor vehicle accident victims suffer from back and neck pain as a result of the collision. Due to the large size and heavy weight of semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles, these types of accidents are even more likely to cause serious neck, back, and spinal issues. Commercial trucks often weigh up to 33 times as much as smaller compact cars. When these two types of vehicles collide, the passenger vehicle occupants take the brunt of the collision, which can result in severe injuries.

The back and neck are particularly susceptible to injuries in truck accidents because they are incredibly flexible. Our necks allow for a wide range of motion, making them less stable and easier to injure. Since the human neck and back are not designed to absorb the severe shock of a massive impact with a truck, the jarring motion can cause joint, tissue, and nerve damage. Any type of blow to the spine may cause lifelong impairment and pain. There are some types of back and neck injuries that are more common among truck accident victims.

Whiplash is a type of neck strain or sprain and is one of the most common injuries in a rear-end auto collision. This condition typically occurs when the neck rapidly whips back and forth due to the force of the collision, causing damage to the bone structures and soft tissue of the neck. In severe whiplash cases, joints where the vertebrae connect can become damaged, causing chronic inflammation and pain. In many cases, whiplash injuries will heal within a few weeks or months. Occasionally, whiplash injuries are severe and cause chronic neck pain.

Serious truck accidents can cause damage to the spine, including spinal fractures or dislocations. A spinal fracture happens when a part of the bone sustains intense pressure, causing it to break, shatter, or fracture. Spinal fractures can put pressure on the discs and nerves in the spine, causing additional complications. Spinal dislocations happen when the ligaments around the vertebrae are stretched or torn so that the bone slips out of place. Spinal dislocation can cause nerve damage and chronic issues.

A spinal disc can tear or shift in a truck accident, placing pressure on the surrounding nerves. This type of condition is called a herniated or bulging disc. Herniated discs can be intensely painful and make it difficult, if not impossible, for the victim to return to the activities they want to enjoy. A herniated disc can cause numbness or tingling, intense, lasting arm or leg pain, muscle weakness, and lack of bowel or bladder control.

Spinal stenosis happens when the space around the spinal cord column starts to narrow, putting pressure on the nerves and causing pain and numbness. Spinal stenosis can be brought on with repetitive use or age, but a severe truck accident trauma can also cause it. The impact of the truck accident can worsen spinal stenosis.

In other cases, the truck accident may cause a spinal cord injury. In a spinal cord injury, the spinal cord can become severed. In many cases, the victim will lose movement and sensation below the location of the spinal cord injury. As a result, the victim can be paralyzed from the neck down, causing involuntary spasms, intense pain, loss of sensation and movement, and an inability to control the bowels or bladder.

If you are involved in a truck accident, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. Even if you feel fine at the moment, your symptoms may not be apparent yet. Only a medical doctor can properly diagnose your injuries, and your symptoms may not begin to surface right away. Delaying treatment could make it harder for you to obtain the compensation you deserve.

After you receive medical treatment, we recommend contacting an experienced attorney as soon as possible. The truck accident attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, are prepared to help you fight to recover the total amount of compensation you deserve. We will investigate your case and determine which party or parties are at fault for your accident. We will pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, property damage, pain, and suffering. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, today to schedule your initial consultation.