6 Hidden Injuries to Watch for After a Semi-Truck Crash
It might be hard to imagine not noticing you’re injured after a semi-truck accident, but the fact is that many injuries caused by these types of crashes are not immediately felt or outwardly visible.
Because of this, victims should pay close attention to their bodies after a semi-truck to watch for any of the following injuries.
If you discover that you suffered an injury in your semi-truck crash that wasn’t immediately apparent after that crash, you may face difficulty seeking compensation. The insurance company, trucker, or trucking company may argue that your injuries were sustained sometime after the incident.
An experienced Houston car accident attorney can help gather the evidence you need to prove that the accident did indeed cause your injuries.
The Hidden Injuries Suffered in Accidents
1.Whiplash
Whiplash is a common semi-truck accident injury that doesn’t result in any visible outward signs. These injuries occur when a victim is involved in a violent impact, and can lead to the following symptoms:
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- Stiff neck, shoulders, back, and arms
- Pain in the neck, shoulders, back, or arms
- Headaches, particularly at the base of the skull
- Fatigue and irritability
- Trouble sleeping and concentrating
While whiplash is often downplayed by victims, the truth is that these injuries can result in long-lasting pain and stiffness that can affect all aspects of a victim’s life.
If you think you may have suffered whiplash, seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
2.Soft Tissue Damage
Whiplash is one type of soft tissue damage, but there are actually many more injuries of this kind. Soft-tissue damage affects muscles and tendons, in contrast to hard tissue damage, which involves the bones.
Soft-tissue injuries include sprains, strains, and dislocations. Symptoms of soft-tissue injuries include:
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- Stiffness
- Trouble moving
- Soreness
- Pain
It’s worth noting that the symptoms of soft-tissue injuries can take some time to appear, meaning that you may not immediately associate your pain with your truck accident.
This makes it especially important to be mindful of these types of injuries.
The symptoms listed above can also be signs of potentially life-threatening injuries. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you are experiencing them after your crash.
3. Herniated Discs
Herniated discs are another type of injury that victims may not notice immediately after their semi-truck crash. The symptoms of this injury can be mistaken as simple soreness, and also may not appear right away.
You may have a herniated disc if you experience the following:
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- Pain
- Numbness
- Tingling in the arms, legs, or feet
- Soreness in the neck and shoulders
- Muscle weakness
If you’re suffering from the symptoms noted above, seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may need to see an orthopedic specialist or neurosurgeon for treatment.
4.Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are among the most frightening hidden injuries suffered in semi-truck crashes.
These injuries can result from the same sorts of forces as whiplash, meaning there may not be any outward sign of trauma. Instead, injuries can be caused by the brain bumping up against the inside of your skull.
If you or a loved one experience the following symptoms after a truck crash, seek medical attention immediately:
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- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Ringing ears
- Blurred vision
Again, many of these symptoms are also commonly associated with life-threatening injuries like blood clots, so seeking treatment as soon as possible is essential.
5. Mental Health Issues
Finally, one of the most commonly overlooked types of injuries often suffered by victims of semi-truck accidents is mental and emotional damage.
Accidents and traumatic events of all kinds have the potential to cause victims depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Common symptoms of these conditions include:
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- Nightmares
- Difficulty controlling thoughts
- Emotional difficulties
- Flashbacks
- Irritability and anger
- Increased fear of driving
- Difficulty relating to others
- Difficulty enjoying life
The mental damage victims suffer due to a semi-truck or car accident is often overlooked. This, unfortunately, causes many sufferers not to seek the help they need.
Leaving these conditions untreated can result in decreased quality of life and increased suffering. Seeking treatment as soon as possible is key to combating these conditions.
Seeking Compensation for Semi-Truck Accidents
Getting compensation after any car accident can be tricky, but semi-trucks can be extra complicated due to the potential number of parties involved. From the trucker themselves to the engineers and managers, there are countless people involved in the loading and maintenance of your average semi-truck.
In order to ensure that your rights to compensation are protected, you may wish to contact an experienced car accident attorney like those at Lapeze & Johns, PLLC. We’d be proud to help you get the relief you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident in Texas, the Houston truck accident attorneys of Lapeze & Johns can help you find the path to financial relief.
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