When a smaller vehicle is struck by a large truck, the force of the impact can cause drivers and passengers significant physical harm. The most common truck crash injuries frequently require extensive medical treatment, prolonged recovery periods, and ongoing rehabilitation.

In many cases, the consequences extend well beyond the initial trauma, affecting a person’s ability to work, perform daily tasks, and maintain relationships. The physical, emotional, and financial effects of these injuries may last for years, reshaping the lives of those involved in ways they never anticipated.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Accidents?

Here are five of the more common truck accident-related injuries:

• Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: The sudden jolt of a collision can stretch muscles, ligaments, and tendons, especially in the neck and shoulders. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility that may last for weeks or months.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs):Blunt force to the head or rapid movement during a crash can result in concussions or more severe brain trauma. Symptoms may include headaches, confusion, memory problems, and long-term cognitive or emotional effects.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete loss of movement or sensation. Injuries may lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, or paralysis, often requiring long-term care and rehabilitation.
• Broken Bones: Fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis are common due to the force of impact. Recovery can involve surgery, physical therapy, and extended time away from work or regular activities.
• Internal Injuries: Blunt trauma from seat belts, steering wheels, or airbags may damage internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, or lungs. These injuries may not be immediately visible and often require urgent medical intervention. 

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Serious Truck Accident Injuries?

The long-term effects of serious truck crash injuries can significantly alter a person’s daily life and financial stability. Physically, individuals may experience chronic pain, limited mobility, and reduced strength caused by spinal cord damage, joint trauma, or head injuries. Recovery often involves repeated surgeries, ongoing physical therapy, and the use of assistive devices, which can interfere with employment and self-care routines.

These conditions may also prevent survivors from returning to their previous jobs or participating in physical activities they once enjoyed. Financially, the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care can be substantial. Lost income during recovery, combined with the possibility of diminished earning capacity, can place families under lasting economic strain.

Even after the initial treatment phase, expenses related to medication, follow-up appointments, and adaptive equipment continue to accumulate, leaving injured individuals facing not only physical challenges but also significant financial burdens over time.

What Types of Emotional and Psychological Challenges May Arise After a Truck Crash?

Survivors of serious truck accidents frequently experience emotional distress that extends beyond physical healing. Post-traumatic stress symptoms can include flashbacks, sleep disturbances, and heightened anxiety. Fear of driving or riding in vehicles often emerges, leading to avoidance behaviors. Depression may develop in response to the loss of independence or changes in social roles.

Mental health professionals employ therapies such as cognitive-behavioral techniques to address these reactions, and support groups offer settings of shared experiences that can reduce isolation. Integrating emotional care with medical rehabilitation promotes a more comprehensive recovery journey for truck accident survivors and their loved ones.

Hemet Truck Accident Lawyers at Lerner, Moore, Silva, Cunningham & Rubel Handle the Legal Work So You Can Focus on Healing

At Lerner, Moore, Silva, Cunningham & Rubel (LMSCR), our commitment to client support helps families rebuild and move forward with confidence. For a free consultation, call our Ontario or Victorville, California office at 909-889-1131 or submit our online form. Our Hemet truck accident lawyers proudly serve clients in San Bernardino County, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Colton, and Riverside County.