There is no such thing as a “good truck accident.” If a fully loaded semi-rig weighing 80,000 pounds slams into a car, it can be devastating for anyone in that car. The only thing that could be considered “good” is if you’re able to walk away from the collision.
Even then, there could be complications from missed injuries. That is why you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of how you feel.
The moment that your injury is confirmed is when you should reach out to an experienced Charleston truck accident attorney. Your lawyer will be able to provide you with the options for pursuing a claim not only against the truck driver but also against the company that hired that driver.
First, you need a thorough understanding of the extent of your injuries.
The Danger of Delayed Symptoms After a Truck Accident
At the moment of impact with a truck, your body will be flooded with adrenaline. This is part of the encoded “fight-or-flight” response that our bodies use for self-preservation. The stress hormones are a natural painkiller that temporarily masks your pain. That is why you might feel fine and be able to “walk away” from the crash.
If you suffer from a soft-tissue injury like a sprain, strain, or whiplash, you might not experience the symptoms until days later. That is when you might notice stiffness, swelling, or bruising.
Unfortunately, when your pain is masked, you might not feel the need to see a doctor. That can be dangerous because many injuries with delayed symptoms require immediate attention.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage from Blunt Force
Blunt force trauma occurs when a high-speed collision with a truck jolts your body in such a way that it crushes or shears internal tissues. These injuries are not instantly visible, and they can lead to massive internal bleeding. If left unchecked, it can quickly evolve into life-threatening hypovolemic shock.
These are the high-risk organs that can compress against the spine and ribs.
- Spleen and Liver: These are highly vascularized, solid organs, making them among the most frequently damaged in a car accident. When tears or lacerations occur in these organs, it can lead to severe bleeding directly into the abdominal cavity.
- Kidneys: A bruise or rupture to your kidneys can show up as blood in the urine or retroperitoneal bleeding, which is bleeding behind the abdominal cavity.
- Intestines and Stomach: A blunt force impact to your intestines or stomach can cause these hollow organs to burst. That results in spilling highly acidic and bacteria-laden contents into the abdominal cavity, which in turn leads to severe peritonitis, which is an infection of the abdominal lining.
- Lungs: If your lungs are injured in a truck accident, it can lead to a collapsed lung (pneumothorax). It can also lead to dangerous blood pooling in the chest cavity, also known as a hemothorax.
Symptoms of internal injuries can be delayed for hours or even days and can show up in the following ways:
- Abdominal swelling
- Unexplained bruising
- Signs of blood loss, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and an abnormally rapid pulse
- Shortness of breath or rapid, shallow breathing
- Nausea, vomiting, or vomiting blood
If you experience any of those symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Traumatic Brain Injuries and Subtle Cognitive Changes
Just as with internal organ injuries, the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) might not show up for days. These symptoms can manifest as subtle cognitive changes, including the following:
You might experience information overload, which can make it hard to process rapid conversations, multi-step directions, or complex work tasks. You can also struggle with words through intermittent tip-of-the-tongue syndrome or slight delays in responding during conversations.
If your focus begins to drift, especially in loud or distracting environments, it could be a sign of cognitive changes. The same can be said if you start to have trouble with planning, prioritizing, or regulating impulses. That can lead to unexpected fatigue or uncharacteristic frustration.
Diagnosing a TBI requires a thorough neurological evaluation that includes imaging and occupational and speech therapy.
Soft Tissue Damage and Whiplash in Heavy Vehicle Crashes
When there is a sudden crash with a truck, you can experience a violent hyperextension, which is a forceful snap of your head and spine. Along with the strain on your neck, which can turn into whiplash, you can also experience muscle and ligament strains in the upper back, shoulders, and lower lumbar spine. Symptoms of soft tissue damage rarely appear immediately and can take hours or even days to surface. When they do show up, they can be the following:
- Persistent stiffness in the neck and back
- Muscle spasms
- Deep, radiating aches.
- Recurring headaches
- Radiating pain into the arms
- “Pins and needles” numbness.
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Blurred vision
There are also challenges with diagnosing these injuries with a standard X-ray. Because these injuries affect muscles and ligaments rather than bone fractures, standard X-rays often miss them. That is why you might need more detailed scans, such as an MRI or CT.
If you are diagnosed with soft tissue damage or severe whiplash, it can take weeks or months to heal. That can mean ongoing physical therapy and potentially missing work. Both of those need to be compensated for.
Psychological Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Not every injury from a semi-truck collision leaves a visible scar. For many people, the emotional impact of the crash can linger long after the physical injuries heal. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other forms of psychological trauma are common but often overlooked after serious truck accidents.
This type of trauma can manifest with the following symptoms:
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Irritability
- Panic attacks
- Mood changes
- Difficulty sleeping
It is also common for survivors of a catastrophic truck accident to develop a fear of driving or riding in a vehicle. You could also withdraw from loved ones or have trouble concentrating at work. Unlike fractures or whiplash that can recover over time, emotional injuries can linger for a very long time.
They can also be as disruptive as physical injuries that require treatment from mental health professionals.
If a truck accident has affected your emotional well-being and quality of life, those losses should be considered when pursuing compensation.
Why Immediate Medical Imaging Is Critical for Your Claim
After a truck accident, you might think that you feel fine or that your aches and pains are to be expected and will simply go away. Unfortunately, delaying treatment can put both your health and your legal claim at risk. Prompt medical imaging can identify internal injuries from truck crashes, such as traumatic brain injury diagnosis concerns, hidden fractures, and soft tissue damage, before those conditions worsen.
Early detection gives you the best opportunity for effective treatment.
If you notice delayed symptoms after a truck accident or simply do not feel like yourself after the collision, you need to trust your instincts and seek medical attention immediately.
Once your condition has been evaluated, an experienced Charleston truck accident lawyer can help you understand your rights to pursue compensation.
At Forbes Law Offices, the team understands that the most serious injuries are not always immediately apparent. We are prepared to advocate for victims facing invisible injuries and mounting medical expenses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck collision, contact Forbes Law Offices today to schedule a consultation to discuss what your next steps should be.
