There are many different types of injuries that truck drivers may suffer. Injuries can range from musculoskeletal disorders to traumatic brain injuries. In addition, falls from elevations can also result in injuries. Ask assistance from a truck injury lawyer that can assist you in recovering non-economic losses. Learn more about common injuries for truck drivers below.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Long-haul truck drivers have a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries than the general population. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck driver injuries are three times more likely than the national average. In addition, a study conducted in 2010 found that musculoskeletal injuries mainly occur to the arms, neck, and back. Falls and contact with an object were the most common causes of musculoskeletal injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A TBI occurs when a person’s brain functions are disrupted during a crash. A common type of head injury that truck drivers suffer is whiplash. It is typical for the occupant of a passenger vehicle to strike the head of the commercial truck driver. Symptoms of TBI may not be immediately apparent. Symptoms of TBI may include difficulty performing basic daily tasks or communicating with others.
Truck drivers sustain the most common type of injury during a collision is a traumatic brain injury. Depending on the severity of the TBI, the trucker may suffer a concussion or a laceration on the face. These injuries can cause headaches, difficulty concentrating or sleeping, and affect daily life. Many truck accidents also result in soft tissue injuries. For example, truck drivers may suffer damage to discs in the spine, which can cause problems with movement and sleep.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are the most severe type of truck driver injuries, and a professional must immediately examine the injured truck driver. A minor spinal cord injury can lead to permanent paralysis, countless medical bills, and emotional trauma. The consequences can be catastrophic, and the victim could even die before the accident is over. Therefore, a professional must examine the truck driver immediately after a crash.
Falls from elevations
Fall from elevation is a common workplace injury. Injuries to truckers range from minor sprains to severe, life-threatening conditions. About one-third of all fall-related workdays are lost due to falls on the same level. Employers should take multidimensional actions to prevent fall-related injuries and ensure proper training. The National Institute of Health recommends reviewing organizational practices and health management programming to avoid fall-related injuries.
Fall-related injuries are common among truckers. Truck drivers sustain the most common types of falls are knee and back sprains. While working in the trucking industry, drivers must maintain at least three feet on the ground. To avoid falls, drivers should use ladders provided by employers. In addition, when exiting the truck, they should face the bed edge, not the side. Another common type of fall-related injury is crushing injuries. Crush injuries are commonly mistaken for fractures, but a trucker may suffer internal organ damage.
Amputations
Truck accidents can cause massive amounts of damage, and it’s not uncommon for a commercial truck to crush a passenger car. The vehicle’s occupant is left with a severed arm or leg when the car does. The amputation can be especially devastating. Even the loss of a finger can drastically impact a person’s professional and personal life. Sometimes a victim is trapped under the truck, and doctors have to cut off the limb to save the victim from further injuries or complications.
