Internal Injuries as a Result of a Truck Accident

Internal injuries are among the most dangerous outcomes of a collision with a commercial truck. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, generating tremendous force in a crash. Even equipped with the best available safety features, a passenger vehicle can only provide so much protection to the people inside. Many people suffer serious internal injuries, even when there is no visible sign of harm.

Cuts and broken bones have obvious symptoms. Internal bleeding and damage to torn blood vessels and vital organs may not be noticeable at first. That means a truck accident victim could have potentially life-threatening injuries that go undetected until a medical emergency arises.

For over 30 years, the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover has helped injured Texans seek compensation from negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties liable for commercial vehicle accidents. If you sustained internal injuries from a truck crash, our team can explain your legal options and discuss your right to compensation in a free consultation. Call or contact us today.

What Are Internal Injuries?

Internal injuries occur when the force of a crash damages the body’s internal structures without necessarily breaking the skin. A crushing impact can rupture an organ or cause bleeding that a victim might not notice right away. Without a visible wound, a person may believe they escaped the crash unharmed. However, delaying a medical evaluation can turn a treatable injury into a life-threatening situation.

How Internal Injuries Are Compensated in Texas

Texas law allows crash victims to pursue compensation when another party acts negligently and injures them. Negligence can take many forms when it comes to truck accidents, and fault doesn’t always lie solely with the truck driver.

Examples of negligence that could give rise to a legal claim include:

• Speeding
• Running a red light
• Following too closely
• Ignoring federal hours-of-service limits
• Skipping a pre-trip inspection
• Improperly securing cargo

Any one of these actions can set off a chain reaction that leaves someone with severe internal trauma.

A successful truck accident claim can provide compensation for losses like:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Out-of-pocket expenses such as home health care, medical equipment, and assistive devices
• Pain and suffering

Firm founder Troy Brookover is Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He can investigate every angle of your case, preserve crucial evidence like black box data and inspection records, and build a case in pursuit of every source of compensation available to you.

Laws That Could Affect Your Right to Compensation for Internal Injuries

Texas follows a modified comparative fault system for assigning responsibility in a personal injury case. The state’s comparative negligence law allows accident victims to recover compensation if they are found 50 percent or less at fault for their injuries. However, their recovery will be reduced by their share of responsibility. Even one percentage point more could bar recovery completely. With such high stakes, having strong evidence and skilled representation is essential from the very start of a truck accident claim.

Texas also sets a two-year deadline for filing a truck accident lawsuit. Waiting too long to speak with an internal organ injury lawyer can mean losing the right to pursue compensation altogether, so prompt action protects both your health and your legal claim.

Most Common Internal Injuries After a Truck Crash

Many types of internal injuries can result from a collision with a commercial truck, including:

• Organ damage or organ failure – Blunt-force trauma can damage the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs, especially in side-impact and rollover truck crashes.
• Internal bleeding – Blunt trauma can tear or stretch blood vessels, causing slow bleeding and clots that disrupt normal blood flow. In some cases, this can cause a stroke.
• Collapsed lung – Broken ribs can puncture the lung and cause a condition called pneumothorax, which can lead to breathing trouble without prompt medical treatment.
• Abdominal trauma – The stomach and intestines can suffer a crush injury or perforation that may not produce clear symptoms until the condition worsens.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – Bleeding in or around the brain can develop internally and may not show symptoms right after a tractor-trailer wreck.
• Spinal cord injuries – Trauma to the spinal cord can compress nerves and cause swelling, causing temporary paralysis. A fully severed spinal cord can result in permanent paralysis.

Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

Knowing the symptoms of internal injury after an accident can help you take proactive steps to protect your health after a commercial vehicle crash in Texas. Seek emergency medical care right away if you notice any of the following warning signs of internal injury after a truck accident:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Dizziness or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Nausea or vomiting, especially with blood
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Deep bruising around the torso
• Blood in urine or stool
• Persistent headaches
• Cold or clammy skin
• Confusion

How Internal Injuries Affect Long-Term Recovery

An internal injury in a truck accident can reshape a person’s life well beyond the initial hospital stay. Some victims with severe internal injuries have to undergo multiple surgeries and months of physical therapy before returning to normal activity. Others live with serious health complications, including chronic pain or lasting nerve damage.

The financial strain can become debilitating as well, as missed paychecks pile up alongside medical bills. Moreover, some truck accident survivors develop long-lasting symptoms of post-traumatic stress that can disrupt their daily lives. A strong internal injury claim can account not only for immediate financial losses, but also the toll that the truck accident took on a person’s overall quality of life and future abilities.

Get Help From a San Antonio Truck Accident Attorney

Firm founder Troy A. Brookover is a skilled personal injury attorney with a proven record of obtaining favorable results for truck accident victims in Texas, including a $1.5 million settlement for a woman injured when a commercial truck ran a stop sign and $1.2 million for another woman injured in a multi-vehicle accident caused by an 18-wheeler on IH-35. Past case results cannot predict the outcome of your legal matter, but they do reflect our dedication and skill in handling complex truck accident cases.

If you or someone you love suffered internal injuries in a San Antonio truck accident, call the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover for a free, no-obligation case review. Our team is available 24/7 to listen to your story and explain how we can help.