Drivers in New Jersey should exercise caution when sharing the road with large trucks. One thing to remember is that truck accidents often end in death, and that in 97 percent of these fatal crashes, it is the occupant of a passenger vehicle who dies. When victims survive, they are usually left with serious physical and mental trauma.
Some of the most severe physical injuries are incurred by the spinal cord. The impact of the crash could cause the vertebrae to become dislodged, fractured or compressed. The nerves could become damaged, leading to temporary or permanent paralysis. Other bones, such as the leg, arm and hip bones, may be broken as the body is thrown against the window, air bag or steering wheel. Victims may have to undergo multiple surgeries before recovering.
Some injuries are hard to diagnose because their symptoms may appear days or weeks after the accident. Concussions, the result of traumatic brain injuries, are just one example. Others can lead to psychological problems, such as scarring after the victim receives cuts and lacerations.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is not uncommon in truck accident survivors. Victims could, for example, see nightmares of the crash, have flashbacks to it and suffer from crippling anxiety.
Keeping track of injuries is one of the most important steps when victims plan on filing a truck accident claim. Since the trucking company’s team of lawyers will likely be aggressive in denying payment, victims may want legal representation before moving forward. A lawyer might hire experts to gain access to the police report and any evidence found at the crash site. All negotiations may be handled by the lawyer.