Imagine being in a small sedan when a massive 18-wheeler suddenly appears in your lane. Thanks to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, any accident can result in injuries far more severe than those typically seen in standard car accidents.
While the initial impact of a truck accident is undeniably shocking, the real challenge often lies in the long and arduous road to recovery. Many survivors of truck accidents in Ohio face chronic pain, limited mobility, and emotional scars that can persist for years, even a lifetime.
Read on as we explore some of the most common long-term health issues faced by truck accident victims in Ohio and how you can get the help you may need.
Common Long-Term Injuries After a Truck Accident in Ohio
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
TBIs are alarmingly common in truck accidents. The sudden impact can cause the brain to collide with the inside of the skull, causing bruising, bleeding, and tearing of brain tissue.
These injuries aren’t always visible on the outside, but their effects can be devastating and far-reaching. TBIs can cause:
- Cognitive challenges: Difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions.
- Physical limitations: Problems with balance, coordination, and sensory perception.
- Emotional changes: Mood swings, irritability, and even depression.
These challenges can ripple through every aspect of a person’s life, impacting their ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy the activities they once loved.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spine is incredibly vulnerable to the violent forces of a truck accident. Spinal injuries often exist on a spectrum, from mild to severe.
Some may experience temporary numbness or tingling, which is frightening, but with proper care, full sensation and function can often return. Others might face lingering weakness or difficulty with coordination, making everyday tasks like buttoning a shirt or walking steadily more challenging.
Tragically, some victims will experience paralysis. This can range from partial loss of movement and sensation to complete paralysis, affecting different parts of the body.
Broken Bones and Fractures
The human skeleton is remarkably strong, but even the toughest bones can succumb to the immense forces unleashed in a truck accident.
Bone injuries can range from simple fractures to complex, comminuted fractures (where the bone shatters into multiple pieces). Complications like non-union (failure of the bone to heal), malunion (healing in an incorrect position), and infection may lead to multiple surgeries, bone grafts, and prolonged rehabilitation.
Even after the initial healing phase, the challenges continue. Some survivors experience chronic pain and limited mobility, turning everyday tasks that were once effortless — tying shoes, lifting groceries, playing with children — a source of frustration and discomfort.
Internal Injuries
In the chaotic aftermath of a truck accident, it’s easy to focus on visible injuries like broken bones, cuts, and bruises. But the impact can inflict significant internal damage as well, including bleeding and injuries to vital organs.
That’s why seeking immediate medical attention after a truck accident is absolutely critical, even if you feel “okay.” Delaying diagnosis and treatment can lead to serious complications, such as:
- Organ dysfunction: Damaged organs may not function properly, leading to a cascade of health problems.
- Infection: Internal bleeding creates a breeding ground for infection, which can quickly become life-threatening.
- Long-term health issues: Survivors may require multiple surgeries, lengthy hospital stays, and ongoing medical care to manage the consequences of these injuries.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Imagine the jolt of impact in a truck accident: your head snapping back, your body twisting in unnatural ways. This sudden motion can tear muscles, overstretch ligaments, and cause inflammation. Unsurprisingly, one of the most persistent and debilitating pain after a truck accident comes from damage you can’t see: soft tissue injuries.
Some common soft tissue injuries after a truck accident include:
- Whiplash: This occurs when the head is violently thrown back and forth, damaging the neck’s soft tissues. Whiplash can cause chronic neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and even difficulty concentrating.
- Sprains and strains: These can affect any part of the body, from the back and shoulders to the knees and ankles, and make turning your head, lifting objects, or even walking painful and challenging.
Diagnosing soft tissue injuries can be tricky. They often don’t show up on X-rays or other standard imaging tests. This is why it’s essential to seek medical attention from qualified professionals (e.g., doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
While broken bones and physical wounds may heal with time, the mental and emotional scars of a truck accident can linger long after the physical injuries have faded. These invisible wounds can be just as debilitating and life-altering.
It’s not uncommon for truck accident survivors to struggle with PTSD, which can manifest as:
- Intrusive memories: Flashbacks, nightmares, and recurring thoughts of the accident.
- Avoidance: Avoiding places, people, or situations that remind them of the trauma.
- Negative thoughts and feelings: Persistent fear, anxiety, guilt, shame, or difficulty experiencing positive emotions.
- Hyperarousal: Being easily startled, having trouble sleeping, feeling on edge, and experiencing irritability or anger.
Remember: seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. A therapist specializing in trauma can provide a safe space to process your emotions, develop coping mechanisms, and reclaim a sense of control over your life.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Ohio
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Ohio, you’re likely facing a long and challenging road to recovery.
But it’s important to understand that these collisions are not like typical car accidents — they often involve factors unique to the trucking industry: fatigued drivers pushing the limits of federal regulations, overloaded trailers, and companies prioritizing profits over safety. This can make determining liability and securing fair compensation even more complex.
At Slater & Zurz, we understand the intricacies of Ohio truck accident law and have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact these crashes have on individuals and families across the state. Our team is dedicated to helping Ohioans like you navigate this difficult journey and hold negligent trucking companies and drivers accountable so that no one else has to suffer the same preventable tragedy.
Don’t let the aftermath of a truck accident derail your life. Contact Slater & Zurz today for a free consultation today at 330-762-0700.
Written by Michael Schmeltzer
Michael, a partner at Slater & Zurz, represents clients in a broad range of complex cases, including catastrophic personal injury, construction accidents, trucking and motorcycle collisions, product liability, wrongful death, nursing home negligence, and medical and professional malpractice.
