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Whether the crash involves a local delivery truck, an interstate tractor-trailer, or a construction vehicle, truck collision injuries are often severe and legally significant. Victims often face serious physical injuries, long recovery periods, and financial pressure from medical bills and missed work.
For that reason, understanding truck accident injuries and the legal issues tied to them when claiming compensation matters for anyone hurt in a truck collision in Benton County. Our Kennewick truck accident lawyer at Craig Swapp Associates extends legal assistance to individuals in Kennewick who have been injured in truck collisions.
Truck collisions in Kennewick frequently result in injuries that are more serious than those seen in standard car crashes. The physics alone explain why: a fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while a passenger vehicle weighs a fraction of that.
When impact occurs, the force transferred to occupants can be overwhelming, resulting in:
Head injuries are common in truck collisions, even when seatbelts are used. Victims may strike their head against the steering wheel, window, or dashboard, or suffer violent shaking that causes the brain to collide with the skull.
TBIs range from concussions to severe brain damage. Symptoms may include memory loss, headaches, dizziness, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating. In severe cases, long-term cognitive impairment, permanent disability, or death can result. These injuries often require extensive medical care and ongoing rehabilitation.
Damage to the spine is one of the most life-altering outcomes of a truck crash. Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord trauma can affect mobility and nerve function.
In severe cases, spinal cord injuries may lead to partial or complete paralysis. Even less catastrophic back injuries can cause chronic pain, limit a person’s ability to work, and interfere with daily activities. Because spinal injuries often worsen over time, early diagnosis and documentation are critical for legal claims.
The force of a truck collision frequently leads to fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, hips, and pelvis. Some fractures heal with casting and rest, while others require surgery, metal hardware, and months of physical therapy.
Compound fractures and crush injuries are especially common when a smaller vehicle is pinned beneath or alongside a truck. These injuries can permanently reduce strength and range of motion, affecting both employment and quality of life.
Blunt force trauma in a truck crash can injure internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs. These injuries may not be immediately obvious at the scene but can be life-threatening if untreated.
Internal bleeding, punctured lungs, and organ rupture often require emergency surgery and intensive care. From a legal standpoint, delayed symptoms can complicate insurance claims, making thorough medical evaluation essential.
Some truck collisions involve fuel spills, fires, or explosions. Burns can result from direct flames, hot surfaces, or chemical exposure. Even when burns are survivable, scarring and nerve damage can be permanent.
Deep lacerations caused by broken glass or twisted metal may also lead to infections or long-term disfigurement. These injuries often carry both physical and emotional consequences that factor into compensation.
When a vehicle is trapped under or between trucks, occupants may suffer crush injuries severe enough to require amputation. These injuries permanently alter a person’s life and often require prosthetics, ongoing medical care, and workplace accommodations.
These truck accident injuries can be sustained in any collision, including jackknife truck accidents, rollovers, underride crashes, and wide-turn accidents, which are common scenarios that increase injury severity.
Sadly, some truck collisions result in fatal injuries. Wrongful death claims may be brought by surviving family members under Washington’s wrongful death statutes. These claims may seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the emotional loss suffered by loved ones.
Fatal truck accident cases often involve extensive investigation, including accident reconstruction, logbook analysis, and review of safety compliance records. Establishing responsibility is essential not only for compensation but also for accountability.
Determining who is liable for truck accident injuries is rarely straightforward. Unlike standard car crashes, truck collisions often involve multiple parties, each with potential legal responsibility.
Drivers may be responsible if they were fatigued, impaired, or failed to follow traffic laws. Federal regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) govern hours of service, vehicle inspections, and driver qualifications. Violations of these rules can support claims of negligence.
Under Washington law, employers can be held responsible for their employees’ actions when those actions occur within the scope of employment. Trucking companies may also be liable for poor hiring practices, lack of training, unrealistic delivery schedules, or failure to maintain vehicles.
Defective brakes, tires, steering systems, or underride guards can contribute to serious injuries. When equipment failure plays a role, manufacturers or maintenance contractors may share responsibility.
Cargo loaders, maintenance providers, and even government entities responsible for road design or upkeep may bear partial fault. Washington follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning liability can be divided among multiple parties based on their percentage of fault.
The value of a truck accident injury claim depends on how the injury affects the victim’s life, both now and in the future. Truck accident injury compensation may include medical expenses, lost income and lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, and out–of-pocket costs. Truck accident injuries tend to be severe, and the worth of compensation for injury is sometimes disputed aggressively.
Craig Swapp & Associates provides legal representation to those who have suffered truck accident injuries, helping them understand their options under Washington truck accident laws. Our injury lawyers in Kennwick will review the circumstances of your truck collision, identify responsible parties, and pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries.
Call us at 509-567-3629 to speak with our lawyer in Kennewick, or send us a message about your case using our online form here to schedule your free consultation.
Written By: Ryan Swapp Legal Review By: Craig Swapp