Because of the size and weight of commercial trucks, the consequences can be catastrophic when they collide with other vehicles. In fact, occupants of other vehicles on the road are more likely to die in an accident involving a large truck than the occupants of the truck itself. The disproportionate size of the truck versus an SUV or sedan can explain this likelihood.
The immediate victims of a truck accident
First and foremost, the direct victims of truck accidents are the drivers and passengers of the other vehicles involved in the accident. When a commercial truck, often weighing 20-30 times more than a passenger car, crashes into a smaller vehicle, the laws of physics are not in favor of the latter. The immediate victims of truck accidents could suffer from the following:
- Severe injuries: Ranging from broken bones and lacerations to life-altering spinal cord or brain injuries
- Emotional trauma: Accompanying the physical injuries and can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or depression
- Financial strain: Including medical bills, rehabilitation costs and potential loss of income during recovery
Each of these repercussions can turn a person’s life upside down, leaving them to navigate a new reality that may include chronic pain or disability. However, they are not the only ones affected by the accident.
The effect on their families
The aftermath of a truck accident does not stop with the individuals in the other vehicles because they also have family members and loved ones. The ripple effect extends to their families, who find themselves forced into roles they are unprepared for. The families of truck accident victims must cope with the following:
- The loss of companionship and support or changes in relationship dynamics due to the stress and demands of recovery
- Financial hardship, especially if the victim was the primary breadwinner and can no longer work
- The emotional burden of caring for a loved one with new and extensive needs
These challenges can strain any family immensely and push the limits of emotional and financial resilience. When truck accidents lead to severe injuries and even wrongful death, the surviving loved ones and family members suffer the most.
It is not just about the immediate physical damage but the enduring toll these accidents take. Those who have suffered due to the catastrophic damages caused by truck accidents have all the right to seek financial relief and get the compensation they need.