Truck accidents are one of the most serious types of traffic accidents that can occur on the roads of Los Angeles California. Due to the large size and weight of these vehicles, the impact they can cause is very strong and can cause material damage, injuries and even death to those involved.

According to statistics, in 2019 more than 4,000 deaths were recorded due to truck accidents in the United States, and California was the second state with the most fatalities, only surpassed by Texas? Furthermore, it is estimated that around 70% of the people who die or are injured in these accidents are the occupants of the other vehicles, not the drivers or passengers of the trucks.

Type of injuries that people involved in a truck accidents can suffer

Truck accidents are traumatic events that can cause serious consequences for the people involved in them. Injuries to vehicle occupants, pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists who collide with a truck can range from minor to fatal, depending on the speed, angle, weight and type of truck involved.

Some of the most common injuries that victims of a truck accident can suffer are:

Brain injuries

The impact of a truck can cause a severe blow to the head, which can cause a concussion, contusion, brain hemorrhage, or traumatic brain injury. These injuries can affect memory, speech, vision, balance, coordination, and other cognitive and motor functions.

Neck and back injuries

The force of the impact can cause whiplash, which is an injury to the muscles, ligaments, and intervertebral discs in the neck. This injury can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, limitation of movement, and tingling or numbness in the arms or hands. There may also be an injury to the spinal cord, which is the set of nerves that connect the brain to the rest of the body. This injury can cause partial or total paralysis of the lower or upper extremities, loss of bladder or bowel control, breathing or sexual problems.

Thoracic and abdominal injuries

The chest and abdomen can suffer blunt trauma from hitting the seat belt, airbag, or any other object. This can cause fractures of the ribs, sternum or collarbone, internal bleeding, perforations of organs such as the lung, heart, liver or spleen, or ruptures of the diaphragm. These injuries can cause difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, severe pain, shock, or infections.

Bone and joint injuries

Bones and joints can be fractured, dislocated, or sprained by a strong impact or by becoming trapped in vehicle debris. These injuries can affect any part of the body, but are most common in the upper and lower extremities. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, deformity, limitation of movement, and problems performing daily activities.

Skin lesions

The skin may be cut, scraped, burned, or abraded when coming into contact with sharp, hot, or rough objects. These injuries can affect any part of the body, but are most common on the face, hands, and arms.

These are just some of the most common injuries that people involved in a truck accident in Los Angeles California can suffer. However, there are many other possible complications that can affect the physical and mental health of victims. Therefore, it is important to seek immediate medical attention and specialized legal advice to claim the compensation you deserve for the damages suffered.

Risks of driving near trucks on the road

Driving near trucks on the road can be a high-risk situation for drivers of smaller vehicles. Trucks have a greater mass, longer braking time, less visibility and greater maneuvering space than cars, which can cause serious accidents if the safety distance and traffic rules are not respected.

Some of the risks of driving near trucks on the road are:

The suction effect: occurs when the truck displaces a large amount of air when driving, creating an area of ​​low pressure behind it. If a vehicle gets too close to the truck, it can be pulled into it and lose control.

– The blind/dead angle: it is the area that the truck driver cannot see through the mirrors. If a vehicle is in the truck’s blind spot, it may be ignored or hit by the truck when changing lanes or turning.

– Side wind: it is the wind that blows perpendicular to the direction of travel. If the truck receives a gust of side wind, it can deviate from its path and occupy part of the adjacent lane, invading the space of the vehicle traveling next to it.

– Overtaking: it is the maneuver of overtaking the truck in the left lane. This maneuver requires a greater distance and time than overtaking a smaller vehicle, since the truck has a greater length and speed. In addition, when overtaking the truck you lose visibility of oncoming traffic, which increases the risk of a head-on collision.

How to avoid accidents on the road with cargo trucks?

To avoid these risks, it is recommended to follow some precautionary measures when driving near trucks on the road, such as:

– Maintain an adequate safety distance from the truck, both in front and behind. It is estimated that the minimum distance should be 50 meters or the equivalent of two seconds.

– Do not position yourself in the blind spot of the truck, but in a place where the driver can see our vehicle through the mirrors.

– Respect the signs and traffic rules, as well as the truck driver’s instructions if he uses lights or gestures

– Do not drive alongside the truck for a long time, but pass it safely and quickly when possible and there is sufficient space and visibility.

– Do not brake suddenly in front of the truck, as it may not have enough time to react and crash into us.

Driving near trucks on the road involves greater attention and responsibility on the part of drivers of smaller vehicles. By following these recommendations, we can reduce risks and improve road safety for everyone.