If you've been injured in a truck accident, you're likely facing physical pain, emotional distress, and growing financial concerns. These crashes often cause more severe injuries than other motor vehicle accidents due to the size and weight of trucks involved. At William Mattar Law Offices, our truck accident lawyers understand just how devastating these situations can be, and we're here to help you.
We focus entirely on personal injury cases like truck accidents, so we know what it takes to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. With decades of experience, our team has helped clients across New York State recover substantial sums—and we're ready to put that experience to work for you.
Table of contents
Understanding Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents are unfortunately common on our roadways, and they often lead to significant consequences for those involved. Unlike passenger vehicles, trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. The weight of big trucks alone makes them more dangerous than most other vehicles. Even under good road and weather conditions, a fully loaded truck traveling at highway speeds takes almost two football fields to stop. Because of their size and force, collisions with trucks can cause severe damage and life-altering injuries.
At William Mattar Law Offices, we’ve seen firsthand how these injuries impact accident victims and their families. Some people face long recoveries, permanent disabilities, or even the loss of loved ones. While no one can undo what's happened, our legal team is committed to securing the financial support you need to move forward.
If you're wondering what kind of injuries are most common in truck accidents, we'll walk you through them below. Whether you're dealing with one (or more) of these injuries, it's important to know that you're not alone—and that help is available.
Common Injuries from Truck Accidents
Here are some of the most common injuries we see in truck accident cases. Understanding these injuries can help you determine what steps to take next in your recovery process.
Head and Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are, unfortunately, very common in truck accidents. A blow to the head from the force of impact, hitting the steering wheel, or even being ejected from the vehicle can cause a TBI. Concussions, contusions, or more severe brain injuries can lead to symptoms like memory problems, dizziness, headaches, or difficulty concentrating. TBIs often require long-term medical care and can permanently impact your ability to work or enjoy life as you did before.
Neck and Spine Injuries
The neck and spine are especially vulnerable during a truck collision. Whiplash, herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and even spinal cord damage are common outcomes. More severe spinal injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, altering a person’s entire life.
Broken Bones
The impact from a truck accident can easily cause bones to break or shatter. Fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis are common and can require lengthy healing periods, surgeries, or physical therapy. Some victims experience complications like infections or limited mobility.
Broken bones might sound straightforward, but they can lead to weeks or months away from work and significant medical expenses.
Internal Injuries
Not all injuries are visible after a truck accident. Internal injuries, such as organ damage, internal bleeding, or punctured lungs, are common because of the immense force involved in a crash. These injuries are life-threatening and require emergency medical treatment. Even after immediate care, victims often face long recoveries and ongoing health challenges.
Burns and Lacerations
Truck accidents can cause fires or expose victims to gasoline, leading to burns. Severe burns may require reconstructive surgery, skin grafts, and extended hospital stays. They can also leave behind lasting scars, both physical and emotional. Lacerations—or deep cuts—are another outcome. While these may seem mild compared to other injuries, they can leave permanent scars or lead to infections requiring further medical attention.
Amputations
Sadly, some truck accident victims lose limbs because of severe trauma or medical complications. Losing an arm, leg, or finger can dramatically change someone’s life, making it harder to support themselves, take care of loved ones, or maintain mobility. Prosthetics and rehabilitation may help, but they are often very expensive.
Emotional and Psychological Injuries
Physical injuries aren’t the only consequence of truck accidents. Many victims experience mental and emotional trauma as well, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. Being involved in such a violent crash can leave lasting emotional scars and make daily life feel unbearable.
Types of Truck Accidents
There are many types of trucks. Tow trucks. Dump trucks. Tank trucks. Flatbed trucks.
One common type of commercial truck is the large, segmented, multiple-axle truck consisting of a cab for the driver and a trailer for cargo—trucks more commonly known as 18-wheelers.
There are many types of 18-wheeler crashes, including:
Jackknife
When an 18-wheeler jackknifes, the cab of the truck remains pointed in the same direction while the trailer swings, ending up at an angle to the cab. A jackknifing truck can collide with, trap, or crush other vehicles, causing a serious, multi-car accident. Such accidents occur most often on highways, where vehicles travel at higher speeds. Common causes of this type of accident include slippery roads, fast acceleration or braking, and mechanical issues.
Rollover
When an 18-wheeler rolls or flips, it might roll several times, depending on the speed it was traveling when the rollover started. Vehicles in the way of a rolling 18-wheeler can be struck or crushed by the truck’s trailer. According to an analysis of truck rollover crashes, the top five causes are
- not slowing down on curves or off-ramps;
- the weight or nature of a truck’s load;
- worn or faulty brakes;
- dangerous road surfaces or intersections; and
- driver inattention, fatigue, or drowsiness.
Wide Turn
Big trucks make wide turns, especially to the right. An improperly executed wide turn, such as one that takes a truck into oncoming traffic, can cause a collision with another vehicle. Causes include failure to signal the turn or check blind spots.
Blown Tire
Large commercial trucks need tires that can sustain heavy loads; tires that are underinflated or heavily worn or subjected to potholes or other hazardous road conditions are at risk of blowing out and causing the truck driver to lose control and veer off the road or into other vehicles. Blown tires also can send debris flying, creating a hazard for other drivers, or lead to other types of 18-wheeler accidents, such as jackknifing crashes.
Underride
Because tractor-trailers are higher than passenger vehicles, the latter can run underneath the former and become trapped, either on the rear or side of the truck’s trailer. A rear or side underride truck crash can occur when a car tailgates a truck or when visibility is low.
Motorcycles also can underride large trucks. Such accidents often end in death or serious injuries such as traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage for occupants of the smaller vehicle. A truckers’ failure to use underride guards or maintain an 18-wheeler's brake lights also can cause an underride collision.
Lost Load
Shifting or falling can cause especially dangerous truck accidents. Trucks such as 18-wheelers transport tons of materials at high speeds over long distances, so truckers must follow regulations for securing their cargo, especially on highways. Cargo falling from a truck can land on a smaller vehicle or in the road, causing deadly accidents.
Major Trucking Companies
Every day, large trucks from major transportation companies travel the roads of New York, delivering goods and supplies across the state. Below are just some of the significant trucking companies you may see on the highways:
- FedEx Freight
- UPS Freight
- J.B. Hunt Transport Services
- Schneider National
- Swift Transportation
- XPO Logistics
- Ryder System Inc.
These companies are powerful enterprises with substantial financial resources and teams of lawyers working tirelessly to protect their interests when accidents occur. Their goal is often to minimize payouts or avoid liability altogether, which can leave injured victims struggling to get the compensation they truly deserve.
That’s why having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side is so important. At William Mattar Law Offices, we know how to stand up to large corporations, and we’ll fight for the justice and financial support you need during this difficult time.
How Our Legal Team Can Help You
After a truck accident, you may feel overwhelmed by medical bills, insurance company calls, or the uncertainty of what’s next. That’s where the William Mattar Law Offices steps in to help.
Our team of personal injury attorneys has extensive experience representing truck accident victims across New York State. Here’s how we can support you every step of the way.
Investigating Your Case
One of the first steps in your injury case is thoroughly investigating what happened. Truck accidents often involve multiple parties—truck drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, or even third-party maintenance crews. We work tirelessly to identify who’s responsible for your injuries.
We gather evidence, review accident reports, interview witnesses, and analyze any other factors that could strengthen your case. Our goal is to build a strong claim with all the necessary details.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re already dealing with pain and recovery. The insurance companies involved in truck accidents often try to minimize payouts, offering settlements far below what victims need and deserve.
At William Mattar, our attorneys know the tactics these companies use. We’re skilled negotiators who will fight to secure the maximum compensation for your injuries, medical care, lost wages, and other damages.
Representing You in Court
While many personal injury claims are resolved through settlements, some cases require legal action in the courtroom. If your case goes to trial, you can count on our dedicated legal team to represent you with skill and determination.
We understand New York’s laws surrounding truck accidents, and we’ll make sure your case is presented effectively to a judge and jury.
Advocating for Your Best Interests
Above all, we care about helping our clients move forward. We understand that filing a personal injury claim is about getting the resources you need to rebuild your life. That’s why we’re committed to advocating for your best interests every step of the way, treating you with care and compassion as we pursue justice on your behalf.
Why Choose William Mattar Law Offices?
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer is one of the biggest decisions you'll make after a truck accident. At William Mattar Law Offices, we focus entirely on personal injury cases, and truck accidents are one of our areas of practice.
Here’s how we stand out from other law firms:
- Experience: With years of practice and focus on personal injury cases, we have the experience to help you obtain maximum compensation.
- Results: Our firm has helped clients recover settlements and verdicts, giving them the financial support they need to move forward.
- Care and Compassion: We know how emotionally and physically draining this process can be. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, answering your questions and making the process as stress-free as possible.
- Dedication: We’re dedicated to fighting for your rights and ensuring you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can begin building your case and fighting for your maximum compensation.
At William Mattar Law Offices, we take pride in helping truck accident victims across New York reclaim their lives after devastating crashes. We offer a free initial consultation, so you can learn about your legal options and get honest answers to your questions.
Contact us today at (716) 444-4444 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. With William Mattar by your side, you’re not alone in this process. We’re here to help you focus on healing while we handle the insurance company.