What Happens When a Truck Accident Fractures or Injures Your Pelvis
A fractured pelvis is an extremely common and potentially fatal injury for truck accident victims. The susceptible bone is at risk for bearing the brunt of a truck accident’s force, as it sits directly above your vehicle’s impact-absorbing foundation. Furthermore, the size and weight of a truck contribute to an exceptionally high impact force—a forces great enough to shatter bones well displaced from the impact point.
If you or someone you love has sustained a broken pelvis in a tractor-trailer accident, you need to understand the prognosis of this injury and your legal rights.
Pelvic Injuries
The pelvis (commonly known as the hips) is a ring-shaped bone that creates a bowl-like area to provide stability to your legs and cradle several digestive and reproductive organs. Numerous large nerves and blood vessels also pass through this structure.
Truck accident injuries to this part of the body can result in…
- Internal damage. As a result of this cradling, a fractured pelvis can easily puncture organs and vessels, causing significant bleeding, nerve injury, and organ damage.
- Pain and swelling. When the pelvis is broken, the area often becomes swollen and bruised and is incredibly painful. Any attempt to move or walk can further displace fractured bone fragments.
- Shock. The pain caused by a pelvic fracture can drastically alter blood pressure while internal injuries can cause blood loss. The combination of the two effects can lead to a victim sustaining a life-threatening condition known as shock.
A pelvic fracture can be identified in an imaging test such as an x-ray, and surgery is often required for repair. Once the pelvis is stabilized, surgeons can then focus on internal injuries.
Truck accidents can happen for many reasons, and the fault can often lie with either driver. However, if the negligence of the truck driver or the trucking company was what lead to your injuries, you should hold them accountable. Expenses from a pelvic fracture can add up quickly. However, the liable trucking company should be responsible for your recovery costs, including medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Contact our office today at 713-921-4171 to begin pursuing your injury claim.
Sitting in on Pelvic Collision Safety
A broken pelvis can cause excruciating pain; knowing this, do you feel that cars should have better safety options to prevent pelvic trauma? Are you secure in the knowledge that you and your loved ones are sufficiently protected in a collision?
Let us know your feelings on pelvic collision injury safety by leaving your opinion in the comment section provided on this page. We’re anxious to learn your concerns and what you think of collision safety. Please share your stories and contact us directly with any legal concerns you may have following an accident. We’re here to help you!