Injuries from Rollover Crashes: Why Truck and SUV Accidents Often Wreck Your Claim
Rollover crashes are some of the most severe you can experience. They typically involve high speeds, large vehicles like trucks or SUVs, or both of these factors. Because Florida is a no-fault state for traffic accidents, suffering minor injuries typically requires filing a claim against your personal injury protection insurance.
But what if your injuries are severe after a truck accident? Here’s what you need to know about the types of injuries you can experience in these kinds of crashes and what they could mean for your claim.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries involve damage to the non-bony parts of your body, including ligaments, tendons, and muscles. You can suffer sprains and strains, including whiplash, that cause pain and stiffness.
Whether you can file a personal injury claim depends on the severity of your injury. With more minor injuries like whiplash, your insurance could cover your related losses, so you might not be able to step outside of Florida’s no-fault laws. Knee ligament injuries, however, could require surgery, the cost of which might allow you to begin a personal injury claim.
Broken Bones
Rollover accidents with vehicles like SUVs and trucks can cause significant impact to your bones, resulting in fractures of all types. In many cases, you would be able to step outside of Florida’s no-fault laws, especially if you require surgery. You may also need to take a substantial amount of time off to heal, which your insurance won’t be able to cover.
Internal Damage
Internal damage involves injuries to your organs, blood vessels, and other structures that aren’t visible. Most of the time, people don’t immediately realize they’ve suffered this type of injury.
For example, internal bleeding is a serious concern that could lead to life-threatening drops in blood pressure and shock. Generally, you’ll be able to sue for these types of injuries because of their severity.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Because your body may be tossed in all directions in an accident with a truck or SUV, your spine can experience twisting motions, which can lead to spinal fractures and nerve damage. You can suffer from loss of sensation up to complete paralysis from spinal injuries.
As a result, these are typically considered catastrophic losses for which you can begin a personal injury claim against the liable parties.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) involve a force that causes damage to the brain. They can be blunt injuries, which occur if you hit your head and your brain shifts in the skull. It’s also possible to sustain penetrating brain injuries, which involve an object cutting into the skull and brain.
One of the most serious TBIs you can suffer in a rollover crash with a truck or SUV is a diffuse axonal injury. This occurs if your brain twists, damaging nerve fibers, and it often results in widespread damage that can cause cognitive issues.
If you sustain a minor traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion, you may only be able to file a claim against your insurance. However, you’ll likely be able to file a lawsuit for more serious injuries.
Psychological Injuries
Being in a rollover accident is a traumatic experience. You may develop depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder afterward. All of these conditions lower your quality of life. Depending on the extent of that impact, it may be possible to file a personal injury claim to address your losses.
Protecting Your Future with Help from an Attorney
The severe injuries frequently associated with truck and SUV accidents in Florida can mean that a standard insurance claim will not be enough to fully address your losses. In these cases, you might need to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. The best way to find out what type of claim is right for you is to seek the guidance of an experienced car accident attorney.