Texas Truck Wreck Attorney Blog

It is it not uncommon that vehicle collisions result in the need for the services of an orthopedic surgeon.
Many times an orthopedic specialist is called in when the truck accident victim is taken to the ER due to the severity of the injury. Other times it is only after failed physical therapy and continuing problems- is an orthopedic specialist consulted.

Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (also spelled orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

The list of the types of injuries resulting from a vehicle collision that may require orthopedic services include but are not limited to: spinal injuries, clavicle fractures (shoulder), scapular fractures (shoulder blade), Shoulder (glenoid, humeral head or humeral neck) fractures, humerus (upper arm) fractures, radius and/or urina (lower arm) fractures, scaphoid (wrist) fractures, pelvic and acetabulum fractures, hip and leg fractures, femur (thighbone) fractures, patella (kneecap) fractures, tibial and/or fibular (lower leg) fractures, ankle fractures and calcaneus (heel) fractures.

Of course, each time the word fracture appears it can be replaced with the word 'broken' - because bones either fracture or break. These types of injuries are traumatic and can send a person into shock -further complicating the injury.

The cost to treat these types of injuries- it is hard to say - beyond saying it's expensive it's difficult to pin down costs. One authority proclaimed that a broken arm cost $20,000 to fix! But actual costs vary by location, doctor and specific injury.

I regularly see medical bills from a back or neck surgery that exceed a hundred thousands of dollars when its all said and done.

The best advice is to see an orthopedic as early as possible if your injury warrants it.

Those of us who get behind the wheel of a car fully aware of its potential to maim and kill - and the accompanying costs (minus the emotional trauma) may look twice before entering an intersection - may slow down cresting the top of a hill -let the big rig pass us or may simply drive defensive - and after all, that is my ultimate goal.

Continue reading "See an Orthopedic Surgeon When Necessary" »

Many times after an 18 wheeler accident a person is so grateful to walk away seeming unscathed that they brush off offers of help from medical professionals on the scene and try to tuff it out afterward.

However, many times serious injuries do not show up immediately.

The symptoms arising from an injury sustained in a truck accident do not necessarily present themselves immediately following a wreck.

Medical research and clinical experience have accumulated enough information to demonstrate that the delay of an injury symptom is the norm.

Studies have established that the delay of a symptom does not eliminate the possibility of severe injury. It's been proven that individuals can continue to be symptomatic for many months after a motor vehicle accident. In addition, approximately 75% of accident victims can remain symptomatic for a minimum of 6 months after the accident.

If you delay getting treated it will hurt an injury case as the adjusters will always take the position that:

1. it was not a serious injury or you would not have waited to go to the doctor.
2. some thing other than the accident caused the injury. or
3. You really were not hurt at all.

If you have any doubts about the extent or nature of an injury go to the medical professional of your choosing and get checked out. Follow the professionals advise.

And understand that being released from the Emergency Room does NOT mean you are ok- the ER only deals with emergency situations not ongoing diagnosis and treatment for some spinal cord injuries, head injury or other serious conditions.

Also when involved in an truck accident - do not make outright declarations such as 'I'm alright' because it may put you in a position in which you cannot seek redress and compensation further down the road - if indeed you demonstrate signs of a delayed injury".

If you are in an accident it might be a good idea to undergo a complete physical examination and be mindful of ailments not manifested before the collision.

Continue reading "Get checked out after a truck accident" »

With the significant impact that comes from an 18-wheeler accident one of the most common injuries we see are spinal cord injury. Many times folks are rushed to the emergency room and later released when the x-rays do not show a fracture of the spinal cord. Unfortunately, all to often what the truck accident victim fails to understand is that x-rays do not show some very serious conditions such as bulging discs or a herniated disc. For that diagnosis a more advanced test is required either an MRI or a CT scan.

A serious spinal cord injury can be a nightmare for the victim of a semi truck accident. Frequently, long hours of physical therapy are required and it can be very expensive. With more serious back or neck injury, pain management, rehabilitation and surgery can run from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Lost income during the recovery period also challenges the truck accident victim.
Add to that the human damages of suffering through surgery, recovery or rehabilitation and the toll can be very large.

The neurological damage that accompanies spinal cord injury is of special concern in many serious spinal cord injuries. It is the axons or extensions of the nerve cells that act as electrical cords between the brain and the rest of the body that complicate the care, treatment and recovery of a spine injury.

Sometimes, damage to the axons is slight and complete or almost complete recovery can be abstained, other times complete or partial paralysis results.

All in all, serious spinal cord injury can be devastating to the truck wreck victim and their families. Even with excellent health insurance, it economic impact can be high. And a positive mental attitude is very important in dealing with the recovery or disability from a serious spinal cord injury.