When crashes between large commercial trucks and smaller vehicles occur, the people in those smaller vehicles are by far the most likely to be injured or killed. In 2022, nearly 73% of those injured and over 70% of those killed in collisions involving trucks were occupants of other vehicles.
These injuries, due to the weight and size of commercial trucks, can be catastrophic. Oftentimes, they involve what doctors call “orthopedic trauma.” This refers to injuries involving bones, nerves and/or joints.
What’s involved in treating orthopedic trauma?
Many crash victims are first taken to a Level 1 trauma center for treatment. The first priority is saving a person’s life and getting them stabilized. This may involve emergency surgery to address life-threatening injuries.
This is often just the beginning. Depending on the type(s) of injury, a patient may require additional surgeries and an extended hospital stay. They’re typically watched closely to prevent infections and additional complications. Even after an initial hospitalization, a patient may require time in a rehabilitation facility followed by physical and occupational therapy.
What is complex polytrauma?
The term “complex polytrauma” is sometimes used when referring to orthopedic trauma. Complex polytrauma, as the name suggests, is when a person suffers serious injury to at least two parts of their body. This can occur in a truck crash, for example, if someone suffers fractures and serious burns or a traumatic brain injury and damaged kidneys. Two types of fractures that are particularly serious are axial skeletal fractures, which involve the vertebrae from the head down to the back, and pelvic fractures. The latter are common in high-impact accidents like truck crashes.
Extremity nonunion and malunion are two types of injuries that doctors who specialize in orthopedic trauma treat. Both can result in lifelong mobility problems if not treated properly. Extremity nonunion occurs when a fracture doesn’t fully heal. Malunion is when a fracture heals in a way that causes deformity.
Anyone who has suffered orthopedic trauma or has a loved one who has is dealing with an overwhelming situation. The prospect of hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and other costs can make it tempting to accept what may look like a large settlement from a trucking company or another at-fault party. It’s crucial, however, not to agree to a settlement without getting experienced legal guidance to better assess the long-term economic and non-economic damages at issue. Otherwise, victims could be left responsible for costs that should rightfully be shouldered by others.