Semi-truck and 18-wheeler crashes are among the most severe accidents that happen on Texas roads. Unfortunately, they are also prevalent. In 2018 alone, large trucks were involved in more than 5,000 fatal crashes. For many other truck accident victims, recovery mandates surgery and extensive medical treatment.
Sadly, surgery can present a substantial financial obstacle for many Texans. To learn more about dealing with the cost of truck accident surgery and how to hold the person at fault accountable, call the Houston truck accident lawyers at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. Free consolations are available, and there is no fee unless you recover compensation: (281) 283-8500.
Types of Surgeries After Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries. Each of these involves a distinct recovery process and potential surgery. Here are some of the most common surgeries after a truck accident:
Spinal Fusion
In spinal fusion, a surgeon fuses two or more of your vertebrae. This surgery is often done after truck accidents to help reduce back pain or stabilize the spine after removing a herniated disc. According to a 2020 study, the average cost of a simple, uncomplicated spinal fusion surgery was $22,890.
Stopping Internal Bleeding
Surgery to stop internal bleeding after a severe truck accident will vary, depending on where the bleeding is in your body. Here are a few types of surgeries used to stop internal bleeding:
- Fasciotomy: This is meant to stop internal bleeding in the thigh.
- Craniotomy: This surgery is used to stop internal bleeding in the head or brain.
- Thoracotomy: Bleeding near the heart or lungs could require this surgery.
- Exploratory laparotomy: This surgery involves a large cut into your stomach to stop any leaking blood vessels.
While these surgeries’ costs can vary greatly, they would all be considered emergency surgeries that require a hospital stay while you recover. The average cost of a stay in the hospital for three days is roughly $30,000.
Surgery for Broken and Fractured Bones
When bones are severely broken or fractured in truck accidents, surgery is often required. A surgeon must bind the broken bones together using screws inside the bones. In addition to being extremely painful, this procedure is costly. Fixing a broken leg can easily exceed a $7,500 price tag.
Reconstructive Surgery
High-speed impacts with large vehicles like trucks can cause severe disfigurement. To fix this, you may need reconstructive surgery. According to aggregated reviews from patients who received facial reconstructive surgery, this procedure’s average cost is just under $10,000.
Brain Surgery
If you suffered a traumatic brain injury in a truck accident, you might have bleeding or fluid putting pressure on your brain. To save your life, a surgeon might have to cut a hole in your skull to relieve the pressure.
The costs of surgery for brain injuries after accidents can vary widely. But Northwestern University estimates that the lifetime care cost for a brain injury can range between $85,000 and $3 million.
How Do I Pay for Surgery After a Truck Accident in Texas?
As you can see, the cost of surgery after a truck accident is enormous. But the above estimates do not take into account the cost of anesthesia, ambulance rides, or follow-up care. So how do you cover the cost of surgery after a truck accident?
If the accident was not your fault, Texas law might have you covered. You may be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation from the party who caused your crash. In truck accidents, this party is most often the truck driver or trucking company.
Filing a truck accident lawsuit is not easy, though. The at-fault party and the insurance company will do everything they can to avoid paying you what you are owed.
For Help, Call The Krist Law Firm, P.C.
After a truck accident, the cost of surgery can leave your life in more chaos than the accident itself. But there is hope after a truck accident. You can file a legal claim to recover compensation that will cover your surgery and the other damages you suffered.
For help with that, reach out to the experienced truck accident attorneys at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. With our record and reputation in and out of court, we know how to get results. Call (281) 283-8500 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.