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What Victims Of Truck Crashes Need To Know About Head Injuries

On Behalf of | Dec 8, 2015 | Traffic Accidents

Traffic collisions cause a number of different injuries, from minor to life-changing. When it comes to crashes involving large trucks, victims in smaller vehicles often sustain injuries that are very severe in nature, such as head injuries. In fact, one of the most common causes of head and brain injuries is motor vehicle accidents.

The scary thing about suffering any type of head trauma is that head injuries—even minor injuries—can permanently change someone’s life. This is why it is critical to seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible following a truck wreck and especially if a victim is experiencing any of the following symptoms.

Head Injury Symptoms to Watch Out For

  • Dizziness
  • Severe headache
  • Confusion and trouble remembering things
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Loss of coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Seizures
  • Eye and vision issues
  • Weakness in one side of the body or numbness in the extremities

Because semi-trucks are large and literally weigh a ton—40 tons, in fact—accidents involving big rigs can shake the head violently, or cause someone’s head to strike an object, or even throw an object into the air to penetrate someone’s head. As a result, a full spectrum of head and brain injuries can occur, from minor swelling and bruising to closed head injuries to open head injuries.

Understanding the Different Types of Head Injuries

  • Open head injury. An open head injury is when a laceration occurs or an object punctures the skull. In addition, many skull fractures are considered open head injuries, even though the brain may not be exposed to the external environment. When the skull fractures, it is possible for bone fragments to press in and penetrate the brain. Not only is there a concern of brain damage, but there is also the risk for infection that could spread into the brain or other parts of the body. 
  • Closed head injury. Because many people think there must be visible signs of a head injury, they often don’t realize they may have sustained a closed head injury in a crash. Although the skull remains intact, brain damage can still occur. This is because the brain can violently move back and forth inside the skull causing swelling, tearing, bleeding, and excess pressure to build up. When the brain suffers trauma in these ways, the outcome can be brain damage or a brain herniation that impair how the body functions.

The Significance of a Head Injury in a Truck Crash

When bleeding in or around the brain occurs and brain tissues are compressed or torn, the results are often brain swelling and too much pressure within the skull. Brain damage typically occurs as a result, and sometimes the damage to the head is so severe that a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the outcome. A TBI can result from either an open or a closed head injury.

A traumatic brain injury from a truck collision can lead to personality changes, behavioral troubles, and cognitive problems, as well as strokes, permanent brain damage, paralysis, and even death. Sadly, head and brain injuries following a trucking accident are often life-threatening and life-changing.

If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI in a truck accident or any type of head trauma as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Often, people with moderate to severe brain injuries will have to undergo extensive medical procedures, need lifelong medical care, and will likely never be able to work again—significantly impacting their economic status.

Because trucking companies and their insurers don’t want to pay large sums of money to victims of trucking accidents, it is critical to speak with an attorney who has experience in these types of cases and knows the trucking laws and what the case is worth. For help obtaining a fair financial recovery, please contact our law firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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