Traumatic Brain Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents

Large trucks have the ability to cause many different types of injuries. However, one of the most severe injuries that truck accident victims often face is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). While cuts, broken bones, and whiplash are terrible injuries to suffer after a truck accident, a TBI is the hardest from which to heal. In fact, most individuals who experience a TBI after a truck collision often have complications and difficulties for the rest of their lives.

How common are TBIs?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were almost 70,000 deaths from TBIs in the United States in 2021. This adds up to about 200 TBI-related deaths each day. The main causes of TBIs in the U.S. are car and truck accidents, slip and falls, firearms, and assault or violence.

The two types of TBIs from truck accident

There are two different types of TBIs that individuals may experience after being involved in a truck accident, which are:

• Penetrating brain injury: A penetrating brain injury occurs when the skull is broken and the brain becomes pierced. An example of how this may happen during a truck accident is if the individual’s head strikes an object inside or outside the vehicle, a puncture wound or skull fracture may start to form.
• Closed brain injury: A closed brain injury is diagnosed when there are no breaks or openings in the skull. This is very common in truck accidents as the head and brain shake rapidly back and forth, causing tears and bruises to occur. These injuries often result from the sudden and powerful impact felt from a semi-truck, which forces the brain to press against the hard skull.

Both types of TBIs can lead to life-threatening consequences, such as infections, swelling, bleeding, and more.

What symptoms are usually present with a TBI?

A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is a big difference when compared to a 4,000 pound car. Therefore, the amount of force that a truck can cause during a collision with a small automobile is extremely powerful. This impact can make someone more susceptible to head injuries, including moderate to severe TBIs.

After a truck accident, it is highly recommended that individuals visit a physician immediately to make sure that they do not have a TBI. The physician will run a neurological examination; if it’s a penetrating injury, the doctor may order imaging tests to see the extent of the physical damage. The physician will also learn about the victim’s symptoms. Here are some of the symptoms people may experience if they have a TBI:

Headaches Tiredness Nausea Vomiting Feeling dizzy Blurry vision Ringing in the ears Odd or strange tastes Confusion

Loss of consciousness Memory problems Inability to focus or concentrate Feeling weak Communication or speaking issues Depression Anxiety Mood swings Irritability

If you do not see a doctor as quickly as possible after a truck accident, you can put yourself at risk of suffering a secondary brain injury. These brain injuries typically develop within hours or days of a primary brain injury and are often deadly. It is crucial that you seek medical advice to ensure that you do not have a TBI after being involved in a truck accident.

Why do truck accidents occur?

Truck accidents can occur for a variety of different reasons. Even though you may be driving very safely and carefully, the careless and reckless actions of others can lead to devastating crashes and life-long consequences. The following are some of the most common causes of truck accidents:

• Truck driver errors and negligence
• Trucking company negligence
• Defective parts
• Negligence by third-party drivers
• Overloaded or imbalanced cargo
• Road defects and/or dangerous road design
• Improper or inadequate maintenance of the truck/fleet
• Hazardous weather

If you believe that negligence played a role in your truck accident, call a truck accident lawyer from Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. to learn about recovering compensation for your losses as soon as possible.

How a TBI can impact a truck accident victim’s life going forward

There are serious implications to TBIs that can be lifelong. Not all brain damage can be repaired (though news studies about brain cells in the hippocampus and subventricular zone prove promising). Instead, the damaged cells must learn how to reroute or rewire information from the brain to other areas of the body in different ways.

Individuals with TBIs may spend months or years in rehabilitation before they know the extent of their injuries and how likely they are to recover. They may need to participate in lifelong treatment plans that teach them how to cope and carry out their daily obligations in new ways. In folks with severe brain trauma, this type of recovery may never be possible, necessitating life-long care for the victim.

If you are recovering from a TBI after being involved in a truck accident, please do not hesitate to reach out to Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. today. Our team is experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable when it comes to these types of cases, and we will advocate for the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys are available and ready to assist you at our multiple office locations across Maryland.