Head Trauma to Brain Damage: How Truck Accidents Impact Your Brain
The aftermath of a head injury can be very costly. Any serious traffic accident means substantial medical expenses, lost wages for missed time at work, pain and suffering, and the potential for long-term disability can result in a worsening financial headache. Unfortunately, these types of injuries aren’t as rare as you may think.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a major cause of death and disability in the United States. Out of all fatal and debilitating injuries that occur in the U.S., approximately 30% are directly related to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Even more surprisingly, one out of every three of these TBI cases is reported to be caused by major traffic collisions.
TBI Truck Collision Risks
Depending on the severity of the collision, TBIs can vary from moderate to extensive. However, the sheer difference in size between an 18-wheeler and a passenger vehicle makes truck accidents inherently more severe, which in turn increases the risk for severe brain injuries.
Following are some common head injuries that occur in truck accidents:
- Traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most devastating results from any accident. They occur when there is damage to the brain, skull, or scalp. Symptoms can be mild or severe. The most alarming fact: in some cases the symptoms of a brain injury do not appear immediately; instead, the injury silently worsens over time until it becomes life-threatening.
- Closed head injuries. Closed head injuries occur when a person’s head hits an object during the collision, but there is no outside damage. These are very difficult to diagnose because it can appear that there is nothing wrong at first. Concussions, bleeding, and swelling of the brain are the most common results of a closed head injury following collision impact. Anyone who has experienced a truck accident should be closely monitored for a closed head injury.
- Open head injuries. An open head injury occurs when a foreign object pierces the skull and exposes brain tissue. These injuries can be caused by impact forces cracking the skull, debris penetrating the head, or shrapnel deeply lacerating the skin and bone causing an opening into the brain cavity.
It is important to treat all of these injuries as quickly as possible to avoid any future complications or brain damage. The severity of possible injuries—not to mention the potential consequences—requires immediate action.
Getting Ahead of Head Injury Complications
If you are wondering how you’re going to pay for all of your medical bills, attorney Steve Lee may have the answer. Consider the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party—whether it was the driver, the manufacturer of the truck, or even the company responsible for performing maintenance on the vehicle. The liable party may be legally bound to help pay for your recovery.
In addition to compensation for your medical bills and lost wages, compensation may also be awarded for any permanent disabilities stemming from the accident, as well as ongoing care, pain, and emotional suffering.
For more information about your potential claims, or to schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation with a highly experienced truck accident attorney, call the office of attorney Steve Lee at 800-232-3711 or fill out the quick contact form on this page. Trust us; you’ll be glad you did.