Truck Accidents & Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a nondegenerative, noncongenital insult to the brain from an external mechanical force, possibly leading to permanent or temporary impairments of cognitive, physical, and psychosocial functions with an associated diminished or altered state of consciousness.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are often caused by tractor trailer accidents involving small passenger vehicles. TBI’s or head injuries are the result of sudden head trauma due to a truck accident. There are a variety of brain damage types that come as a result of traumatic brain injury accidents. Focal brain damage simply means that the damage is restricted to a certain area of the brain. Diffuse brain damage in an account is the result of damage to more than one area of the brain.
Brain injuries from a tractor trailer accident can be the result of an open or closed head wound injury. A closed injury can occur in a tractor trailer accident when the head is violently jerked into an object in the vehicle but the skull does not open. During a closed head injury accident there is still the possibility of the skin tearing. A open injury is the result of a penetrating injury caused by a tractor trailer accident when the skull breaks and often something enters the brain itself causing a severe and traumatic brain injury.
If you have been affected by a traumatic brain injury accident due to a tractor trailer accident you should seek medical attention immediately (whether open or closed). Traumatic brain injuries are extremely severe and can have long term effects on the victim, family, and friends. Call our lawyers today for a free, no obligation consultation at (800) 732-3070.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Medical Care for Traumatic Brain Injury Victims
At the scene of a tractor trailer accident the first emergency personnel to respond would be the emergency medical technicians and ambulance. The ambulance will then take the injured person to the emergency room after giving a quick run through of the victim’s vital signs. In case of severe and traumatic brain injury accidents, an ambulance might be substituted for an emergency helicopter to transport the victim.
Often times, victims of tractor trailer accidents suffer both brain and spinal injuries. Emergency medical respondents must stabilize the victim both mentally and physically before transporting them to advanced medical care.
When a head injury occurs, a medical professional will take great precaution in transport. Back boards and neck restraints are commonly used to immobilize the victim to prevent any additional injury (and in some cases prevent paralysis). Paralysis from a truck accident is possible especially due to spinal injuries. Paralysis is the complete or partial loss of voluntary movement due to failure of nerve impulses to reach the muscles involved.
When the victim arrives at the hospital, emergency professionals will perform imaging tests to diagnose the extent of brain injuries cause by the truck accident. Such tests include X-rays to look for skull fractures and penetration of the brain tissue. Computed tomography (CT) scans are used for concussions and other less severe brain and head injuries. CT scans will show the medical professional a series of snapshot images of the brain. The CT scan will show skull fractures, contusions, and swelling. A separate test called an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can also be used to assist in assessing the damage. MRI’s will show more detailed information than a CT scan.
Head and brain injuries are not exclusive on their own in a truck collision. Often victims that experience brain injuries are also affected by other damages to the body. If trauma to the chest occurs this can cause heart and lung disorders. A blow to the lower torso area might result in stomach, intestines, and kidney problems.
Traumatic Brain Injury Causes
Traumatic brain injuries are most often the result of a car accident, truck accident, or tractor trailer accident. The most common type of traumatic brain injury (and the least severe) is a concussion. A concussion is most commonly a closed wound head injury where the person losses consciousness for a short period of time. Concussions often leave the victim of a truck accident lying flat on the steering wheel. If fuel from the small passenger vehicle or truck catches fire, serious and fatal damages can result even with such a small head injury.
Skull fractures are another form of traumatic brain injury as the result of a tractor trailer accident. A skull fracture is a severe and open head injury where the brain suffers longer term damage. The skull is often cracked and exposed in such a truck accident blow. A depressed skull injury means that a part of the bony skull is pressed into a part of the brain tissue. A penetrating skull fracture is one in which a foreign object breaks through and enters the skull causing damage to the brain. A penetrating skull fracture can be the result of objects in or outside of the vehicle entering the brain often during a high speed crash.
Another form of traumatic brain injury due to a tractor trailer accident is a contusion. A contusion is caused by broken blood vessels in the brain and swollen brain tissue. Contusions can be the result of quick jerking of the brain which floats within the skull. When that quick shaking occurs as it does in a truck accident, the brain bounces off the front, back, and sides of the skull causing severe damage. Nerve cells and neurons in the brain can be affected by such force and cause long term affects to the accident victim.
Areas of the brain that can be affected by traumatic brain injury include the: parietal lobe, frontal lobe, occipital lobe, cerebellum, brain stem, and temporal lobe.
A traumatic brain injury might cause a variety of conditions including: actua brain injury, anoxia, balance problems, coma, concussion, contusion, dementia, head trauma, epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, penetrating head trauma, seizures, and or vision problems.
Brain Injury Resources
Brain Injury Condition Resources
- Fatigue
Substance Abuse and TBI (PDF file)
Free, No Obligation ConsultationThe lawyers at the McEwen Law Firm provide expert consultation, legal advice, and representation for persons injured in semi truck accidents. We’ve successfully accepted and resolved trucking injury cases nationwide. Our truck accident lawyers, paralegals, and legal professionals are trained to investigate, carefully handle, negotiate, prepare, and develop truck accident cases from start to finish. One of our truck accident attorneys, Peter Kestner has extensive experience with truck accident cases, both as a private attorney and representative for trucking companies. His intimate knowledge of the truck industry, and the Federal regulations that govern it, give his current practice a unique edge—and his clients a distinct advantage. If you or someone you love has been in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering. Our law firm will help you navigate the legal process, from start to finish, from building a strong case to recovering the money you and your family deserve. To contact the McEwen Law Firm for a free consultation you can call us toll free at (800)732-3070 or contact a lawyer to get started with your truck accident lawsuit online. Our consultations are confidential and there is no obligation. The best part is – you won’t pay any fees unless we win your case. (800) 732-3070 |
