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A large cargo tractor-trailer can be up to 60 feet long, weighing well over 30,000 pounds – and that’s before it’s loaded with cargo! Unsurprisingly, when a truck that large smashes into another vehicle, the injuries and damage that occurs can be catastrophic. Oftentimes during a truck accident, head and brain injuries can follow, which can have long-lasting effects depending on the severity of the accident. In this article, we explore the different head and brain injuries that happen after an oversized truck accident.
Depending on the severity of the collision, traumatic brain injuries can vary from moderate to extensive. Some of the most common head injuries that result from truck accidents are:
Traumatic brain injuries, referred to as TBIs in some articles on the subject, are some of the most devastating and shocking head injuries. When damage occurs to the brain, skull or scalp, a traumatic brain injury will occur. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the accident. It’s alarming to note, the symptoms of a brain injury do not appear immediately. Instead, the injury will silently worsen over time until it becomes life-threatening. This only shows how important it is to be checked by a doctor following a truck collision.
If a person’s head hits an object during a collision, but there is no outside damage, a closed head injury has likely occurred. These are very difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, it can appear like nothing is wrong at first. Bleeding, concussions, and swelling of the brain are the most common results of a closed head injury. Since results of a closed head injury may not show until later on, it’s important to have a doctor monitor the situation following a truck accident.
If an object propels into the skull and exposes the brain tissue, an open head injury occurs. These injuries can be caused by impact forces cracking the skull. Debris could also penetrate the head, deeply lacerating the skin and bone causing an opening into the brain cavity.
If you have recently been involved in a truck accident, we realize how overwhelming the process can be. In addition to compensation for medical bills and lost wages, you may be entitled to compensation for permanent disabilities stemming from the accident, as well as ongoing care, pain and emotional suffering.
If you have been the victim of a trucking accident, or know someone who was in an accident with a truck or tractor trailer, contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at Pope & Howard, P.C., to set up a consultation. Contact us via our online form or by phone: 404-885-9999.