Imagine driving along a highway, and suddenly, a massive truck collides with your vehicle. In that harrowing moment, not only is the physical impact immense but so too is the potential for serious injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

TBIs occur when an external force, such as the one experienced during a truck accident, causes brain dysfunction. These injuries range from mild concussions to severe brain trauma and can be caused by a blow to your head or a jolt to the body that disrupts normal brain function.

In truck accidents, the prevalence of TBIs is alarmingly high due to the significant force involved. Trucks, given their size and weight, tend to cause more severe impacts compared to typical car accidents, leading to a higher risk of serious brain injuries.

The consequences of TBIs are not just physical; they also extend to the cognitive and emotional realms. Victims may face challenges like memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings, profoundly affecting their daily lives and relationships.

The Meaning of a Traumatic Brain Injury

A TBI is a complex injury with a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities. The impact on an individual's life can be profound.

TBIs occur due to a blow to the head that disrupts normal brain function. This can be due to a penetrating injury, such as a gunshot wound, or non-penetrating trauma, like being struck in the head during a car accident. The damage can range from mild, causing temporary issues, to severe, leading to permanent brain injury or death​​.

TBIs are a significant public health concern in the United States, being a leading cause of disability and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that in 2014, TBIs accounted for close to 3 million emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths. In that year alone, over 54,000 adults and 2,500 children died from TBIs​​.

Types of TBIs in Truck Accidents

In truck accidents, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can manifest in various forms, each with its own set of challenges and implications.

Closed Head Injuries

Closed head injuries are characterized by the brain being injured internally without any penetration of the skull. They typically result from rapid head movements caused by an external force or impact, such as truck accidents. These injuries are challenging to diagnose immediately because they don't involve visible skull damage but can be equally serious​​.

Subdural Hematoma

A subdural hematoma occurs when blood leaks from a torn blood vessel into the space below the dura mater, the outer membrane layer around the brain. This type of hematoma is common in head injuries and can be very serious.

The pooled blood can put pressure on the brain, leading to significant health issues like paralysis or death if not treated promptly. Subdural hematomas are categorized into acute, subacute, and chronic types, varying in development speed and severity​​.

Epidural Hematoma

An epidural hematoma involves blood collection between the skull and the dura mater. Normally resulting from a torn artery due to a skull fracture, this type of hematoma can be life-threatening.

It puts pressure on the brain, causing further injury. Symptoms can include severe headaches and loss of consciousness, necessitating emergency surgery. Epidural hematomas can be fatal in up to 15% of cases if left untreated​​.

Contusions/ Bruising Of The Brain Tissue

Brain contusions are essentially bruises on the brain tissue resulting from a direct impact on the head. These are common in high-impact vehicle collisions, including truck accidents.

Contusions can lead to bleeding beneath the brain tissue and, in severe cases, may require surgical intervention to remove the accumulated blood​​.

Open Head Injuries

Open or penetrating brain injuries occur when the skull is compromised and an object, such as glass or metal from the accident, pierces the brain. These injuries are particularly critical and dangerous, resulting in extensive bleeding and swelling of the brain. Depending on the brain area affected, they can cause permanent brain damage and, if not treated immediately, can be fatal​​.

Penetrating Brain Injuries

Similar to open head injuries, penetrating brain injuries involve a foreign object entering the brain, causing direct damage to brain tissue. These injuries are among the most severe TBIs, leading to significant complications and often requiring immediate medical intervention.

Symptoms of TBIs after Truck Accidents

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) resulting from truck accidents can vary widely in their symptoms based on the severity of the injury.

Mild TBIs

Mild traumatic brain injuries can present with a range of symptoms that might not be immediately apparent as serious but can significantly affect daily functioning. These include:

  • Physical symptoms include dizziness and headaches, fatigue or drowsiness, nausea or vomiting, speech problems, or loss of balance.
  • Sensory issues include ringing in the ears, blurred vision, changes in the ability to smell, or a bad taste in the mouth.
  • Mental, behavioral, or cognitive symptoms include a state of being dazed, feeling anxious or depressed, brief unconsciousness or disorientation, memory or concentration problems, mood changes, and sleep disturbances​​.

Moderate TBIs

Moderate TBIs often include symptoms of mild TBIs, along with more severe indicators such as:

  • Physical symptoms include unconsciousness for several minutes to hours, persistent or worsening headaches, sleep difficulties, persistent nausea and vomiting, seizures, pupil dilation, and loss of coordination.
  • Cognitive or mental symptoms manifest as combativeness, profound confusion, agitation, unusual behavior, and slurred speech​​.

Severe TBIs

Severe TBIs are the most critical and can lead to long-lasting or permanent damage. Symptoms include:

  • Coma - A state of deep unconsciousness where you are unaware and unresponsive due to widespread brain damage.
  • Vegetative State - In this state, although you are unaware of your surroundings, you might make sounds, open your eyes, respond to reflexes, or make movements. This condition can sometimes become permanent, but progression to a minimally conscious state is possible.
  • Minimally Conscious State - This condition involves a severely altered consciousness with some signs of self-awareness or awareness of the environment. It can be a transitional state from a coma or vegetative state to greater recovery.
  • Brain Death - This is a state where there is insignificant activity in the brain and the brainstem, leading to the irreversible cessation of all brain functions. Once declared brain dead, removal of breathing devices results in the cessation of breathing and heart failure​​.

Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries

TBIs can lead to a wide range of long-term effects, which vary based on the injury's severity, type, and the affected brain area. These effects can persist for a long time or even become permanent.

Immediate Problems

Following a TBI, immediate medical complications can include blood clots, seizures, narrowed blood vessels, nerve damage, coma, stroke, and brain infections.

The likelihood of these complications is higher in severe TBI cases. While the risk of many of these problems decreases over time, some, such as seizures, may continue even after the person's condition stabilizes​​.

Longer-Term Effects

TBIs can lead to various long-term issues, affecting multiple aspects of brain function. These can include:

  • Cognitive Problems - Difficulties with learning, memory, decision-making, and reasoning.
  • Sensory Impairments - Issues like double vision, loss of taste, ear ringing, and pain or tingling.
  • Communication Difficulties - Problems with writing, reading, talking, and expressing thoughts or feelings.
  • Behavioral Changes - Challenges in relationships, social situations, self-control, and aggression.
  • Emotional Issues - Mood swings, anxiety, depression, and irritability are common among TBI survivors​​.

Degenerative Effects

Research indicates that experiencing one or more TBIs may increase the risk of later developing diseases that cause brain cell breakdown. There is evidence linking TBI to conditions such as:

  • Alzheimer’s Disease - Impairing memory, emotions, and thinking skills.
  • Parkinson’s Disease - This leads to problems with motor skills and controlling body movement.
  • Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy - Common in those with repeated TBIs or head impacts, causing motor skill, thinking, or memory issues​​.

Long-Term Outcomes Study

A study focusing on severe TBI patients over eight years post-injury revealed that frequent complaints included balance issues (47.5%), motor problems (31%), and headaches (36%). Cognitive complaints were more common, including memory (71%), slowness (68%), and concentration issues (67%).

According to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 25% had significant anxiety and 23.7% depression. Regarding disability, 19.8% remained severely disabled, 46.5% moderately disabled, and 33.7% recovered well.

48.7% of patients were employed for eight years, with 38% reporting a salary loss since their injury​​. TBI is a leading cause of persistent disability globally. About 10% of TBIs are considered severe, with a mortality rate of 39% and an unfavorable outcome rate of 60%. Survivors often live for decades with various cognitive, emotional, physical, and sensory disabilities​​.

Diagnosis and Treatment of TBIs

TBIs require prompt and thorough medical attention, with treatment approaches varying depending on the severity of the injury.

Medical Evaluation

TBIs are often emergencies, necessitating rapid assessment and intervention. The Glasgow Coma Scale, a 15-point test, is used to evaluate the initial severity of a brain injury, focusing on the ability to follow directions, eye and limb movements, and speech coherence.

The first test in an emergency for TBIs is often a Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan. CT scans use X-rays to create detailed views of the brain and can quickly visualize fractures, bleeding, blood clots, contusions, and brain swelling.

Another evaluation, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), utilizes radio waves and magnets to create detailed brain images and is typically used after stabilization of the patient’s condition or if symptoms persist​​.

Treatment

Treatment strategies for TBIs depend on the injury's severity:

  • Mild TBIs. Generally require rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. Monitoring at home for any persistent, worsening, or new symptoms is crucial.
  • Moderate to Severe TBIs. Involve emergency care to ensure adequate oxygen and blood supply, maintain blood pressure, and prevent further injury. Treatments may include:
    • Anti-seizure drugs to prevent additional brain damage from seizures.
    • Coma-inducing drugs to reduce the brain’s oxygen requirements.
    • Diuretics reduce fluid in tissues and brain pressure.
    • Surgery for hematomas, skull fractures, bleeding in the brain, or relieving pressure inside the skull.
  • Rehabilitation. Essential for significant brain injuries, involving a team of specialists like physiatrists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language therapists, neuropsychologists, social workers, rehabilitation nurses, TBI nurse specialists, recreational therapists, and vocational counselors. Rehabilitation aims to improve daily activity abilities and may start in the hospital and continue in various settings​​.

Long-Term Effects And Management

The long-term effects of TBI depend on the trauma's location and severity:

  • Damage to different brain areas can lead to problems like impaired reasoning, speech difficulties, visual information processing, balance issues, memory loss, and mood swings.
  • Rehabilitation for long-term effects includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and holistic care approaches. Exercise and movements that do not exacerbate symptoms are encouraged for neural recovery.
  • Long-term support is vital, with attention given to caregiver burnout. Support groups for survivors, family members, and caregivers offer a sense of community and ongoing assistance, including covering costs for therapy and specialized equipment if insurance runs out​​.
  • Diagnosing and treating TBIs is a complex and multidisciplinary process, requiring a combination of medical expertise, advanced imaging techniques, and comprehensive rehabilitation and support services. Understanding these aspects is crucial for effectively managing TBIs and facilitating recovery and adaptation to life post-injury.

Seeking Compensation for Traumatic Brain Injuries

If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI as a result of a truck accident, you could receive the following damages:

Economic Damages

Economic damages represent the tangible, quantifiable losses due to the accident. These typically include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost Wages And Income
  • Total property damage
  • Potential future costs

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intangible losses that significantly impact your quality of life but do not have a direct monetary value. These include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages differ from economic and non-economic damages as they are not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the at-fault parties for their reckless actions. They serve as a deterrent to prevent similar negligence in the future.

Determining Liability for Truck Accidents

Unlike your average car accident, truck accidents involve many potential parties to hold accountable. Possible liable parties include:

Truck Driver

When you think of a truck accident, the driver often comes to mind first. And rightly so. If a trucker's lapse in judgment or attentiveness - think fatigued driving or checking their phone - leads to an accident, they are on the hook.

Truckers also shoulder responsibility for their vehicle's upkeep and securing the cargo. A poorly secured load or neglected maintenance can be just as culpable for causing an accident. However, a truck driver’s insurance might not cover all your losses.

Trucking Companies

Trucking companies often try to sidestep liability by playing the ‘independent contractor’ card. But do not let this deter you. Courts scrutinize various factors to see through this façade. They look at how much sway the company has over the driver’s operations. Do they dictate the driver's schedule? Can the driver work for others? How are they paid? These details can reveal a lot about the true nature of their relationship.

Interestingly, federal regulations add another layer. If a truck sports a company's placard, that company is accountable for accidents, irrespective of the driver's employment status. However, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule across all states.

Cargo Loaders

Sometimes, the cause of an accident lies in the cargo itself. The party responsible for this task could be liable if a mishap occurs because of how the cargo was loaded or secured. Imagine a scenario where the cargo shifts mid-journey, leading to a catastrophic event. In such cases, the spotlight turns to the cargo loaders.

Vehicle Manufacturers

What if the accident stemmed from a mechanical failure? Say a tire blows out, or there’s a glitch in the steering mechanism. Here, the trail might lead to the manufacturer of the truck or its parts. A defect in design or production can be grounds for holding them accountable.

Local Governments

Even local governments can be implicated. If a road design or maintenance flaw played a role in your accident, the responsibility might lie with municipal authorities or contractors. Think of potholes, poor signage, or problematic roadwork setups.

California Laws For Personal Injury Liability

In California, personal injury law addresses many situations where individuals suffer harm due to the actions, negligence, or intentional behavior of others.

Here, personal injury encompasses physical, emotional, or psychological damage. This includes injuries from diverse incidents such as vehicle accidents, slips and falls on properties, medical malpractice, product liabilities, and workplace accidents.

Under California personal injury law, the statute of limitations generally allows victims two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. However, there is a notable exception to the "discovery of harm" rule, which applies when the victim becomes aware of the injury later.

When it comes to damages, while economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages are not capped, non-economic damages for pain and suffering are typically limited to a multiplier of the economic damages received.

California adopts a comparative negligence approach, allowing for the allocation of fault and compensation proportionately among all involved parties. This means that if multiple parties share the blame, their liability and potential compensation are determined based on their degree of fault.

Find a Truck Accident Attorney Lawyer Near Me

The repercussions of TBIs in California truck accident cases are profound and multifaceted, impacting not just the physical well-being of the victims but also their emotional and financial stability.

If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI as a result of a truck accident, it is imperative to take the necessary legal steps to safeguard your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

At the Truck Accident Injury Attorney Law Firm, we understand the challenges of truck accidents, especially TBIs, and the needed treatments. Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support to those affected by TBIs due to truck accidents.

By choosing our experienced personal injury attorneys, you are receiving legal representation and gaining advocates who will tirelessly work to ensure your case is handled with the utmost care and professionalism. You can contact us at 888-511-3139 to schedule a consultation.