Semi-trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded, and when one collides with a much smaller passenger car, massive forces transfer directly to the car and its occupants. The impact of a semi-truck crash can send a car occupant bouncing around the interior, likely hitting the airbag or hard surfaces. The crash can cause a jolt to the occupant’s head that could lead to a concussion even if the person’s body doesn’t slam into anything.
Concussion injuries are among the most common injuries in semi-truck accidents, and the health implications can be life-changing.
How Concussions Happen in Semi-Truck Accidents
A concussion happens when the brain collides with the hard interior of the skull. Brain tissue can tear or swell, and brain bleeding is common. While blunt trauma is the cause of many concussions, you don’t necessarily have to hit your head to suffer one. The concussive force of a truck hitting a car can cause a person’s head to whip back and forth, and the brain can slam against the skull as the head moves.
Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the damage they cause to brain tissue can be permanent.
Signs of Concussion After a Semi-Truck Accident
Some of the most common signs of concussion after a semi-truck accident include:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Blurry vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Persistent headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Confusion and difficulty concentrating
- Loss of consciousness
- Trouble talking or walking
More severe concussions may cause the victim to lose consciousness for minutes or hours or even fall into a coma. It’s common to have no memory of the moments before and after the collision and injury.
Importance of Seeking Medical Attention After a Truck Accident
Head injuries in semi-truck accidents can be severe, and the chance of re-injuring yourself after a concussion and suffering severe brain damage is high if you don’t get proper medical care. Stress-free rest is the most common treatment for concussions, which usually includes not working or doing schoolwork.
Avoiding later blows to the head is critical to preventing further brain damage. Some people who suffer moderate to severe concussions may need occupational or speech therapy to regain their abilities or to learn new ways of accomplishing the activities of daily living, like personal care, writing, and cooking meals.
Be aware of the danger signs of a moderate to severe concussion that could be imminently life-threatening. They include sudden changes in behavior, seizures or convulsions, and an onset of vomiting or nausea. If you start exhibiting these symptoms or see a loved one do so, seek immediate emergency medical attention.
How Our Attorneys Can Help with Your Case
Victims have the right to seek compensation for medical care after trucking accidents and concussions, as these injuries may require extensive and expensive specialty medical treatment. Your settlement can include compensation for these and other losses you suffer, including diminished quality of life caused by concussion-induced brain damage.
The attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC want to help you demand the full compensation you deserve for a concussion in a semi-truck crash. You can learn more in a free consultation with one of our lawyers. Contact us today to get started.
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