Truck accidents are among the worst on Louisiana roads. Because of their larger size and mass, a truck can slam into an automobile with devastating force during an accident. It’s not uncommon for a big truck accident to result in serious, life-changing injuries. One of the most severe injuries that can result from a truck accident is a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Car and truck accidents are a leading cause of TBIs. During an accident, a victim’s head can be violently jerked or shaken, striking the interior of the vehicle. or even become impaled by an object inside the vehicle, resulting in serious injury. The type and severity of a TBI depends on where the skull was hit, how hard it was hit, and by what type of object. 

Consequences of a Brain Injury Caused by a Truck Accident

Symptoms of a TBI can include:

  • Unconsciousness
  • Swelling and pain
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Confusion
  • Memory loss
  • Seizures
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Persistent headaches
  • Blurred vision and other vision problems
  • Loss of coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Mood swings
  • Wide or dilated pupils

It’s important to seek medical treatment immediately following a truck accident, especially if you bumped your head. Symptoms of a TBI may take days to make themselves felt. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome.

TBIs range in severity from minor to life-threatening. There are two categories of TBIs:

  • Closed brain injuries
  • Penetrating brain injuries

Closed brain injuries occur when the head is violently shaken, damaging the brain tissue and blood vessels inside the skull. Penetrating injuries, also known as open head injuries, occur when there is an actual break or fracture in the skull.

The most common type of truck accident-related TBIs include: 

  • Brain hemorrhages: Ruptured blood vessels in the brain
  • Concussions: A change in brain function caused the brain hitting the inside of the skull
  • Contusions: Bruising and swelling of the brain tissue
  • Coup-contrecoup brain injury: The force of impact causes the brain to slam into one side of the skull and then strike the opposite side of the skull
  • Diffuse axonal injury: Damage to the axons of the brain cells makes them unable to function
  • Edema: Swelling of the brain
  • Hematoma: Blood pooling in the brain due to ruptured blood vessels
  • Penetrating brain injury An object pierces the skull and enters the brain
  • Second impact syndrome: Damage caused by suffering a second TBI

Consequences of TBIs

A TBI can be a life-changing event. The brain is central to our functioning; any damage, whatever the reasons, can have devastating results. TBIs can create:

  • Cognitive problems, including confusion and memory problems.
  • Communication problems, including difficulties in speaking and understanding speech, as well as reading and writing.
  • Functional problems, including problems with eating, dressing, bathing, driving, shopping, etc.
  • Health problems, including fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.
  • Motor function problems, including poor balance, tremors, poor coordination, and paralysis.
  • Personality changes, including apathy, anxiety and depression, lack of motivation and disinhibition.
  • Sensory problems including changes in vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

The physical and mental effects of a TBI could make it difficult to hold a job, perform everyday tasks, and engage in social relationships.

TBIs and Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can occur for a number of reasons. Bad weather, driver distraction, driver fatigue, and poor vehicle maintenance are just a few of the causes of a truck accident that can result in a traumatic brain injury.

If the accident was the result of negligence on the part of a truck driver, trucking company or truck part manufacturer, the victim may be able to seek compensation for the damages caused by their TBI, including current and ongoing medical expenses, lost wages and employment, as well as pain, suffering, and mental anguish. 

How a New Orleans Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

A truck accident can change your life in an instant. A TBI resulting from a truck accident could make it impossible for you to work or even engage in normal everyday activities. Unfortunately, most people lack the resources to deal with the consequences of a long-term, debilitating TBI. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident, you may be able to obtain the resources you need by filing a personal injury claim against the party or parties responsible for your TBI.

This is an instance where you need the services of an experienced personal injury attorney. Truck accidents are some of the most challenging of personal injury cases. A personal injury attorney can also help you assess and appoint a dollar value to your damages, as well as determining what parties to hold liable. They have the resources and skill to fully investigate your claim.

The New Orleans truck accident attorneys at Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso are here to see you get the total compensation you deserve for your truck accident-related injuries. We’ve been helping injured victims of all types of accidents for over 40 years. During that time we’ve secured over a billion dollars in settlements for our clients.

Contact the law offices of Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso today to schedule a free, initial consultation to discuss your truck accident-related TBI.