Truck accidents are some of the most severe crashes we see on Arizona roads. The size and force of a semi-truck colliding with a smaller vehicle can leave victims with catastrophic injuries—including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Whether it's you or a loved one who has suffered a brain injury due to a truck accident, it can affect every aspect of your life.
Brain injury victims have recourse through the civil justice system, but these cases are often high stakes, and trucking companies will do everything possible to reduce or deny their liability. That's why if you or a loved one has suffered a TBI in an accident with a big truck, seeking legal help from an experienced Arizona truck accident lawyer is essential.
The risks of brain injuries in truck accidents
Truck accidents are dangerous due to the massive size and weight of semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, dump trucks, and other large commercial vehicles. When these crashes happen, several factors increase the risk of a brain injury, including:
- Size Discrepancy: A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger vehicle weighs around 3,000 pounds. This extreme difference means smaller vehicles absorb most of the impact, increasing the risk of serious head and brain injuries.
- Truck Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to drowsy driving, slowing reaction times, and increasing the chances of crashes that cause traumatic brain injuries.
- Distracted Driving: A trucker looking at their phone, adjusting the radio, or eating behind the wheel can fail to react in time to avoid a crash, leading to dangerous head-on or rear-end truck accidents.
- Drunk or Drugged Driving: Impaired truck drivers have slower reflexes and poor judgment, which can lead to devastating crashes.
No matter what caused the crash, the impact on the human brain can be severe and life-altering.
Types of truck accident brain injuries
Brain injuries from trucking accidents can range from mild to severe, with some leading to lifelong complications. The type of brain injury a victim suffers depends on the unique details of their accident. Some of the most common brain injuries caused by truck accidents are:
- Concussions: Among the most common brain injuries, concussions occur when a sudden impact or jolt causes the brain to move inside the skull. While some concussions heal with rest, repeated or severe concussions can lead to long-term cognitive problems.
- Contusions: A contusion is a bruise on the brain caused by direct impact. In severe cases, a contusion may require surgery to relieve pressure and prevent further damage.
- Hematomas: A hematoma occurs when blood pools outside blood vessels due to a head injury. Depending on its location and size, a hematoma can create dangerous pressure on the brain, requiring emergency treatment.
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI): This type of brain injury happens when the brain shifts rapidly inside the skull, causing tears in the brain’s connecting fibers. DAIs are often severe and can lead to long-term cognitive impairment or even coma.
- Hemorrhage: A brain hemorrhage occurs when blood vessels rupture due to trauma, leading to internal bleeding in the brain. If untreated, it can cause permanent brain damage or be fatal.
- Skull fractures: The impact of a truck accident can break the skull, increasing the risk of brain damage. Unlike other bones in the body, the skull cannot absorb much impact without putting direct pressure on the brain.
- Penetrating head injuries: In some cases, debris from the accident, such as shattered glass or metal, can penetrate the skull, causing direct damage to brain tissue.
Recovering from a traumatic brain injury can be a long and difficult road. That's why seeking medical attention right away is crucial—not just for your health but also for documentation that can help your potential legal claim.
How a truck accident lawyer can help after a brain injury
A brain injury from a truck accident can turn your life upside down, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Browne Law Group, we don’t back down from big trucking or insurance companies—we go all in to get and fight for the maximum compensation our clients deserve. Our truck accident attorneys have a proven track record of results, including a $1.6 million settlement in a trucking accident case.
We’re ready to take on the trucking companies and insurance adjusters so you can focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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