Due to their massive size and weight, commercial trucks can cause some of the most catastrophic injuries in an accident. The occupants of a passenger vehicle are most likely to bear the brunt of the impact, often suffering severe, life-threatening injuries, while the truck driver may walk away with minor injuries. Among the most devastating and life-altering injuries are those to the spinal cord and brain.
If you have sustained a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a truck accident, it is highly recommended that you consult an experienced truck accident lawyer to help you navigate the claims process and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Are Common Spinal Cord Injuries?
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves and tissue that transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body. An injury to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, with the severity and location of the paralysis depending on where the injury occurred along the spinal column.
Common types of spinal cord injuries include:
- Complete Spinal Injury: This involves a total loss of nerve communication below the injury site. It results in a permanent loss of motor function and sensation, often leading to paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body) or quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs and the torso).
- Incomplete Spinal Injury: This is a partial injury to the spinal cord, where some nerve communication is preserved. Individuals with an incomplete injury may retain some motor function and sensation below the injury site, and there is often a greater chance of recovery.
- Herniated Discs: The immense force of a truck accident can cause a spinal disc to rupture, allowing its soft, gel-like center to push through the outer layer. This can compress nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness.
What Are Common Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?
In severe cases, such as those resulting in paralysis, the symptoms of a spinal cord injury are immediately obvious. However, other signs of spinal trauma may be more subtle and require immediate medical attention. These symptoms can include:
- Limited or reduced mobility
- Loss of sensation, numbness, or tingling in the extremities
- Pain in the neck or back
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty with balance or walking
- Weakness or paralysis in any part of the body
What Are the Most Common Brain Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents?
The extreme force of a truck accident can cause a wide range of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries can be caused by the head striking an object or by the brain rapidly shifting within the skull. Common types of TBIs include:
- Concussions: The most common form of TBI, a concussion is caused by a sudden impact that causes the brain to move within the skull. Symptoms may include headaches, confusion, memory problems, and sensitivity to light or sound.
- Contusions: A contusion is a bruise on the brain tissue, often caused by a direct blow to the head. Depending on the size of the contusion, it may cause bleeding or swelling and could require surgery.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): This type of injury results from the shearing of nerve fibers in the brain due to rapid acceleration and deceleration forces. DAI often leads to a coma or long-term cognitive impairment.
- Traumatic Hemorrhage: This refers to bleeding in the brain. Examples include subdural or epidural hematomas, where blood collects between the brain and the skull. This can cause dangerous pressure on the brain and is often life-threatening.
- Penetrating Brain Injury: These occur when an object, such as metal or glass from the crash, pierces the skull and enters the brain, causing direct damage to the brain tissue.
- Second Impact Syndrome: This is a rare and often fatal condition that occurs when a person suffers a second head injury before they have fully recovered from a previous one. The second impact can cause rapid and severe brain swelling.
How Do Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries From Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents?
While serious injuries can occur in any motor vehicle accident, truck accidents present a significantly higher risk of devastating brain and spinal cord injuries due to the sheer size and force involved. Key differences in these types of cases include:
- Severity of Injury: The immense weight of a commercial truck means that victims of a collision are more likely to suffer a complete spinal injury or a severe TBI, which can lead to lifelong disability and a greater need for extensive medical care.
- Complexity of Claims: A truck accident claim is often more complex than a standard car accident claim. Multiple parties may be held liable, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, or a third-party maintenance company.
- Need for Extensive Compensation: Spinal cord and brain injuries often require lifelong medical care, physical and occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, and specialized equipment. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help identify all at-fault parties and pursue the maximum compensation needed to cover these extensive, long-term costs.
Virginia Beach Truck Accident Lawyers at Anchor Legal® Pursue Justice for Victims of Truck Accidents
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord or brain injury in a truck accident, do not hesitate to contact our Virginia Beach truck accident lawyers at Anchor Legal®. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 757-LAW-0000 or contact us online. Located in Virginia Beach, we serve clients in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Eastern Shore, Virginia.