Traumatic Brain Injuries from Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are often devastating, resulting in severe injuries and life-altering consequences. One such injury is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can have long-lasting effects on the victim’s physical, cognitive and emotional well-being.

Your skull has a cushioning layer between its inner walls and your brain. This buffering layer is called the subarachnoid space. TBI occurs when your brain slams hard enough against the wall of your skull that your subarachnoid space is unable to effectively dampen the blow (closed), or when an object penetrates the skull and brain itself (open).

If you are involved in a serious collision, such as a truck crash, you may suffer a TBI. Consequences of TBI, though they may seem minor at first, can carry risk of lifelong physical and/or cognitive disabilities if left untreated.

How are traumatic brain injuries diagnosed?

Diagnosing TBI is a critical first step in ensuring appropriate medical care after your Phoenix truck accident. The diagnosis process should take place promptly after the incident and should involve a comprehensive assessment by a trained medical professional. Per the Mayo Clinic, this assessment should include:

• A review of your accident’s circumstances (the who, what when, where, and hows of the collision)
• Physical examinations and neurological tests to determine a Glasgow Coma Scale score
• Imaging scans such as CT scans or MRI

Not only is prompt diagnosis crucial to allow for timely intervention and prevents further damage to the brain, but it also provides essential documentation that your Phoenix personal injury attorney will need to build a strong case on your behalf against the negligent truck driver and/or the trucking company.

What are the common treatment plans after a TBI?

Treating TBIs, depending on the severity of your injury, can require a multidisciplinary approach to address the complex nature of your recovery. In the hours and days after your accident, whether immediate interventions were necessary or not, your doctor will review and analyze scans and tests to determine the extent of damage to your brain. Once any swelling has gone down and it is possible to see what the exact damage is, they can assess what long-term support you will need to best recover and prevent further injury. It is important to note, after a primary TBI, your brain is more susceptible to future TBIs. Speak with your doctor about how you can prevent further injuries with lifestyle adjustments.

In severe cases, immediate medical interventions such as surgery may be necessary to reduce swelling, remove blood clots, or repair damaged brain tissue. In these cases, it is more common that long-term rehabilitation regimens with qualified physical, occupational and emotional therapists may be necessary in helping regain lost functions and improve your quality of life after your trauma. These professionals may be helpful for less severe injuries as well.

While all of this treatment will be necessary for your best chances at recovery, you should speak with your experienced Phoenix truck accident attorney to decide how best to hold the liable party accountable for your injuries. These treatments will be expensive and that cost should be carried by the negligent truck driver and/or trucking company, not you.

What does the recovery process look like after TBI?

Recovering from a TBI can be a long and arduous process. Each victim’s recovery journey is unique and depends on various factors, including the severity of the injury, the effectiveness of treatment and your overall health. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the recovery process, enabling patients to relearn lost skills, regain independence and adapt to any permanent lifestyle changes that your truck accident might impose on you.

It is important to consider that emotional support and counseling may also be a critical long-term solution for you and your loved ones to cope with the psychological and emotional challenges that often accompany the trauma of a life-threatening truck accident.

Who is accountable for my injuries after a Phoenix trucking accident?

There may be multiple liable parties. The truck driver who drove negligently or recklessly, the trucking company that imposed unlawful drive hours, the manufacturer of a defective auto part, a third party altogether: any and all of these parties may be liable.

Why you want Plattner Verderame, P.C. on your side for your TBI case

For more than 30 years, Plattner Verderame, P.C. has offered honest counsel for honest folks throughout Arizona. We understand what challenges you face when you’re living with TBI, or caring for someone who is. We also know that in some cases, victims may succumb to their injuries even when they received the very best of care.

Our firm’s partners are both Board Certified by the Supreme Court of Arizona in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death litigation. If a trial is necessary to secure justice for you and your family, our team has the experience, skill, knowledge, and passion to represent you. We are advocates for the injured, and our goal is to ensure that you don’t face any additional hardships because of someone else’s negligence. We have secured millions of dollars in recoveries for clients living with the effects of TBI, and we know how to build a successful case.

At Plattner Verderame, P.C. we help people. You don’t have to take our word for it, either.

Plattner Verderame, P.C. handles cases on a contingency fee basis. If your case does not settle or result in a favorable verdict, you owe us nothing. Call or contact us today to set up your free consultation at either of our convenient Phoenix or Tempe offices.