The human body is an amazing mechanism but it was never meant to absorb the energy resulting from impact with an interstate truck. Accidents with big-rig trucks injure thousands of drivers and riders every year. Chances of head, neck, and spinal injuries from a trucking-related traffic accident are high. The violent impact of the massive size, weight, and momentum of a commercial truck on a smaller vehicle all make these accidents almost always catastrophic.
As an attorney who represents clients in Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois, every day I fight for truck accident victims to gain the compensation they and their families deserve.
Effects of Truck Accidents on Drivers and Riders
Serious Head Injuries.
Those who survive a catastrophic truck accident frequently suffer more than broken bones, cuts, and bruises. They often suffer horrific head trauma and neck injuries from contact with the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, or the deployed airbag. If symptoms of head trauma are not recognized and treated quickly, they can have a devastating impact on the rest of your life.
Head trauma from an accident that involves a truck, essentially, involves three separate processes at work to damage the brain – bruising or bleeding, tearing, and swelling. In a sudden and violent collision, the soft tissue of the brain is pushed against the hard bone of the skull. As a result, the brain tissue is squished against the bone of the skull, and blood vessels may rupture.
When blood vessels burst and tear, they release blood into sections of the brain in an uncontrolled and unusual manner. A flood of blood within the brain causes injury and, often, detrimental cognitive symptoms.
Brain Bleed.
The major problem of a flood of blood in the brain is there is no room for this extra blood. Being bone, the skull is incapable of expanding. So, the blood begins to press on other areas such as the softer brain tissue. Brain tissue is very delicate and will malfunction and stop working completely. With excessive amounts of bleeding in the brain, the additional pressure will make critical areas of the brain stop working and limit vital functioning such as breathing or heart rate.
Symptoms.
You needn’t suffer a loss of consciousness to suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Symptoms may include a headache (especially at the base of the skull), dizziness, nausea, fatigue, changes in eating or sleeping habits, memory loss, and sensitivity to light and audio stimulus. Signs may also include vertigo, numbness, tingling down the arms into the fingers, and fatigue.
Interpretation and Pursuit.
Victims of serious injuries involving trucks need an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure their rights are protected and they receive appropriate compensation for their injuries. In addition to pain, suffering, and loss of functionality, there is an enormous emotional impact on the victim and family.
Responsible parties may include the truck driver, cargo loaders, the trucking company, equipment manufacturers, other negligent drivers, and even government entities. It is a very complex process.
Chicago Truck Accident Attorneys. We Help Victims.
The attorneys at Friend, Levinson & Turner and I are knowledgeable and expert in the complex nature of these types of truck accidents. We know your rights and the applicable laws. We are your advocates.
Injuries from truck crashes are complex. Big corporations, trucking firms, and insurance companies rely on professional adjusters to negotiate. In order to deal with these professionals, you need a highly trained, skilled attorney to protect your rights. We are experts at negotiating with powerful insurance companies. 50 years of experience counts.
We make the legal process as stress-free as possible. We focus on recovering compensation for you – while you concentrate on your physical and emotional recovery.
If you or a loved one is injured in a truck accident, please call my office or email me.
