A collision with an 18-wheeler is much different than a collision with a regular passenger car.
One of the biggest differences – no pun intended – is the sheer size of a tractor-trailer. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 20 times more than a compact car. Getting hit by something with that kind of mass creates a huge amount of force.
The human brain can be particularly vulnerable to that kind of trauma. Unfortunately, the damage caused to the brain by a collision with an 18-wheeler is not always immediately apparent.
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
Medical specialists will tell you that a traumatic brain injury does not necessarily require a loss of consciousness. A traumatic brain injury does not always show up on an MRI or CT scan. The effects of a traumatic brain injury can be subtle at first and are often missed by emergency medical personnel who are more focused on broken bones and internal bleeding.
That is why anyone who is involved in a truck crash in Iowa must be on the lookout for the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury.
Those symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Personality changes, including confusion, aggression, or irritability
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Trouble with concentrating
- Nausea or vomiting
If you or a loved one experiences any of those classic brain injury symptoms after a crash, the most important thing to do is immediately report them to a doctor. Most patients will not receive a full brain injury work-up – including referrals to specialists – if they do not report their symptoms to a medical provider.
Because of the subtlety of many traumatic brain injury symptoms, trucking companies often refuse to accept full responsibility for brain injuries that were not immediately diagnosed after a crash.
That is why it is important to speak to an experienced Iowa truck accident attorney if you or someone you love experiences classic brain injury symptoms after a crash.
What Harms and Losses Can You Be Compensated for in an Iowa Truck Crash?
A great accident lawyer should be able to explain the steps necessary to get fair compensation for losses like:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages – if you had to take time off work for medical treatment or healing
- Loss of future earnings – if you are not able to return to the job you did before the crash due to your brain injury
- Loss of normal function of the mind and/or body
- Physical or mental pain and suffering
It’s important to speak with an experienced Iowa semi-truck attorney after suffering a brain injury from a wreck with an 18-wheeler. Truck crashes are different from “regular” car accidents, and you need an attorney who can fight for fairness for you.
If you would like a free, no-obligation case evaluation for your Iowa truck accident claim, call RSH Legal today at 1-800-433-0283.
