Trucks are larger than cars which makes trucking accidents more severe. Usually, truck accidents will involve serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs can occur when your head strikes an object, or sudden trauma causes your head to shake violently.
Depending on the force, the resulting brain injury may vary from mild (slight swelling, bruising) to serious (brain herniation, skull fractures). Unfortunately, despite the devastating consequences of a brain injury, the signs and symptoms of brain injury may not be apparent immediately after a truck accident.
Here are some of the common symptoms of a brain injury.
Physical symptoms
Traumatic brain injury can cause a range of painful physical symptoms. However, because of the shock after a truck accident, it may take some time to notice these signs. Frequent headaches, especially those that reoccur, are a major sign that something is wrong. Other physical signs of traumatic brain injury include:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Ringing in the ears
- Losing consciousness
Cognitive symptoms
Beyond physical pain, brain injuries can also cause various cognitive complications. For example, if you or a loved one suffers a brain injury after a truck accident, you may experience some difficulties balancing, focusing or speaking. In addition, you may suffer from sudden memory loss, making it difficult to hold down a job and function day to day.
Emotional symptoms
Truck accident victims usually show cognitive and physical signs of brain injuries. These symptoms can affect how victims socialize, their relationships and their quality of life.
Some of the emotional brain injury complications include:
- Mood swings
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Depression
Fortunately, your physician can prescribe medications and therapies to address these complications.
You may feel confused and angry if you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident that causes traumatic brain injury. A brain injury can affect your relationships, quality of life and ability to earn a living. For these reasons, it’s vital that you receive immediate health care. You may also pursue compensation if you’re worried about the skyrocketing costs.