What Is A Mild TBI Caused By A Truck Accident In North Carolina?
Key Highlights:
- What Is A Mild TBI Caused By A Truck Accident In North Carolina? A mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to a truck accident in North Carolina is a traumatic brain injury that occurs as a result of a jolt, blow, or rapid deceleration (without an open head wound) resulting from a vehicle crash that disrupts normal brain function.
- A concussion from truck accident NC may not produce symptoms immediately. The development of headaches, brain fog, and/or vertigo could indicate that a victim of a truck accident in North Carolina has suffered a mild traumatic brain injury.
- The majority of victims of mild traumatic brain injuries from truck accidents recover relatively quickly. However, some victims develop post-concussion syndrome and experience neurological injury after truck accident NC for years.
- Because of North Carolina’s 1% contributory negligence rule, you may be barred from recovering any damages in a truck accident case even if you were injured. To secure fair truck accident head injury compensation North Carolina, you require a qualified truck accident attorney who has experience with this type of claim.
A collision with a large commercial vehicle is one of the most traumatic events a person can endure while on the highways of North Carolina. Although some of the most severe injuries are obvious (such as broken bones and lacerations), many of the most crippling injuries are deep in the skull and may not appear immediately following the crash.
At Tatum & Atkinson Law Firm, we have experience in identifying what is a mild TBI caused by a truck accident in North Carolina and how these brain injuries turn the victim’s everyday life upside down. Our truck accident brain injury lawyer North Carolina understands the many challenges that victims of commercial vehicle crashes face.
If you need assistance recovering from your truck accident injury, please call a trusted North Carolina truck accident brain injury attorney at (800) 529-0804 to schedule a free consultation.
What Is A Mild TBI Caused By A Truck Accident In North Carolina
When a passenger vehicle collides with an 18-wheeler or a semi-truck that is carrying its maximum load of cargo, a tremendous amount of force is exerted onto the passenger vehicle, and therefore, onto the occupants of the passenger vehicle. Here, knowing “what is a mild TBI from a truck accident in North Carolina” is important. From both legal and medical viewpoints, mild traumatic brain injury is a brain injury resulting from a forceful blow, a jolt or rapid deceleration, which disrupts normal brain function.
Commercial vehicle wrecks are often associated with head trauma; for example, the victim’s head strikes the steering wheel, window, or an airbag once it is deployed. The rapid force of whiplash can also cause the brain to move violently against the inside of the skull.
Even though physicians refer to injuries classified as “mild,” this does not mean they will not affect the person’s life in a very significant way. If you’ve sustained these types of injuries, consider contacting a North Carolina truck accident brain injury attorney who specializes in helping accident victims find their way through many complications associated with filing insurance claims.
Medical Classification: What is Classified as a Mild TBI?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is classified as “mild” in a medical setting if it produces any transient state of confusion, disorientation, or loss of consciousness that lasts less than 30 minutes; it also has to have a Glasgow Coma Scale score between 13 and 15 and post-traumatic amnesia that lasts no longer than 24 hours. The most common type of mild TBI is a concussion from truck accident NC.
Symptoms of Mild TBI After Truck Accident
Individuals can develop symptoms of mild TBI after accident that do not appear immediately. Symptoms may take days or weeks to appear. There is usually a combination of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. Some physical symptoms may include:
- Never-ending headaches that feel like throbbing or chronic migraines.
- Problems with balance, lightheadedness, or vertigo.
- Nausea and sensitivity to bright lights or loud noises.
- Brain fog (loss of brain functions like short-term memory) and being unable to concentrate on the task at hand.
- Increased irritation, anxiety, or rapid mood changes.
- Difficulty sleeping at night or sleeping a lot more than normal.
Recovery, Treatment, and Daily Life Limitations
In North Carolina, treating a mild traumatic brain injury truck accident North Carolina involves strict cognitive and physical rest under medical supervision.
How Do You Treat a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury?
Treatment for a mild TBI will begin with symptom management and no screen usage for the first few days after injury. Light activity may be performed; however, it will need to be initiated gradually and depend on individual symptoms. Specialized therapies (i.e., vestibular rehabilitation for balance, cognitive behavioral therapy for mood) will most likely be needed.
What to Avoid After TBI?
Following a traumatic brain injury, avoiding further injury whilst your body heals is very important; following a TBI, you should try to avoid the following:
- Engaging in high-impact sports, doing extreme or out-of-the-ordinary physical exercise, or doing heavy lifting.
- Spending excessive time on your phone, computer, or watching TV.
- Consuming alcohol, drinking more than four cups a day of caffeine, and taking non-prescribed medication.
- Participating in stressful activities that require mental focus.
Can You Drive with a Mild TBI and How Long Should You Wait?
No, you should not immediately drive after suffering a neurological injury after truck accident NC. A mild TBI can affect your reaction time, depth perception, and ability to make decisions, all of which can make it very unsafe for you to operate a vehicle. How long should you wait to drive again after having a TBI? You will need to wait until you are cleared by a neurologist or doctor who can tell you that your cognitive and motor functions have returned to a safe level for operating a vehicle.
Does a Mild TBI Go Away And What is the Recovery Rate?
For a lot of individuals suffering from mild TBIs, it’s safe to say that they will get better; that the outlook is positive and recovery is high (75-80%), with the majority of symptoms disappearing after three months.
However, that recovery doesn’t come so easily for everybody. Can people have long-term mild TBIs? Unfortunately, yes, as evidenced by a small percentage of patients who experience symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) after their concussion has healed, with symptoms persisting long after the initial physical trauma has healed. Additionally, if there are further stresses on or injuries to the brain, it can cause deterioration of function, resulting in chronic and progressive neurodegeneration from the original injury.
Legal Claims and Compensation in North Carolina
In order to successfully file a brain injury claim after truck crash, proof of definitive, objective evidence must be gathered. Since insurance adjusters often minimize “mild” diagnoses, the legal team will typically use expert witness testimony or advanced medical imaging as proof of the validity of the case.
Diagnostic Imaging and Legal Strategy
- Can MRI show old brain injury? Standard MRI and CT scans can often appear totally fine after a mild TBI since they are looking for large-scale structural damage like bleeding or tumors. However, specialized types of neuroimaging, such as Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) or a high-definition 3T MRI, may actually identify the microstructure of white matter tracks or evidence of a prior brain injury.
- Does MRI increase settlement? Yes, if your injury has been proven by objective diagnostic means such as an MRI or DTI scan, then the amount awarded in truck accident head injury compensation North Carolina is likely going to be considerably larger. This is due to the fact that having objective evidence will take away one of the main defenses that the truck insurance company can use, which is the accusation that you are making up the pain and suffering you are experiencing.
How Much is a Mild Concussion Settlement Worth?
If you have sustained head trauma from a truck accident, you may qualify to pursue a head trauma truck accident lawsuit and seek compensation. However, all lawsuits related to head trauma resulting from a truck accident are not calculated the same way. How much your settlement is worth depends significantly upon three main factors, which include:
- Medical: It takes into account the total costs of future and past neurological care.
- Financial Impact: Loss of wages or reduced ability to earn if unable to perform job duties.
- Quality of Life: How severely your ongoing symptoms impact your daily activities.
Commercial truck drivers typically have millions of dollars worth of liability coverage. So if you cannot work because of a permanent cognitive impairment caused by a commercial vehicle accident, you may be entitled to a large settlement. We have a North Carolina traumatic brain injury attorney at Tatum & Atkinson Law Firm who will thoroughly review your medical records to help you pursue every dollar of compensation you deserve under the law.
Protecting Your Future with Tatum & Atkinson Law Firm
It’s hard enough to navigate a truck accident, but if you have a traumatic brain injury, it can truly be overwhelming. In North Carolina, there’s a very strict contributory negligence law that states if the trucking company can show that you were even 1% responsible for your own injuries, you will not be able to recover any damages from the accident at all.
You shouldn’t have to deal with the corporate insurers by yourself when trying to prove that what is a mild TBI caused by a truck accident in North Carolina. Our experienced legal team operates on a “no win, no fee” basis, which means that you do not need to pay any out-of-pocket expenses for our services unless we get you damages.
Let us handle the legal aspects of your case so that you can focus on your recovery after your truck accident. Contact Tatum & Atkinson Law Firm at (800) 529-0804 and schedule your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions!
Can a truck accident cause a concussion?
Yes, truck accidents can definitely cause a concussion. The violent, high-speed collision with a commercial truck causes your brain to move back and forth within your skull, which can lead to rapid neurological damage.
Can I sue for a mild traumatic brain injury in North Carolina?
The answer to this question is yes; if a commercial truck driver or the trucking company were negligent and caused the accident, you would have the right to pursue a lawsuit to recover damages for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering.
What if brain injury symptoms appear days later?
Symptoms of brain injuries are often delayed. Factors such as adrenaline may delay the appearance of pain and swelling after a traumatic event, so if you notice any changes in your memory, mood, or coordination, you should immediately seek medical attention.
Are headaches after a truck accident a sign of brain injury?
Chronic (or worsening) headaches are one of the most common warning signs of a traumatic brain injury, and you should never ignore a post-accident headache. It could indicate serious, potentially life-threatening neurological damage that requires urgent medical attention.
Should I hire a lawyer for a truck accident concussion?
Yes, trucking companies hire aggressive lawyers to make sure that they pay out as little money as possible. By hiring a truck accident brain injury attorney, you can ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive a fair amount of compensation.
