Brain and Spine Injuries

Brain and spine injuries occur as a result of trauma to the head, neck, or back. In many cases, brain and spine injuries cause loss of neurological function. This can result in paralysis and other debilitating and permanent complications. The leading cause of brain injuries in the United States today is complications stemming from a motor vehicle accident. Many of these types of severe injuries happen as a result of tractor trailer accidents, as the enormous weight of the trucks have the power to cause more injury than most other vehicles.

Tractor Trailer Accident Brain Injuries

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1.7 million brain injuries occur per year. About 50,000 of those incurring a severe brain injury die from complications. Approximately 80,000 of the survivors develop permanent disabilities.

Detecting Brain Injury

Brain injuries can result in the loss of cognitive functions, can alter emotional well-being, and can have debilitating physical effects. Some of the symptoms of brain injuries may not be visible, and the sufferer may attribute the cause of these issues to other sources if unaware that a brain injury has occurred. All persons involved in tractor trailer accidents should be tested for signs of brain trauma. In some cases, death has occurred from complications stemming from brain injuries years after an accident.

Tractor Trailer Accident Spine Injuries

Center for Disease Control and Prevention Statistics show that roughly 11,000 new cases of spine injuries occur in the United States every year. As of 2013, about 273,000 people are estimated to be living with spine injuries. Many of these spine injuries are a result of accidents involving large trucks. When a large truck rolls over or jackknifes and a passenger car is hit or pinned, there is a higher probability of spine injury than accidents with smaller vehicles that carry less weight.

Spine Injury Complications

Spine injuries often cause life-altering changes, such as paraplegia and quadriplegia. Paraplegia is the loss of function in the lower extremities, including the legs. Quadriplegia is the loss of function of all four limbs. These types of injuries are considered to be complete spinal cord injuries, as the brain function is severed from the extremities. Incomplete spinal cord injuries may cause paralysis in different parts of the body, as well as respiratory problems and other complications.

Recourse for Brain and Spine Injuries

If a brain or spine injury has occurred as a result of a tractor trailer accident, an attorney should be contacted as soon as possible. These types of severe injuries will often incur costly medical bills and therapy. An attorney can help determine who is responsible for these costs.

Sources:

“Injury Prevention and Control: Traumatic Brain Injury.” Center for Disease Control and Prevention. USA.gov, 27 Mar 2013. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/statistics.html>.

“Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures at a Glance.” The University of alabama at Birmingham. National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, n.d. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/PublicDocuments/fact_figures_docs/Facts 2013.pdf>.

“Spinal Cord Injury Fact Sheet.” Center for Disease Control and Prevention. USA.gov, 04 Nov 2010. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/scifacts.html>.