Commercial vehicle collisions are among the leading causes of serious head trauma – and in areas like Jacksonville, FL, when a crash involves a commercial truck or van, the consequences can be devastating. While head injuries may stem from falls, bike wrecks, or even assaults, vehicle accidents remain a top trigger for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) roughly 190 Americans died from TBIs each day in 2021, and as many as 14% of those fatalities involved a commercial truck or commercial vehicle crash.
If you or someone you love was hurt in such an incident here in Jacksonville, it’s vital to understand how a TBI can impact your life – and why choosing a dedicated traumatic brain injury lawyer matters.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external force – whether a blow to the head, a penetrating object, or a violent acceleration/deceleration – causes damage to the brain tissue and disrupts normal brain function. In commercial vehicle collisions, the magnitude of force and the size of the vehicles make these types of injuries particularly common and serious.
Damage may come from:
- an object striking the victim’s head
- a foreign object breaching the skull and entering the brain tissue
- violent shifting of the brain within the skull due to abrupt motion, common in high-impact crashes
No matter the mechanism, TBIs can dramatically alter physical health, cognitive function, emotional stability, and overall quality of life.
Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know
TBIs vary widely – from relatively mild concussions to catastrophic brain damage. Some common types include:
- Concussion – The brain slams against the skull’s interior after sudden motion or impact; frequently seen in vehicle collisions
- Hemorrhage (brain bleed) – A blunt force causes blood to collect within the brain or seep into brain tissue
- Hematoma – A clot that bursts a blood vessel inside the brain, forming a dangerous mass
- Penetration Injury – A foreign object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue, often causing extensive damage and heavy blood loss
- Diffuse axonal injury (shear injury) – The brain is violently shaken or rotated, tearing nerve connections; this type often arises in major commercial vehicle wrecks
- Coup-contrecoup injury – The brain strikes both sides of the skull during violent impact, producing dual-sided damage.
Each of these injuries can produce measurable structural damage and long-term functional impairment.
How do I know if I have a TBI?
Those impacted by a commercial truck crash often focus on broken bones or visible injuries – but TBIs can be hidden and may not manifest immediately. Recognizing symptoms early is key. However, you must be aware of the symptoms to identify them in yourself or those around you.
Here are some of the early warning signs of mild TBIs in the hours or days after a crash:
Do you know the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury?
- Persistent headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness or unusual fatigue
- Blurry vision, vertigo, ringing in the ears
- Changes in smell or taste
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Confusion, memory issues, difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
Moderate to severe TBIs are more obvious and require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of severe brain injury include:
- loss of consciousness for minutes or longer
- intense, persistent headache
- repeated vomiting or extreme nausea
- dilated pupils
- clear fluid draining from the ears or nose
- numbness or weakness in limbs
- slurred speech, agitation
- coma
Any neurological warning signs, regardless of severity, should be addressed as soon as possible.
Why do commercial vehicle crashes result in so many TBIs?
Crashes involving commercial trucks or vans often produce more forceful impacts and more complex liability issues – so the risk of TBI is higher. Here are key reasons:
- Size and stopping distance – Big rigs and heavily loaded vehicles need far more time and distance to stop. If another driver suddenly merges in front of them or cuts them off, the outcome is often catastrophic.
- Blind spots and maneuvering limitations – Delivery trucks, tractor-trailers, and service vehicles have significant blind spots called “no zones.” A turn, a lane change, or simply backing up can increase the chance of an impact with another vehicle
- Greater force in collisions – Bigger mass means bigger momentum. When a commercial vehicle strikes a smaller vehicle or pedestrian, the force transmitted to the occupant is often far greater. These factors combine to increase both the likelihood of a traumatic brain injury and the complexity of establishing fault and damage.
What should I do right after a commercial vehicle wreck?
If you’ve been in a commercial vehicle crash in Jacksonville and suspect a head injury:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t feel seriously hurt.
- Document the crash scene, collect vehicle and witness information, and preserve evidence.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers before speaking with an attorney.
- Contact Brooks Law Group, a local, experienced Jacksonville personal injury firm. We provide a free consultation to help you evaluate your options.
Remember, prompt action after an accident sets the foundation for maximum recovery.
Brooks Law Group is your trusted traumatic brain injury lawyer in Jacksonville.
If you’ve sustained a traumatic brain injury in a commercial vehicle accident in Jacksonville, you’re facing more than immediate medical bills. Long-term care, rehabilitation, lost wages, cognitive impairment, and quality-of-life changes may all apply. Brooks Law Group has extensive personal injury experience handling truck accidents and catastrophic injuries. Working with an experienced TBI lawyer ensures that you don’t accept less than you deserve. A knowledgeable traumatic brain injury lawyer understands the full scope of TBIs; a skilled truck crash personal injury lawyer knows how to hold trucking companies, drivers, and insurance companies accountable for large vehicle wrecks.
Traumatic brain injuries are serious and life-altering. Don’t face the aftermath alone. You need legal representation that understands both head trauma and large-scale vehicle liability. Our team at Brooks Law Group is ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve and to stand by you during the healing process. When you or someone you love is impacted by a commercial vehicle crash in Jacksonville, Look to Brooks.
