Tractor-trailers roar down California highways and fill rest stops throughout the area. Since they are 20 to 30 times heavier than passenger vehicles, even a collision at a low speed can cause significant damage to a car and devastating injuries to the passengers. At Sumner Law, we often represent clients who sustain injuries or lose a loved one due to trucking company negligence.
According to Family Caregiver Alliance, the effects of traumatic brain injury can vary depending on the severity and area affected by the injury. In the aftermath of an accident, you may not notice small changes in the attitude or demeanor of the injured person. Also called an invisible injury, it is not always clear that a TBI victim requires ongoing treatment. Behavior problems are often stressful and may require that you adapt your expectations of the newly impaired person.
Personality changes are common, even in those who make a satisfactory recovery. Certain personality traits may become intensified or change completely. A cheerful, outgoing person may become introverted and sad after TBI.
Short-term and long term memory may also become uncertain. In some cases, learning and retaining new information is challenging or impossible. A person who used to multitask may have to focus on one task at a time with no distractions such as noise from a conversation, music or television.
Brain injuries can result in a person becoming emotionally flat. They may not show appropriate responses, such as laughing or crying. Some people may not experience any emotion at all, or they can become volatile.
Depending on the severity of the injury, your loved one may require rehabilitation, therapy and daily assistance for the rest of their life. If the accident is due to the negligence of a commercial driver, an experienced attorney can help you get the compensation necessary to pay for the medical bills and related expenses. Visit our webpage for more information on this topic.