By Dan Noll on December 29th, 2023 in Semi-Truck Accidents
Understanding the Different Types of Concussions After a Trucking Accident in Illinois, Explained by Experienced Trucking Accident Lawyers in Springfield
One of the most common head injuries after a motor vehicle accident is a concussion. This is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, and it can be significant, long-lasting effects on a victim. Unfortunately, concussions are more common than most people believe – especially in trucking accidents. According to statistics, there are roughly 215,000 TBI-related hospitalizations and almost 70,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States each year. Motor vehicle accidents are the second-leading cause of all TBIs, especially large 18-wheeler wrecks that result in a powerful impact that could cause a concussion. There are many different types of concussions after a trucking accident in Illinois, all which could result in serious personal injuries or fatal harm. Although some healthcare providers may diagnose concussions by grade, including as “mild,” the experienced trucking accident lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office know that there is no such thing as a mild concussion or brain injury, and all head injuries should be evaluated by an experienced legal team.
At the Noll Law Office, their compassionate and experienced team understands how devastating that head injuries such as a concussion could be to victims and their families. That’s why they offer victims a FREE consultation and case evaluation, where they can learn more about their rights to compensation under Illinois law. Unlike other personal injury law firms in Illinois, the Noll Law Office handles cases in-house, instead of referring cases out to younger lawyers. The Noll Law Office has also developed an extensive network of leading experts to help prove liability and damages, as well as having built a strong reputation with local medical providers. To get started, call our personal injury law firm today by dialing (217) 414-8889.
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury which is defined as a brain injury caused by an impact to the head. This impact could be in the form of a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body which causes the head to move, or it could be caused by a violent and rapid whiplash-like motion. Concussions can cause physical damage to the brain and its tissue, or it could cause chemical changes due to swelling or bleeding on the brain.
Generally, concussions are classified into three grades. These three grades relate to the severity of the concussion. The different grades include the following:
Grade 1 – no loss of consciousness (LOC) and no amnesia or amnesia for less than 30 minutes; generally no signs of injury in medical imaging; and some symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and related symptoms
Grade 2 – LOC for less than five minutes or amnesia between 30 minutes to 24 hours; some signs of injury in medical imaging; more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and also memory loss
Grade 3 – LOC for more than five minutes or amnesia for more than 24 hours; significant findings in medical imaging; headaches, dizziness, nausea, memory loss, difficulty focusing, light sensitivity, and other disabling symptoms
Types of Concussions After a Trucking Accident in Illinois
In addition to the grades of each concussion, there are different types of concussions to be considered. The type of concussion that a victim sustains could be caused by the different types of trucking accidents, including rear-end, head-on, sideswipe, jack-knifed, rollover, or another type of impact.
Some of the different types of concussions after a trucking accident in Illinois that could be sustained by a victim include the following:
Cognitive and Fatigue Concussions
This type of concussion affects a victim cognitively, resulting in mental fatigue and difficulties carrying out certain tasks. These could be something such as math or remembering basic details, to something more complex as carrying out tasks at work, driving a vehicle, or doing other work. In addition, this type of concussion can cause issues with concentration and focus, increase distractibility, and result in short-term memory problems, such as learning a new task, language, skill, or another trait.
Ocular Concussions
As the name implies, an ocular concussion is one that impacts a victim’s eyesight. Generally, this is due to a concussion impacting the back of the head. It can result in certain eyesight issues, including decreased sensitivity, visual field, and other difficulties seeing. But it can also impact an individual’s ability reading, especially for a long period of time, or looking at a computer screen, television, cell phone, or another device. Moreover, ocular concussions can also cause issues with floaters, light sensitivity, and other triggers for vision-related problems.
Cervical Concussions
Particularly in whiplash types of trucking accidents, cervical concussions are those that cause injuries to the base of the head and neck. As a result, they cause stress, pressure, tension, and related types of headaches, migraines, and pain. This can, in turn, affect a victim’s ability to see, focus, or move. It can also put pressure on the spine or spinal cord, causing other pain or symptoms throughout the body. Victims who have this type of concussion often need treatment such as injections, whereas more serious causes may result in a spinal fusion surgery.
Vestibular Concussions
Another very serious type of concussion is a vestibular concussion. This occurs when the main structures instead of the brain, particularly the vestibular system (or the balance center of the brain) is injured or sustains some type of damage, pressure, or changes to it. As a result, it can affect how this system functions and cause a victim issues with motion, coordinated head and eye movements, remaining steady, using vision to balance, depth perception, head movement problems, and other balance-related issues.
Post-Traumatic Migraine Concussions
This is a very common type of concussion which is caused by the extreme impact that a victim sustains in a collision. It results in sensitivity to certain stimuli like loud noise or bright lights, but also causes extreme headaches, nausea, and other painful symptoms – including migraines. This type of concussion is often occurred in a high-speed trucking accident causing a shock, jolt, or blow to the head in a violent crash.
Victims Who Suffer Concussions After a Trucking Accident in Illinois Should Call the Noll Law Office
Any type of TBI is a very serious personal injury, especially when it is a concussion. Even though the media and sports have downplayed the severity of concussions, including where a football player could sustain a powerful and serious head injury and be back on the field in 15 minutes, that does not mean that concussions are not serious or life-threatening for the rest of us. Indeed, the vast general public are not professional athletes with strong bodies and top medical teams. The overwhelming majority of people who sustain any type of head injury, especially a concussion, will have significant effects for many weeks, months, and even years – some for the rest of their lives.
Given this, victims and their families who have suffered any type of concussion after a trucking accident in Illinois should call the experienced trucking accident lawyers in Springfield for help at the Noll Law Office. These are very serious and important cases that need to be treated that way. To learn more about how their compassionate and skilled legal team can help you and your family, contact them to schedule a no-risk and no-cost case evaluation to hear how they can help you recover what you need – and what you deserve.