How Truck Accidents Lead to Life-Altering Brain Injuries

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

Truck accidents are among the most devastating crashes on our roads, often leaving victims with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that permanently alter their lives. The sheer force of a semi-truck, log truck, or 18-wheeler crash can cause the brain to slam against the inside of the skull, leading to severe cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments.

At Pajcic & Pajcic, we’ve seen firsthand how these injuries impact individuals and families. In one of our most heartbreaking cases, we fought for justice for a high school senior who suffered a catastrophic brain injury when her vehicle crashed into a log truck making an illegal U-turn on U.S. 1. While she recovered enough to appear outwardly normal, her injury left her unable to live independently, forever altering the course of her life.

During Brain Injury Awareness Month in March, it’s important to recognize how truck accidents cause severe brain trauma and why victims need experienced legal representation to recover the compensation they deserve.

Why Are Brain Injuries So Common in Truck Accidents?

The impact of a fully loaded commercial truck is far greater than that of a standard passenger vehicle. Even at low speeds, the force of a collision can be enough to cause severe brain trauma. When truck drivers or trucking companies cut corners on safety, they put lives at risk.

Some of the most common causes of brain injuries in truck crashes include:

• High-impact collisions – When a car crashes into the side or rear of a truck, the force can cause a driver or passenger’s head to strike the dashboard, window, or steering wheel, leading to skull fractures and internal bleeding.
• Underride and override accidents – Smaller vehicles can slide under the back or side of a truck, or a truck may run over a passenger vehicle. These accidents frequently cause fatal head trauma or long-term brain injuries.
• Rollovers and jackknife crashes – When a truck loses control, it can roll onto smaller vehicles, crushing the occupants and causing severe neurological damage.
• Falling cargo and debris – Unsecured loads, such as logs, steel beams, or heavy equipment, can fall into traffic, striking vehicles and causing penetrating brain injuries.
• Driver fatigue and reckless behavior – Tired truckers have slower reaction times, increasing the risk of collisions that result in serious brain injuries.

Many of these accidents could be avoided if trucking companies prioritized safety over profits. When they fail to enforce proper protocols, innocent people suffer the consequences.

Types of Brain Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents

Not all traumatic brain injuries are immediately obvious after a truck accident. Some victims walk away from a crash feeling “shaken up” only to experience serious symptoms days or weeks later.

Brain injuries from truck crashes fall into several categories, depending on the severity and impact on the brain:

• Concussions – Often considered a mild TBI, concussions can still cause significant issues, including memory loss, dizziness, mood swings, and long-term cognitive problems.
• Contusions (brain bruises) – These injuries involve localized bleeding in the brain, which can lead to dangerous swelling and pressure inside the skull.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) – When the brain is subjected to violent shaking or rotation, nerve fibers tear, leading to permanent damage, coma, or death.
• Penetrating Injuries – In extreme crashes, debris such as shattered glass, metal fragments, or cargo can pierce the skull, damaging brain tissue and causing life-threatening complications.

The long-term effects of a TBI from a truck accident can be devastating. Victims may struggle with speech impairment, loss of coordination, chronic pain, depression, and an inability to work or care for themselves. These are not just medical issues—they are life-altering disabilities that demand serious legal action.

$13 Million Verdict: Holding a Log Truck Company Accountable

One of the most tragic brain injury cases we’ve handled at Pajcic & Pajcic involved a young woman whose life was permanently changed by a log truck driver’s reckless decision.

The victim, “Turtle” Doe, was a high school senior on her way home before school when her vehicle collided with a log truck making a U-turn in the dark on U.S. 1. Her boyfriend, who was driving, attempted to avoid the crash but could not react in time. The car slammed into the truck, and logs crashed through the windshield, causing Turtle to suffer a severe traumatic brain injury.

Despite months of recovery, she was left with:

• Permanent cognitive impairment that prevents her from living independently
• Physical disabilities, including tremors and difficulty walking
• A loss of judgment and reasoning skills, requiring lifelong care

At trial, we fought to hold multiple parties accountable, including:

• The truck driver, who had a history of making unsafe U-turns
• The trucking company, which ignored dangerous practices
• The Florida Department of Transportation, whose poor signage contributed to the crash

The jury awarded $13 million, including over $6.5 million for medical and long-term care costs and another $6.3 million for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

While the verdict provided critical financial support, no amount of money can undo the damage caused by a catastrophic brain injury.

Why Brain Injury Victims Need Experienced Legal Representation

After a truck accident brain injury, victims often face an uphill battle. Trucking companies and their insurance providers will do everything possible to minimize these claims, often arguing that brain injuries are not as severe as they seem.

Without strong legal representation from an experienced truck accident lawyer, victims may struggle to recover fair compensation for:

• Medical expenses – Hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care
• Lost wages – Inability to return to work due to cognitive impairment
• Pain and suffering – Emotional distress, PTSD, and diminished quality of life
• Future care needs – Ongoing therapy, in-home assistance, and adaptive equipment

At Pajcic & Pajcic, our attorneys don’t let trucking companies get away with avoiding accountability. We fight aggressively to ensure brain injury victims receive full compensation for the lifelong impact of their injuries.

If You Suffered a Brain Injury in a Truck Accident, Pajcic & Pajcic Can Help

For over 50 years, Pajcic & Pajcic has stood up for truck accident victims and their families, securing more than $1.5 billion for those affected by catastrophic injuries.

We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to take on trucking companies, insurance carriers, and negligent drivers. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a truck crash, we can help you seek justice.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can fight for your rights. Our office is located in Jacksonville, FL, and we offer legal representation to truck accident victims nationwide.

"This team made a really hard experience feel easier. From the moment I reached out to them, they told me exactly what they needed from me, and they handled the rest without question. They kept me updated every step of the way, and if I had any questions, they were patient with me with their explanation. Cannot thank this team enough for the stress they saved me!" — Emily L., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐