Traumatic Brain Injuries in Colorado Truck Accidents

Brain injuries are some of the most serious injuries that can result from a Colorado truck accident. Because of the massive size and weight of commercial trucks, accidents between passenger vehicles and semi-trucks often cause catastrophic damages. From costly medical bills to long-term symptoms affecting movement, thought, and speech, a traumatic brain injury can permanently alter a victim’s life. The Colorado truck accident attorneys at Bowman Law prepared this article to provide a comprehensive review of brain injuries stemming from large truck accidents.

The Human Brain

The human brain is an incredibly complex and vital organ. Serving as the control center of the nervous system, it directs all body functions, from movement to decision-making. To protect such a critical organ, the brain is encased within the skull, cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid, and wrapped in protective layers of tissue known as the meninges. These defenses are designed to withstand everyday bumps and minor trauma.

However, the extreme forces involved in truck accidents — such as blunt force trauma, sudden acceleration and deceleration, or violent impact — can overwhelm these natural defenses. When a passenger vehicle is struck by a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, the energy transfer often causes the brain to move violently inside the skull. This can lead to bruising, bleeding, or swelling, even when there are no visible injuries to the outside of the head.

Types of Brain Injuries in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents commonly cause coup, contrecoup, and coup-contrecoup brain injuries:

• Coup injuries occur at the site of direct impact when the brain collides with the skull.
• Contrecoup injuries occur on the opposite side of the head when the brain rebounds and strikes the skull’s interior wall.
• Coup-contrecoup injuries involve both, causing damage at the initial point of impact and the rebound location. These often result from the high-force trauma common in large truck crashes.

Because tractor-trailers often weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger vehicles, these types of brain injuries are particularly likely to occur in truck accidents. The sheer physics of a truck impact makes them among the most catastrophic collisions on Colorado’s roads.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

The symptoms of a TBI following a truck accident can vary depending on the severity and location of the injury. Common symptoms include:

• Confusion and memory loss
• Loss of consciousness
• Poor coordination or balance
• Cognitive decline
• Severe headaches
• Blurred vision, ringing in the ears, or light/sound sensitivity
• Nausea or vomiting
• Emotional instability or personality changes
• Swelling of the brain

Given the violent nature of truck crashes, victims may suffer diffuse brain injuries affecting multiple regions, leading to complex and overlapping symptoms. Immediate medical attention is critical, as untreated brain trauma can worsen rapidly and even become fatal.

Brain Injuries Are More Severe in Truck Crashes

Truck accidents differ from ordinary car crashes because of the tremendous forces involved. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When such a vehicle collides with a passenger car, the smaller vehicle and its occupants absorb the brunt of the force. This often leads to more serious brain injuries, higher fatality rates, and longer recovery timelines.

Additionally, truck accident victims face unique legal and insurance challenges. Trucking companies are backed by powerful insurers and legal teams who immediately work to minimize liability. Determining fault often requires analyzing federal trucking regulations, including driver qualifications, hours-of-service logs, and safety compliance records. For victims with TBIs, the legal stakes are even higher because medical costs, lost wages, and long-term care needs can amount to millions of dollars over a lifetime.

The Value of a Truck Accident Attorney

At Bowman Law, our Colorado truck accident attorneys understand truck cases are unlike ordinary car crash claims. The size and weight of commercial trucks often leads to more catastrophic injuries, long-term disability, or wrongful death. These cases also involve complex federal safety regulations, aggressive corporate defense teams, and powerful insurance carriers determined to limit payouts. Our Colorado truck accident attorneys have the experience and resources to take on these challenges head-on.

Importantly, our Colorado truck accident attorneys understand the devastating impact of brain injuries caused by truck accidents. Our attorneys are skilled in handling the complexities of commercial truck litigation, including investigating negligent hiring practices, uncovering driver qualification failures, and holding trucking companies accountable under FMCSA safety regulations. We work closely with medical experts, life-care planners, and accident reconstruction specialists to build the strongest possible case for our clients.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident in Colorado, you deserve a law firm with a proven record of success. Please send us a message or call us at 720-863-6904 to schedule a free case evaluation. With Bowman Law on your side, you gain a team of Colorado truck accident lawyers who will fight to protect your rights, secure the compensation you need, and deliver the justice you deserve.With our experience, resources, and proven record of success, we will fight for the justice and compensation you need to rebuild your life.