Spinal Cord & TBI from Big Rig Accidents: What Are Your Legal Options?
A collision with a commercial truck is unlike any other vehicle accident. When you’re involved in a crash with a big rig, the injuries are often severe, even catastrophic. If that crash left you or someone you care about with a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury, your world likely feels shattered. You’re dealing with immense physical pain, emotional distress, and deep uncertainty about the future.
You’re probably asking yourself: How will we pay for the constant medical care? What happens if we can’t work anymore? How do we even begin to pick up the pieces?
You need answers, and you need help making things right. The good news is, you have legal options to seek compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable for the harm they caused.
Call Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP at 406-442-7830 today. Our Montana truck accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and start the process of getting the support you need. We’ve been helping injured Montana accident victims since 1978.
Why Big Rig Accidents Cause Serious Harm
Large commercial trucks weigh tens of thousands of pounds, sometimes even more with cargo. When something goes wrong, whether it’s speeding, a distracted driver, poor maintenance, or something else entirely, the passenger car occupants are the ones who suffer the most. After all, the human body simply isn’t built to withstand the forces of a semi-truck crash.
Spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries are tragically common outcomes in these kinds of crashes because of the violent forces involved. The body is violently jolted, twisted, or struck, leading to damage to the delicate spinal column or severe impacts to the head.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries After a Truck Crash
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that can result in a loss of function, such as mobility or feeling. The effects of an SCI depend entirely on where the injury happens on the spinal cord and how severe the damage is.
Living with an SCI means facing significant challenges. You might need extensive medical treatment, including surgery, long-term physical therapy, and specialized equipment like wheelchairs or home modifications. You could require ongoing personal care. Plus, the emotional and financial burdens are immense, impacting not just the injured person but their entire family.
Montana law recognizes the severe, lifelong impact of these injuries when determining compensation in personal injury cases.
The Impact of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when a sudden jolt or blow to the head damages the brain. TBIs range in severity from a mild concussion to a severe injury causing long periods of unconsciousness or amnesia.
Even a seemingly “mild” TBI can have lasting effects, including:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Light sensitivity
- Memory problem
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Changes in mood
Moderate to severe TBIs can result in permanent cognitive impairment, communication difficulties, physical disabilities, and personality changes.
Like SCI, a TBI requires specialized medical care, rehabilitation, and potentially long-term support. The costs add up quickly, from emergency treatment and hospital stays to ongoing therapy and potential loss of earning capacity.
Determining Who Is Responsible
After a truck accident causes such severe injuries, a major concern is figuring out who is at fault. This isn’t always simple in big rig cases. Several parties could potentially share blame:
- The Truck Driver: Were they fatigued, distracted, speeding, or under the influence? Did they violate traffic laws or trucking regulations?
- The Trucking Company: Did they improperly train the driver? Did they pressure the driver to meet unrealistic deadlines, leading to fatigue? Did they fail to properly maintain the truck? Did they hire a driver with a poor safety record?
- The Truck or Parts Manufacturer: Was there a defect in the truck’s brakes, tires, or other critical components that contributed to the crash?
- The Cargo Loader: Was the truck improperly loaded, causing the load to shift and make the truck unstable?
- A Third-Party Maintenance Provider: If the company outsourced maintenance, did the provider fail to perform necessary repairs correctly?
Pinpointing responsibility involves a thorough investigation, examining evidence from the accident scene, the truck’s electronic data recorder (“black box”), driver logs, maintenance records, company policies, and witness statements. Montana law requires proving that another party’s negligence or failure to follow safety rules directly caused your injuries.
Why Hiring a Lawyer Can Help!
A Montana truck accident attorney can take on the burden of the investigation, gathering critical evidence that the average person wouldn’t know exists or how to access. They understand the specific federal and state trucking regulations (like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations – FMCSR) that often play a role in these crashes and know how to prove violations.
Your attorney will work with medical and financial experts to fully understand and project the long-term costs of your SCI or TBI, ensuring that any settlement or judgment covers your future needs, not just immediate expenses. They handle all communication with insurance adjusters, protecting you from tactics designed to reduce the value of your claim.
Most importantly, they build your case and fight to get you the full compensation you deserve, whether that involves negotiating a settlement or taking your case to court.
Contact Our Montana Truck Accident Attorneys Today
Life throws unexpected challenges our way, and a severe injury from a big rig accident is one of the most difficult. While your focus must remain on healing and adapting, understanding your legal rights is a critical step toward securing your future. Don’t let uncertainty add to your burden.
Get the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Call Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP today at 406.442.7830 or fill out our confidential contact form to discuss your case and explore your options.
