Traumatic brain injury after a tractor-trailer accident in California is almost always serious and life-changing, and if you suffered a brain or head injury in a truck crash in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, you should contact an experienced California truck accident lawyer immediately to protect your health, your rights, and your financial future.

At The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus, we see firsthand how devastating a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be after a collision with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or tractor-trailer on California highways.

Unlike a fender-bender with a small car, a crash with a fully-loaded commercial truck can unleash massive force on your body and brain:

• 18-wheelers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds

• Even at “city speeds,” the impact can cause your brain to slam into the skull

• You can suffer a concussion, diffuse axonal injury, brain bleeding, or permanent cognitive impairment

If you or someone you love suffered a brain injury after a truck accident in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, you are likely facing:

• Hospital stays and surgeries

• Neurologist and neuropsychologist visits

• Months or years of rehab and therapy

• Lost income, job loss, or inability to work

• Overwhelming stress on your family

You do not have to face this alone.
Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. We fight trucking companies and their insurance carriers to pursue maximum compensation for brain injury victims throughout California.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) After a Truck Accident?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is damage to the brain caused by a sudden blow, jolt, or penetrating injury to the head. In a tractor-trailer accident, your head and neck can be violently whipped forward and backward, slammed into the steering wheel, window, dash, or airbag, or shaken hard enough that the brain is injured even without a direct impact.

Common TBIs in California truck accidents include:

• Concussions (mild TBI) – Often caused by whiplash or a blow to the head

• Moderate to severe TBI – Prolonged loss of consciousness, memory problems, cognitive deficits

• Diffuse axonal injury – Widespread damage to brain cells from powerful shaking or rotation

• Contusions and brain bleeding (hematomas) – Bruising and bleeding in or around the brain

• Penetrating head wounds – Bone fragments or debris entering the skull

Even a so-called “mild” concussion can cause serious symptoms, especially when caused by a massive truck collision. Never assume your head injury is minor after being hit by a semi-truck.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents That Lead to Brain Injuries in California

Many TBIs from truck accidents are 100% preventable. They often happen because a trucking company or driver violated safety rules.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Truck driver fatigue – Driving past legal hours-of-service limits

• Speeding and aggressive driving – Especially on I-5, the 405, 101, 10, and other busy California freeways

• Distracted driving – Cell phone use, texting, GPS, or in-cab devices

• Impaired driving – Drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications

• Improper loading or overloaded trailers – Leading to rollovers and jackknifes

• Poor truck maintenance – Worn brakes, bald tires, steering problems

• Unsafe lane changes and wide turns – Squeezing smaller vehicles, motorcyclists, or pedestrians

• Following too closely – Rear-end crashes that slam your head forward

When these acts of negligence cause a brain injury, California law allows you to pursue a claim for significant financial compensation.

Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Injury After a Truck Accident

After a serious tractor-trailer crash, your adrenaline is pumping. You might walk away thinking you are “okay” — only to develop brain injury symptoms hours or days later.

Watch for these symptoms of TBI and get emergency medical care right away:

Physical symptoms

• Headache or pressure in the head

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness, balance problems, or vertigo

• Blurred vision or sensitivity to light

• Ringing in the ears

• Slurred speech

• Extreme fatigue or sleeping much more or much less than usual

Cognitive and emotional symptoms

• Confusion, feeling “foggy,” trouble concentrating

• Memory problems, especially about the crash

• Slowed thinking or trouble finding words

• Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or depression

• Personality changes that family or friends notice

Emergency “red flag” symptoms

Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if you notice:

• Loss of consciousness, even briefly

• Seizures

• Persistent or worsening headache

• Repeated vomiting

• One pupil larger than the other

• Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination

• Clear fluid leaking from nose or ears

Never ignore symptoms. If you’ve been in a truck crash in Los Angeles or anywhere in California and have any of these signs, get checked by a doctor immediately — and then call our firm so we can help protect your legal rights.

Why Traumatic Brain Injuries From Truck Accidents Are So Devastating

Truck-related TBIs are different from typical car accident concussions for several reasons:

1. Higher forces – The sheer size and weight of an 18-wheeler create violent impacts.

2. Multi-vehicle pileups – One truck can cause a chain-reaction crash, leading to multiple impacts and repeated head trauma.

3. Long-term disabilities – TBIs can affect cognition, memory, mood, behavior, and the ability to work or care for yourself.

4. Invisible injury – There may be no obvious external wound, yet the victim’s life is completely changed.

5. High lifetime costs – Medical care, rehab, assistive devices, and lost earnings can total millions of dollars over a lifetime.

Insurance companies know how expensive brain injury cases are — which is why they fight hard to minimize or deny these claims. That’s exactly why you need an aggressive, experienced California truck accident brain injury lawyer on your side from day one.

What To Do After a Truck Accident If You Suspect a Brain Injury

If you were hit by a tractor-trailer or big rig in California, follow these steps to protect your health and your case:

1. Call 911 immediately

   • Report the crash and request police and EMS.

   • Make sure the police report notes your head injury or symptoms.

2. Get emergency medical treatment

   • Go by ambulance or have someone drive you to the ER or urgent care.

   • Tell the doctor every symptom you feel — even if it seems minor.

3. Follow up with specialists

   • See a neurologist, neuropsychologist, or brain injury specialist.

   • Keep all appointments and follow all treatment recommendations.

4. Preserve evidence from the scene

   • If you’re able, take photos or video of:

     • Vehicle damage

     • Truck and trailer (including DOT numbers and company name)

     • Skid marks, debris, road conditions

   • Get names and contact information of witnesses.

5. Do NOT talk to the trucking insurance company

   • Do not give a recorded statement.

   • Do not sign anything.

   • Do not accept any quick settlement offers — they are usually far below the true value of a brain injury claim.

6. Contact The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus as soon as possible

   • We move quickly to preserve critical evidence, including:

     • Driver logs

     • Black box (ECM) data

     • Maintenance and inspection records

     • Company safety policies and training

   • The sooner we’re involved, the stronger your case can be.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Brain Injury in a California Truck Accident?

One key difference between truck accident cases and regular car accident cases is the number of potential defendants (legally responsible parties).

Depending on the facts, we may pursue claims against:

• The truck driver – For speeding, fatigue, distraction, impairment, etc.

• The trucking company / motor carrier – For negligent hiring, training, supervision, or violating federal trucking regulations

• The trailer owner or leasing company

• The shipper or cargo loading company – For improper loading or failure to secure cargo

• Maintenance or repair companies – For negligent work that led to brake failure, tire blowouts, or steering issues

• Truck or parts manufacturers – For defective brakes, tires, steering, or other components

Holding all responsible parties accountable is critical in brain injury cases. Why? Because your damages may be far greater than a single auto policy limit. Commercial truck cases often involve multiple layers of insurance coverage, including:

• Primary liability policies

• Excess and umbrella policies

• Corporate assets

Our job is to uncover every available insurance policy and avenue of recovery to pursue the maximum compensation the law allows.

What Compensation Can You Recover for a Truck-Related Brain Injury in California?

Every case is unique, but in a traumatic brain injury case from a truck accident, potential damages can include:

Economic damages (financial losses)

• Emergency room visits and hospital bills

• Surgeries and procedures

• Neurologist, neuropsychologist, and specialist visits

• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy

• Cognitive rehabilitation and neuro-rehab programs

• Medications, medical devices, and assistive technology

• Home health care, attendant care, or in-home nursing

• Modifications to your home or vehicle (ramps, lifts, accessible bathrooms)

• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

• Loss of employment benefits

Non-economic damages (human losses)

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress and mental anguish

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Loss of independence

• Loss of consortium (impact on your relationship with your spouse/partner)

In rare cases: punitive damages

If the truck driver or trucking company engaged in extreme recklessness — such as drunk driving, falsifying logbooks, or repeatedly ignoring safety violations — a California court may award punitive damages to punish and deter such conduct.

At The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus, we work with medical experts, life-care planners, and economists to fully document the true lifetime impact of your brain injury so the insurance company cannot underpay or undervalue your claim.

How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Brain Injury Claim in California?

In most California personal injury cases, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, there are important exceptions:

• Claims involving government entities (e.g., dangerous roads, city or county vehicles) may require a government claim within 6 months.

• Minors and incapacitated adults may have different timelines.

• Evidence can disappear fast — black box data can be overwritten, trucks can be repaired, and critical documents can be “lost.”

Do not wait. The sooner you call our office, the faster we can start preserving evidence and building your case.

Why You Need a California Truck Accident Brain Injury Lawyer — Not Just Any Injury Attorney

Truck accident cases are not like typical car accident claims. When you combine complex federal trucking regulations with the medical complexity of a TBI, you need a law firm that knows:

• How to investigate trucking companies

• How to read and interpret driver logs and black box data

• How to work with medical experts who understand TBI

• How to present your case powerfully to a jury if the insurance company refuses to pay fair value

At The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus, we:

• Aggressively pursue full compensation for brain and head injury victims

• Take on big trucking and insurance companies — and we do not back down

• Prepare every case as if it is going to trial so we are always ready

You focus on healing.
We focus on winning.

How Our Firm Builds a Powerful Brain Injury Case After a Truck Accident

When you hire our firm, we go to work right away. Our legal team may:

• Obtain and analyze:

  • Police and CHP reports

  • Truck driver qualification file

  • Hours-of-service (HOS) logs

  • On-board computer / black box (ECM) data

  • Maintenance and inspection records

• Inspect the truck and scene with accident reconstruction experts

• Interview witnesses and secure independent statements

• Work with medical professionals to document the full extent of your traumatic brain injury

• Build a life-care plan projecting future medical needs and costs

• Document your day-to-day struggles through journals, family testimony, and video when appropriate

• Negotiate aggressively with the insurance companies

• If necessary, file a lawsuit and take your case to trial

From day one, our mission is simple:
Protect your future and fight for every dollar you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions – Traumatic Brain Injury After a Truck Accident in California

1. I didn’t lose consciousness. Can I still have a brain injury?

Yes. Many people with concussions or TBIs never black out. You can still have serious brain trauma with symptoms like headache, confusion, dizziness, or memory problems. Always get evaluated after a truck accident, even if you stayed awake the whole time.

2. How do I prove my brain injury was caused by the truck accident?

Evidence can include:

• Emergency room records

• Imaging studies (CT scan, MRI)

• Neurological exams

• Neuropsychological testing

• Testimony from medical experts

• Family and friends describing changes in your thinking, mood, or behavior

Our firm gathers this evidence and works with experts to clearly connect your brain injury to the truck crash.

3. The trucking insurance company offered me a settlement. Should I take it?

Not without talking to an experienced California truck accident lawyer first. Early offers are almost always far too low, especially in brain injury cases. Once you sign a release, you cannot go back for more money — even if you later learn you will need a lifetime of care.

4. How long will my California truck accident brain injury case take?

The timeline depends on:

• How serious your injuries are

• How long it takes for your doctors to understand your prognosis

• Whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate fairly

• Whether a lawsuit and trial become necessary

We move fast and keep pushing your case forward — but we will not rush into an unfair settlement that leaves you unprotected.

5. How much does it cost to hire The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus?

We handle truck accident brain injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means:

• No upfront fees

• No hourly bills

• You pay nothing unless we win money for you

Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, agreed upon in advance. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us attorney’s fees.

What California Truck Accident Brain Injury Victims Should Do Right Now

If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury after a tractor-trailer accident in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, you are facing one of the toughest battles of your life — medically, financially, and emotionally.

You don’t have to go through it alone.

• Get the medical care you need

• Let us handle the trucking company and insurance carrier

• Let us fight to secure the maximum compensation the law allows

👉 Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus today for a FREE consultation.
We’re ready to listen to your story, explain your options, and start fighting for you right now.