Concussion education / Polk County

Concussion After a Truck Crash on I-4 or US-27 in Polk County

Hurt in a crash involving a semi or delivery truck in Lakeland, Winter Haven or Haines City? Concussion signs to watch and how testing is arranged in Polk County.

Being hit by a semi or delivery truck is frightening, and the days after can be overwhelming. If you were in a truck crash in Polk County, your head deserves as much attention as any other injury.

Polk County's freight roads

Polk County sits in the middle of Florida's freight corridor. I-4 between Lakeland and Davenport, US-27 through Haines City, the Polk Parkway, SR 60 and US-98 carry heavy truck traffic to and from distribution centers. Crashes with large trucks often involve strong forces, and in the confusion afterward a head injury can be overlooked.

Why truck crashes need a closer look

Collisions with large vehicles can involve strong forces. In the hours after a crash, people focus on visible injuries, the vehicles and the police report. Head symptoms such as headache, fog or dizziness deserve the same attention.

Ask your provider specifically about concussion, even if your visible injuries seem to be the main concern.

Common concussion symptoms

• Physical: headache, nausea, dizziness, balance problems, blurry vision, sensitivity to light or noise.
• Thinking: feeling foggy or slowed down, trouble concentrating or remembering.
• Emotional: irritability, sadness, anxiety.
• Sleep: sleeping more or less than usual.

When to go to the emergency room

Call 911 or go to the nearest ER right away for danger signs such as a headache that gets worse and does not go away, repeated vomiting, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, seizures, unusual confusion, one pupil larger than the other, or loss of consciousness. In the area, hospitals with emergency departments include Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center and BayCare Winter Haven Hospital; in an emergency, go to whichever ER is closest.

Getting checked in Polk County

If symptoms are not severe but are not going away, start with your treating provider, such as your primary care doctor, chiropractor, orthopedist, pain management physician or physical therapist. Keep a short symptom diary to share with them. If they decide objective testing makes sense, they can refer you to Braintree. We are a mobile service: our team brings concussion and TBI testing to your provider's office across Polk County, so you are tested somewhere familiar. Your provider receives a physician-reviewed diagnostic report and decides on your care.

Not sure where to start? Call our help line at 813-709-3771. We can walk you through how testing works and help you think about next steps for getting checked and finding care. You can also read our guide for patients and families.

For local providers

If you treat accident or injury patients in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Haines City and Sebring, Braintree brings mobile concussion and TBI testing to your office and returns a physician-reviewed diagnostic report. You stay in charge of care. We diagnose. You treat. See how it works for providers or send a referral.

For legal teams

Personal injury firms serving Polk County can learn how testing at the client's treating provider's office produces objective, physician-reviewed diagnostic reports. Testing is ordered by the treating provider. See information for attorneys.

Frequently asked questions

Related: Concussion testing in Polk County | Concussion testing in Florida | For patients and families | Call 813-709-3771

Sources

• CDC: About mild TBI and concussion
• CDC HEADS UP: Concussion signs and symptoms
• NIH NINDS: Traumatic Brain Injury

This article is educational and is not medical or legal advice. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.