Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain injuries can range from minor concussions to severe trauma. They often require a lengthy recovery period, and victims may suffer permanent disability or death as a result. There are many ways a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified some of the most common causes.
Car Accidents
Car accidents account for about half of all TBIs. When a vehicle crashes into another vehicle or stationary object, the force of impact can cause the head to collide with the window, dashboard, airbag, steering wheel, or other surface, resulting in severe trauma. Even if the head does not make contact with another surface, the quick deceleration can cause the soft tissue of the brain to hit the hard surface of the skull as the head jerks forward; these injuries are very dangerous as they may not be obvious at first. Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians who are involved in a car accident may also sustain a TBI.
Falls
Falls are the most common cause of TBI in patients over 65 years old. Patients who lose their balance or cannot support themselves properly risk falling and hitting their head on floors, furniture, or other obstacles. Slippery or unstable surfaces can cause a slip and fall accident for someone of any age.
Sports-Related Accidents
High contact sports, such as football, boxing, and hockey have a very high rate of concussion or similar brain injury. Other sports, such as horseback riding, skiing, or even baseball, where there are objects flying, can also result in injury. Sports injuries are not confined to professional players but can affect amateur or recreational players as well. Sports and recreation accidents account for about 300,000 TBIs each year.
Workplace Injuries
While a workplace accident can occur in any environment, some industries are more prone to serious injury, including TBI. Jobs, such as construction or military service, involve heavy equipment and materials, and workers must ensure they have the proper protective gear and follow safety protocols to prevent serious injuries.
Assault
Acts of violence against another person can result in brain trauma. Victims of assault may suffer from blunt force trauma or gunshot wounds, both of which can have devastating results. Firearm injuries to the head are fatal in approximately 90 percent of cases.
It is estimated that 5.3 million people in the U.S. are living with disabilities caused by a TBI, but experts believe this number could be much higher. Early treatment is key to minimizing the effects of a TBI, but the injury is not always obvious when it occurs, especially without loss of consciousness or a head wound; in some cases, symptoms may not appear until later. TBIs can result in temporary or permanent disability, including:
- Reduced cognitive function
- Partial or full paralysis
- Loss of motor skills
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Memory loss
- Loss of sensation, such as hearing or vision
- Difficulty with language or communication
Even with extensive rehabilitation, patients may have to suffer through long-term consequences of their injuries. Some TBIs can also be fatal.
Our Virginia Beach Brain Injury Lawyers Advocate for Victims of Traumatic Brain Injuries
If you suffered from a brain injury, contact a Virginia Beach brain injury lawyer today. At East Coast Trial Lawyers, we will help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries and provide comprehensive, compassionate representation to victims. With offices conveniently located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, we serve clients throughout Chesapeake, Eastern Shores, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, as well as North Carolina and nationwide. Call us today at 757-352-2237 or contact us online for a free consultation.