Motor vehicle accidents and traumatic brain injuries

Brain injuries caused by sports such as football have been in the headlines lately. Among the general population, though, motor vehicle accidents are a much more common source of traumatic brain injuries.

It should be noted that falls were the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries from 2006 to 2010. About 40 percent of all of the TBIs that resulted in an emergency room visit were because of falls. Over two-thirds of the adults who suffer a TBI and are 65 years old or older are due to falls.

Motor vehicle accidents were the second leading cause of deaths due to TBIs between 2006 and 2010. About 10 percent of TBIs were due to assaults, which include 3 percent of TBIs for children who under 15 years old and 1.4 percent of TBIs for people 65 years old and older. Motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of death for victims who were 5 to 24 years old.

When a crash occurs, such as a truck accident, many victims suffer TBIs when they strike the windshield, dashboard or steering wheel. A TBI is caused by a jolt or blow to the head, but not every bump results in a TBI. The severity of the injury may run from mild to severe. Most cases result in concussions.

The symptoms of a TBI can vary according to severity; however, similar TBIs can affect people differently. Some of the symptoms include impaired memory or thinking, depression and even personality changes.

The signs of a head injury may not be immediately apparent. If you have been in a truck accident and suffered a head injury, it is imperative that you seek medical care.

After receiving medical treatment, you may find that you have lingering effects from the TBI that require more medical care in the future. An attorney can help you seek compensation for your current and future medical expenses as well as other damages.

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “TBI: Get the Facts,” accessed May 06, 2016