How To Prevent Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can be a major cause of disability, or even death. In fact, about 30% of all injury related deaths in the United States are attributed in one way or another to TBI. Even those who survive a TBI can suffer lasting effects of disability, possibly for the rest of their lives.
There are many symptoms of a TBI, which we will outline below. If you’ve recently suffered a traumatic head injury, don’t wait to call a personal injury lawyer to make sure you get the damages you deserve.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A blow, bump or jolt to the head or a head injury that happens otherwise that disrupts the brain’s normal functioning is called a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. TBIs do not occur with every head injury; it is possible to badly bump your head without incurring a TBI.
A TBI’s level of severity can range from mild to severe. Mild TBIs include a brief change in one’s consciousness or mental status, while severe TBIs mean extended periods of memory loss or unconsciousness after the sustained injury. Mild TBIs are commonly referred to as concussions, and these encompass most TBIs that occur every year.
Rates of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries are a problem because they occur all too often. In 2010, the Center for Disease Control reported that more than 50,000 deaths in the United States were caused in some way by a TBI, whether alone or with another injury. More than 280,000 hospitalizations and 2 million emergency department visits that year included a TBI as part of a diagnosis.
Death rates have thankfully been decreasing—about 7% between 2001 and 2010—but they still are not low enough. Especially because TBIs are common occurrences in children involved in sports and recreation activities, they need more education in order to support widespread prevention.
The Problem with TBIs
Traumatic Brain Injuries are easily prevented in many cases, yet they still occur as a common reason for admittance to a hospital. If you look at a chart provided by the CDC, you’ll see that falling accidents occur for more than 40% of all TBIs. Falls affect the very young and very old disproportionately, as these age groups are more susceptible to head injury in the first place.
Another leading cause of TBIs is motor vehicle traffic. While you can’t control what other drivers on the road are doing, you can control how you respond in any situation on the road. Always practice defensive driving in order to keep you and your family out of harm’s way.
Find a Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a family member has been injured with a traumatic brain injury, it can be tough to know where to turn. A Nashville personal injury attorney can help you make a case and collect potential damages you deserve. If you’re somewhere in the Nashville area, don’t wait to contact Mitch Grissim & Associates for a free case review today.
