Millions of people are hospitalized or visit emergency rooms each year because of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). During 2010, more than 50,000 people died due to traumatic brain injuries. It is estimated that approximately 30 percent of injury deaths in the United States are the result of TBIs. The causes of TBI are varied and include:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Assaults and domestic violence
- Contact sports
- Struck by something
- Work injuries
- Recreational accidents
Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries with motor vehicle accidents being the third leading cause of TBI. Suffering a brain injury can change a person’s life forever. The damage from a traumatic brain injury can result in permanent disabilities that require ongoing medical care and long-term personal care.
If the TBI is the result of a personal injury accident, we encourage you to contact an Indianapolis personal injury attorney to discuss your legal right to recover compensation. Compensation cannot undo the damage done by a TBI, but it can help provide the medical care and personal care you need as you learn to live with the results of a brain injury.
What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury results from a jolt or blow to the head. A TBI can also be the result of a penetrating head injury. The brain is injured from striking the skull after a blow or from an object penetrating the soft tissue of the brain. TBIs can range from mild to severe. Symptoms of a TBI are usually divided into three categories as follows:
Physical Symptoms
Loss of consciousness, headaches, vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, loss of balance, fatigue, sleeping problems, seizures, weakness or numbness in toes and fingers, and loss of coordination.
Sensory Symptoms
Blurred vision, sensitivity to sound or light, changes in ability to smell, slurred speech, and ringing in the ears.
Cognitive and Mental Symptoms
Problems with concentration, memory problems, mood changes, depression, anxiety, mood swings, acute confusion, unusual behavior, and coma.
Because the symptoms of a closed head injury may not be immediately apparent, some people dismiss the need to be checked by a physician after a head injury. However, you should always seek medical attention after any blow to the head, especially if you experience any unusual symptoms regardless of whether those symptoms indicate a head injury. It is always best to be checked by a doctor. Even a mild TBI can result in serious medical conditions that can greatly impair your ability to function normally. Left untreated, a mild TBI may result in permanent brain damage.
Can I Prevent A Traumatic Brain Injury?
Because most TBIs are the result of an accident, such as a fall or traffic accident, it may be impossible to prevent a TBI. However, there are precautions you can take to reduce your risk of suffering a severe traumatic brain injury.
- Wear helmets whenever you ride a motorcycle, ATV, or bicycle. Also wear head protection when participating in contact sports or other sports that can result in a head injury (i.e. skiing, horseback riding, skating, etc.).
- Never drive when impaired by alcohol. It’s also important to remember that some over-the-counter drugs can impair driving ability too.
- Don’t drive when you are fatigued or drowsy.
- Always wear seat belts and secure a child in a car seat or a booster seat that is appropriate for the child’s age.
- Purchase vehicles that have excellent crash ratings and standard safety features such as airbags, AEB systems, electronic stability control, and accident avoidance systems.
- Install handrails on all stairways and use non-slip rugs.
- Use shock-absorbing materials for playgrounds.
Hire An Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorney For Assistance
If you or your family member has been injured in an accident, our Indianapolis personal injury attorney can help. A traumatic brain injury can change your life forever. A personal injury claim can help you recover compensation from the party who caused your accident. Compensation can help provide for your medical and personal care in addition to providing for the needs of your family.
Call The Ken Nunn Law Office at 1-800-CALL-KEN or 1-800-225-5536 for a free legal consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury attorney.
