Top 5 Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

According to the CDC, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. Around 2.8 million people in the United States are diagnosed with a TBI annually, and almost 60,000 people die every year due to a TBI.

What qualifies as a TBI? Any damage to the brain resulting from trauma is considered a traumatic brain injury. Mild TBI is often diagnosed when a concussion occurs (although multiple concussions may compound the trauma). People diagnosed with mild TBI often experience some symptoms but will recover completely after rest. But, people diagnosed with moderate and severe TBI will usually experience long-term symptoms and more permanent or severe brain damage.

TBI has extreme consequences. In fact, a TBI disables six times as many people as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and breast cancer combined. Currently, 5.3 million Americans need long-term care to perform basic activities in their day-to-day life because of a TBI. If Doctors can diagnose a TBI quickly and early, it can affect the severity of the impact of TBI in someone’s daily life. 

Unintentionally Struck by or Against an Object

Being struck by an object is most common in children and young adults. These strikes are not done on purpose and typically happen in sports or recreational activities. The leading cause of TBI in teenagers is sports related, with equestrian sports being the greatest contributor to sports-related TBI. [1]

Assaults

Assaults contribute to approximately 10% of all TBI diagnosis. The CDC found that in 2017, men had higher counts of TBI-related hospitalization due to assault than women (approximately 11,965 versus 2,625, respectively).[2] Men and women 25-54 had higher rates of hospitalization resulting in TBI diagnosis than any other age demographic.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents account for a large proportion of TBI-related hospital stay or death. In 2017, car accidents contributed to 24.5% of all TBI-related hospital stays. Over 50,000 adults in 2017 who were hospitalized due to a motor vehicle accident were diagnosed with a TBI. Adults ages 65 or older have a greater risk or injury or death in a motor vehicle crash.

TBIs in car accidents can occur when your head collides with a steering wheel, headrest, dashboard, or window. For example, when an airbag fails to deploy, or when an object in your vehicle becomes a violent projectile. Whiplash can also lead to a TBI depending on the speed of the car accident and how sever it is. Crashing into a stationary object like a tree or a concrete wall can oftentimes be ‘worse’ then crashing into something that moves, like a deer or another vehicle.

Unintentional Falls

A fall that is accidental is the second most common form of injury contributing to a TBI-related death. In 2016 and 2017, these falls contributed to 28% of all TBI-related deaths. Falls are also the leading cause of injury for TBI-related hospital stays. Falls typically affects the older generation. A slip and fall can also be caused by someone else’s negligence.

Over 80% of TBI-related emergency department visits involving older adults are caused by falls[3] Although TBI can affect anyone at any age, it is very dangerous for adults 65 years or older. For older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death.

Contact a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Today

Injuries to the brain affect everyone differently. If you have a TBI, or you believe you may have been misdiagnosed and are entitled to a TBI diagnosis, you should speak to an attorney. The attorneys at B|B Law Group have expertise in car accidents and personal injury and will answer your questions. Contact the B|B Law Group to schedule a consultation today!