Every year, millions of people seek treatment in emergency rooms for traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Traumatic brain injuries are caused by an impact to the head through force, as in a car accident, or due to an object striking the head. Traumatic brain injuries can cause life-long symptoms that often negatively affect someone’s thinking or learning skills or cognitive ability. Those who suffer from severe traumatic brain injuries often need to stop working, and they may even need life-long care. We will discuss the five leading causes of TBI below.
1. Falls
Falls are the most common cause of TBIs in the United States, causing 47% of all TBIs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1.3 million fall-related traumatic brain injuries in 2013. Falls are also the cause of most TBI injuries among babies, children, and elderly adults. Fall accidents cause nearly half of all brain injuries. Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, from icy sidewalks to grocery stores with slippery floors.
2. Being Struck by an Object
Being struck by an object is another leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, causing 430,000 brain injuries per year. One out of every five TBI injuries in children under the age of 15 is caused by being struck by another object or person unintentionally.
3. Motor Vehicle Crashes
Motor vehicle accidents are the third-leading cause of TBI. Bicycle accidents and train accidents are also a major cause of TBI injuries. The force of an impact can cause a person’s brain to crash into their skull, causing bleeding or tissue damage. Additionally, a person’s head can slam into the dashboard or even the airbag in a car accident, causing brain damage. Motor vehicle accidents cause 200,000 TBI injuries a year and cause the largest percentage of TBI-related fatalities (32%).
4. Assault or Domestic Violence
Sadly, domestic violence and assault are also one of the leading causes of TBI injuries. 2.9% of children who suffered TBI received their brain injury from the assault. In the general population, 10% of all TBI injuries are caused by domestic violence or assault. When someone strikes another person’s head with a fist or another object, brain bleeds or swelling can occur. Even shoving another person can cause the victim to slam his or her head on the pavement, resulting in a serious brain injury.
5. Unknown or “Other” Causes
Approximately 15% of all traumatic brain injuries fall into the “other” or “unknown” category. These categories include TBI injuries caused by explosions, electrocution, fireworks, welding flash burns, injuries caused by animals, and radiation.
Contact an Experienced Lawyer Today
Has someone else’s negligence caused your traumatic brain injury? If so, you may be able to bring a lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries. Contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Griggs Injury Law today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can advocate for you.
