A traumatic brain injury (TBI) transpires when the head receives a sudden and forceful impact from hitting a hard object or surface. TBIs can manifest as mild concussions or severe, life-altering damage. Severe TBIs can result in cognitive impairment, physical disabilities and emotional challenges. While car accidents are a well-known cause of TBIs, many other personal injuries can also result in brain trauma.
Even though anyone can suffer a head injury, some types of personal injuries are especially likely to result in brain trauma. Understanding how these injuries happen can help prevent them—or at the very least, allow people to recognize when to seek immediate medical and legal support.
Car accidents
Most people may not be aware that motor vehicle accidents are one of the prevalent culprits of TBIs. Whether it’s a high-speed highway collision or a low-speed crash at an intersection, the impact can jolt the brain inside the skull.
Car accident survivors may hit their heads on the steering wheel, dashboard, windows or headrests. They could also suffer whiplash that forces the brain to move back and forth within the skull. Even if there’s no visible injury, a concussion or more serious brain trauma may occur, and symptoms can take hours or days to appear.
Slip and fall accidents
Slipping and falling is a common way to sustain a TBI, especially among older adults. A slip on a wet floor, an icy sidewalk or an uneven surface can lead to someone hitting their head on the ground or a nearby object. These accidents frequently occur in:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Apartment complexes
- Public sidewalks
When a person falls and hits their head, the impact can cause:
- Concussions: The most common mild TBI, often resulting in confusion.
- Contusions: Bruising of the brain tissue that may require surgical intervention.
- Skull fractures: A cracked skull can lead to brain bleeding or swelling.
Public establishment managers and owners may be held liable if hazardous conditions (like poor lighting or uncleared snow) contributed to the fall.
Traumatic brain injuries can transpire in the blink of an eye, but their effects can last a lifetime. For individuals who suffer a TBI due to the negligence of another, it’s important to seek medical intervention immediately. Then, consider speaking with a compassionate legal team that understands the long-term impact of TBIs and can help in pursuing compensation.