Approximately 50,000 people die annually from Traumatic Brain Injuries, while another 230,000 are hospitalized, of which between 80,000 and 90,000 experience long-term disability as a result of their TBI. Currently, over 5.3 million people live with a disability which resulted from a Traumatic Brain Injury.
A Traumatic Brain Injury can be caused by blunt, non-penetrating trauma or it can be caused by sharp trauma which pierces the head or skull. If your injury to your head disrupts your natural brain functions, then the injury is a TBI. TBI can be caused by any type force that disrupts the normal function of the brain and can range in severity anywhere from a brief moment of unconsciousness to extended periods of unconsciousness or amnesia following an impact.
One Primary Cause
One of the primary causes of TBI is motor vehicle accidents. In fact, 17.3% of all TBI in the U.S. are related to motor vehicle accidents. The reason that automobile accidents account for such a large percentage of TBI is the severe forces which are inflicted on the human body (and more specifically, head and skull) during such an accident. The most common cause of TBI in individuals is trauma (whether that be blunt or sharp) to the head. The greatest impact which can occur to a person during an automobile accident is the striking of one’s head on the windshield. This is why it is imperative for drivers and passengers alike to always wear their seatbelts. Additionally, in an accident where a vehicle is traveling at speed, the vehicle is caused to decelerate to a speed of zero miles per hour more quickly and at a far greater rate than merely braking ever would. The mere act of decelerating the human body, which is obviously traveling at the same rate that the vehicle in which it is traveling is, causes forces to be exerted on the brain (i.e. the brain being pushed forward into the skull during extreme stopping). When these forces are too great, or when trauma or impact occurs on the brain, a TBI can often occur.
A TBI can cause a multitude of physical, cognitive, and emotional issues for those that suffer one. Some of those symptoms include, but are not limited to: loss of consciousness, confusion or disorientation, headache, nausea, drowsiness, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, sensory problems (blurred vision, ringing ears, bad taste in the mouth, changes in ability to smell, etc.), sensitivity to light and sound, memory problems, mood changes, and feelings of depression. The most common symptom, occurring in approximately 70% of people that have experienced a traumatic brain injury, is post-traumatic headaches.
Contact Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
If you or a loved one has suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury due to the negligence of another, it is well advised to contact a licensed Florida Attorney. Once the initial diagnosis and prognosis for recovery are established by your physician, it is important to consult with an experienced traumatic brain injury attorney to determine if the injury was due to someone else’s negligence, whether the injury occurred in a Clearwater car accident or motorcycle accident, or during a sporting event. The attorneys at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA are committed to understanding the medical nuances of traumatic brain injury so that they can procure just compensation for victims. If we can assist you with a free case evaluation and consultation regarding a traumatic brain injury, please call us at 727-451-6900.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-451-6900
