Common Causes of TBI

Brain Injury Lawyer in Washington, DC

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often preventable. While freak accidents do happen, you and your loved ones can take some precautions to minimize the risk of TBI. The key is to understand the most common causes of brain injuries. Only then can you take steps to prevent and avoid them.

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Auto Accidents

Auto accidents are the leading cause of TBI in the United States. They cause more fatal and non-fatal brain injuries than any other event. Even a minor car crash can cause serious brain injuries, many of which go undetected because there may be no visible wound and little or no vehicle damage.

Whiplash is a common culprit in car accident TBI, and it can cause serious injury to the brain which goes untreated while victims focus on more obvious problems such as neck and back pain. More serious auto accidents, such as rollovers and accidents which cause occupants to be ejected or strike the inside of the vehicle, also cause TBI, often with obvious head injuries. Seat belts and child restraints can prevent auto accident-related TBI.

Falls

Falls are a very common cause of TBI. Brain injuries caused by falling are less likely to be fatal than brain injuries caused by an auto accident. Anyone can incur TBI from a fall, but certain groups are at an elevated risk for falling, including elderly individuals, young children and infants, and people with certain medical conditions such as epilepsy.

Proper supervision, maintaining an environment free of tripping hazards, child-proofing, and making sure that equipment such as toys, ladders, and step stools, are in good condition, can help prevent TBI after a fall.

Sports

Both contact and non-contact sports contribute to over 300,000 brain injuries each year. High school sports and bicycling are common causes of sport-related TBI in children and teenagers. About 20% of high school athletes sustain a brain injury each season, with many involving football.

About 50,000 children in the U.S. sustain bicycle-related brain injuries each year, with over 400 dying from their injuries. Athlete injuries involving TBI are often overlooked, leading to lack of treatment and / or additional injuries. Recognizing and responding to symptoms of concussions and other sports-related TBI is the key to preventing serious and permanent damage. Proper safety equipment, including helmets, can also reduce the severity of brain injury.

Violence

Violence is a common cause of preventable brain injury. Shaken baby syndrome, for example, can cause TBI in vulnerable infants and young children. Because it does not cause visible injury, it often goes unnoticed until serious damage has occurred.

Other forms of domestic violence against children and spouses also lead to TBI, which often goes unreported and untreated. Third party assaults at bars and nightclubs can also result in brain injuries. In these cases, property owners may be held liable for inadequate security that failed to prevent the assaults.

Proven Brain Injury Attorneys on Your Side

Regardless of the cause of TBI, our legal team at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is passionate about helping victims and families navigate both the recovery process and their legal journey.

For more information about pursuing a brain injury claim, call (202) 659-8600 for a FREE consultation.