Motor Vehicle Crashes Result in Largest Percentage of Brain Injury Deaths
Serious head injuries are sometimes referred to as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Over the last decade, TBI has remained a major cause of death and disability for 1.7 million people living in the United States. This type of head and brain injury often creates serious long-term effects and can require life-altering decisions to be made by individuals and their families.
Here are the fast facts on TBI:
- TBIs are a factor in over 30 percent of all injury-related deaths.
- Nearly 75 percent of all TBIs happen in the form of a concussion or other type of mild brain injury.
- While males are more likely to suffer a TBI than females, youth ages 5–14 years and young adults, ages 15–24 years account for nearly 56 percent of TBI deaths related to motor vehicle traffic crashes.
With hope to bring more public awareness to TBI causes and symptoms, March is observed as Brain Injury Awareness Month by the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA). For over 40 years, The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. has helped Michigan traumatic brain injury victims and we want to share this message on behalf of them.
Leading Causes of TBI and Identifiable Symptoms
There are four leading causes for traumatic brain injuries including falls, auto accidents, impact (struck by an object or striking an object or person such as sports collisions), and assaults. However, among all age groups, motor vehicle crashes and traffic-related incidents result in the largest percentage of TBI-related deaths. In some rare cases involving automobile accidents, whiplash may even cause TBI.
In many cases, the symptoms of TBI may be so slight as to escape the victim’s notice, but if treatment is not available, further serious injury can develop. Often the symptoms may be delayed for many hours, until swelling in the brain reaches the point where it affects the victim. Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan has identified these symptoms to help identify a head injury.
Physical
- Headaches
- Sleep disturbance
- Dizziness
- Balance problems
- Nausea/vomiting
- Fatigue
- Visual disturbances
- Sensitivity to light
- Ringing in the ears
Cognitive
- Concentration problems
- Temporary gaps in memory
- Attention problems
- Slowed thinking
- Difficulty finding words
Emotional
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
Anyone who has sustained a blow to the head or experienced whiplash-like injuries should be evaluated by a medical professional to determine if TBI has taken place.
Pay Nothing Until We Settle Your Michigan Brain Injury Case
TBI can have a profound effect on the quality of life, including the inability to work and interact appropriately with friends and family, loss of motor function and skills, as well as create other ailments and life-long problems. For over 40 years, The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. has helped Michigan TBI victims win their case and collect the compensation they deserve.
Please call Lee Free and Michigan traumatic brain injury lawyers at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or fill out the Free Case Evaluation Form so we can answer any questions you may have about your injury.
