Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affect roughly 1.7 million people each year across the US. These brain injuries can range from mild concussions to severe disabilities like paralysis, and each is caused by some sort of serious trauma, whiplash or rapid movement of the head.
While TBI can result from any number of events, certain situations and accidents are more likely than others to cause a traumatic brain injury. Here we’ll take a look at the top four most common causes of brain injury.
- Falling
Believe it or not, falling is the most common cause of traumatic brain injury across the US. In fact, for senior citizens, falling accounts for roughly 62% of brain injuries and 50% for children under the age of 14.
- Car Accidents
Regardless of age, auto accidents are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury. However, they are the leading cause of death from such injuries, meaning that the brain injuries from car accidents tend to be more severe.
- Strike to the Head
Being struck on the head is the third leading cause of brain injuries and accounts for roughly 16.5% of brain injuries overall. This percentage is higher in children under 14—blows to the head account for 25% of brain injuries.
- Physical Assault
Ten percent of traumatic brain injuries are caused by physical assault in middle-aged adults. Luckily, those percentages are much lower for the elderly and young children.
Victims of traumatic brain injury often face a lifetime of recovery, and this can quickly become expensive. There are often hospital bills, therapy, missed work or other financial strains involved. If you or someone you love suffers from a traumatic brain injury, you aren’t alone. The Tennessee brain injury attorneys at Gilreath & Associates understand what it takes to seek compensation for such injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.
