Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Vary with Time of Day
While there are numerous types of injuries that someone might sustain in an accident, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is particularly severe. Most scientific professionals define a traumatic brain injury as any force or impact that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. This can be caused by a simple bump, a fall, a direct hit to the head, a penetrating injury, or an explosive blast. According to a report commissioned by the government and delivered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- In 2010, there were about 2.5 million visits to the emergency room due to concerns for a traumatic brain injury.
- Between 85 and 90 percent of these individuals were treated and subsequently discharged home directly from the emergency room.
- About 10 percent of these individuals were admitted to the hospital for further management.
- About 2 percent of people died.
In the report, the CDC also notes that these numbers likely underestimate the total number of TBIs because some people never sought medical care.
Mechanisms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Serious accidents can take on different forms that are severe, and many of them will lead to a head or brain injury. Some of the mechanisms of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Motorcycle accidents, particularly those where a rider was not wearing a helmet.
- A motor vehicle collision where drivers strike their head on the steering wheel or dashboard.
- Slip and fall injuries, where someone sustains a direct impact to the head or neck area.
Some symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may not present until minutes, hours, or even days after the injury. Therefore, anyone who sustains an impact to the head or neck area should be evaluated by a medical professional. A fast evaluation could result in the early detection of a traumatic brain injury, which could prove lifesaving.
Variations in Traumatic Brain Injuries with Time of Day
People should take extra caution when driving at night. A significant number of traumatic brain injuries occur in auto accidents. Furthermore, another report recently showed that car accidents are the leading cause of fatal head injuries among adolescents. When people drive at night, it is difficult to see obstacles in the road. This could include:
- Other vehicles, particularly motorcycles.
- Pedestrians walking along the side of the street.
- Children crossing the road.
- Bicycles, especially those that lack reflective gear.
Because it is more challenging to spot other obstacles at night, the accidents could be more severe. Furthermore, these accidents could lead to brain injuries, which can cause long-term consequences and severe quality of life issues.
Watch YouTube video: Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury. This animated video demonstrates how a traumatic injury can damage the brain.
Contacting a Personal Injury Attorney
A traumatic brain injury can have significant adverse impacts on someone’s life. The CDC notes that:
- Between three and five million people are living in the United States with a disability stemming from a traumatic brain injury.
- Forty percent of individuals suffering a head or brain injury will continue to experience cognitive decline despite the efforts of medical professionals.
If a family member is suffering from a serious brain injury following an accident, it might be wise to meet with a personal injury lawyer. An attorney can work with you to review all of the options available and seek damages for pain and suffering. A lawyer can also work with professionals to reconstruct the accident and make sure that liability has been assigned appropriately.
Sacramento Brain Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Brain Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. Driving at night is dangerous, and everyone should take extra precautions. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Vary with Time of Day: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/ Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Vary with Time of Day.
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