Prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Due to Motor Vehicle Accidents

Many accidents take place in Los Angeles California. Based on statistics presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there had been 561 traffic fatalities in the area just in 2010.  This opens up a large probability that many who reside in such place had sustained Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI. 

This injury, which is usually suffered by people who were involved in vehicle accidents, is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the result of a bump, blow, or jolt in the head. In addition, it is a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal brain function. 

In this regard, the government should reconsider its programs that aim to curb problems regarding TBI.  Based on recent records of the CDC, it seems that the number of TBI victims is still on the rise. Accordingly, CDC states that every year, around 1.7 million people sustain TBI. The agency added that TBI is a factor for the 30.5 percent of all injury deaths in the country. To top it all, around 75 percent of TBI’s that happen every year are concussions or other mild forms.

Additionally, children are also considered as the most common victims of this kind of injury. About 473, 947 or half million of emergency department cases involved children aged 0-14 years because of TBI.

Two Head Injury Types That Can Be Sustained Following a Motorcycle Accident

Injuries that can be suffered in a motorcycle accident include bone fractures, skid as well as puncture wounds. This is evident if there are no protective padding on the limbs and other exposed parts of the body. Aside from bone fractures, injuries to the head can further complicate the state of health of the rider. Complications that come with head injuries include paralysis and coma. It could even kill the rider instantly.

It is important for motorcycle riders to always wear their helmets when operating the vehicle. The absence of the helmet increases the chances of the rider to be injured severely or be killed instantly on the event of the accident.  

There are two types of head injuries that can be sustained in a motorcycle accident. The first one is called closed head injuries. It does not involve any fractures to the skull, can easily be treated and has quick healing results. Examples of such head injury are concussions and contusions that are characterized with short loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness and nausea. This usually results from the impact of the head enclosed in the helmet upon impact.

The second one is called open head injuries. This kind of injury usually occurs when the rider does not wear a helmet. Because the head is exposed upon impact, skull fracture is most likely to happen. Puncture wounds may be evident, and could lead to other complications such as brain swelling and hemorrhage. Open head injuries can lead to paralysis, coma, or even death.

In this kind of injury, it is important that witnesses respond to the scene by contacting medical personnel for immediate treatment. To lessen such complications to the injury, one possible way of treating is through surgery.

Injuries and property damage in motorcycle accidents can be very costly. It is right for the victim or the victim’s family to ask for damage recovery, and one way to lessen the hassle in doing so is to hire one of the accident lawyers in Los Angeles.