Car accidents can cause serious and debilitating injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. In 2010, 2.5 million traumatic brain injuries were suffered in the United States. During 2010, TBI was diagnosed following 280,000 hospital visits when the victim was hospitalized and during 2.2 million emergency department visits. Also in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TBI contributed to the death of 50,000 people. In addition, TBIs account for 30 percent of all injury-related deaths.
Traumatic brain injuries may result in permanent disability or death. Individuals that survive a TBI may often suffer significant disabilities and challenges in the future. The impact of a TBI on a victim can include impaired thinking, impaired memory, impaired movement, impaired sensation and impaired emotional function.
A TBI may be open or closed and results from trauma to the head that disrupts the brain’s normal function. TBIs can range from mild to severe. The impact of a TBI can be significant physically, financially and emotionally. Victims and family members of victims may suffer significant physical, financial and emotional challenges following a car accident that has resulted in a traumatic brain injury. The cost to treat TBI and permanent disabilities can be extensive. The total estimated cost of TBIs in 2010 was $76.5 billion.
From 2006 to 2010, car accidents accounted for nearly 15 percent of traumatic brain injuries. Because of the significant harm and disruption a TBI can cause, it is important that families are familiar with options that may help with damages suffered following a TBI which may include medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, lost-earning capacity and pain and suffering damages. When a car accident has wrongfully resulted in a TBI, a careless driver may be required to compensate the victims who have been harmed.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury,” Accessed Jan. 12, 2015
