One of the most catastrophic injuries that can be suffered in a car accident is a traumatic brain injury, or a TBI. Recovery times vary widely from one case to the next; while some recover well, others never fully recovery and could have permanent issues and even disabilities. Each case is different.
What is certain, though, is that TBIs are more common than many people realize. Every year, about 1.7 million people in the United States are diagnosed with this injury.
Out of these, statistics show that 52,000 of these people are fatally injured. Around 275,000 end up in the hospital, needing more extensive care. The other 1.365 million end up in the ER, get treatment, and are then released.
Those who compile these stats do note that no one knows how many people suffer from TBIs and don’t go get medical help. They are not included in the raw statistics, of course, meaning all of the injuries are more common than even these numbers would suggest.
The odds of suffering from a TBI in a car accident are also pretty high, as crashes are the second-leading known cause. A full 17.3 percent of brain injuries occur in auto accidents. Only falls rank higher, with 35.2 percent. After car accidents come events in which people are struck by outside forces, with 16.5 percent, and then assaults, with 10 percent.
A brain injury can change a person’s entire life, meaning he or she needs endless assistance and medical care, access to a rehabilitation center, and more. If your family is facing these types of costs, it may be wise to look into your rights to compensation.
Source: Brainline, “Facts About Traumatic Brain Injury,” accessed Dec. 01, 2016
