Car accidents and falls are two of the leading causes of traumatic brain injury. Brain injury recovery depends on awareness—understanding the risks, recognizing the signs, and taking steps that support prevention and long-term improvement.
A blow to the head, such as the kind sustained by a fall or an automobile accident, can lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs are damage to the brain caused by an external force, resulting in a change in normal brain function.
Every year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with TBIs, and nearly 70,000 die.1 Despite these numbers, TBIs are still misunderstood, often leading to a delay in treatment, difficulty with rehabilitation, and permanent disability.2 Preventing brain injuries and knowing when to see a doctor—and why—are crucial to a successful recovery.
Types of TBIs
TBIs can be caused by blunt force trauma, where the brain is hit or jolted by an object or surface, causing internal damage such as bruising, fractures, or organ injury. This type often results from car crashes, falls, sports injuries, or assaults.
Another form of TBI may be caused by a rapid acceleration or deceleration, where the brain is violently moved around inside of the skull, leading to shearing or damage to the brain tissue. This type is especially common in car accident injuries where an individual might experience a whiplash injury.
Why Awareness Matters
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of a TBI and addressing them right away is crucial for achieving maximum recovery potential. It is important to be evaluated by a neurologist promptly after undergoing a head injury even if symptoms are mild, because the severity of the symptoms can have a delayed onset and the small indicators can worsen over time.
Aside from the most common signs of a head injury—headaches and dizziness—these are a few of the cognitive effects of TBI, which are often overlooked and can appear immediately or gradually:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty with finding words, or anomia
- Trouble focusing or concentrating
- Feeling foggy
People suffering from TBI may also experience mood changes, including:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Severe mood swings, or emotional lability
Related: Suffering a Concussion in an Accident: Get the Care You Need to Recover
Prevention & Mitigation
Once the brain has experienced structural damage to a TBI, there is no remedy for restoring brain function. Practicing prevention and mitigation is the most effective method for reducing the risk of TBI.
The leading cause of TBI is falls, accounting for nearly half.3 Brain injuries from car accidents are also common. For instance, unbelted drivers are twice as likely to have an abnormal head CT after a car crash than those wearing seatbelts.4
The brain can be protected from injury with simple, everyday safety measures, such as wearing helmets during biking and wheeled sports, using seat belts in cars, and minimizing fall risks at home.
Related: How to Stop Seasonal Slips, Trips, and Falls
Dr. Scott Pello, Medical Director of Excelsia’s Pennsylvania market and a board-certified neurologist and pain physician, shares expert insight into TBIs in the video below. Not all brain injuries show immediate cognitive symptoms, and even when they do, many overlook those signs. Watch now to become familiar with the signs and to learn why early evaluation matters.
TBI Treatment With Excelsia Injury Care
If you are in a car accident or suffer a fall, it is important to be evaluated by a medical professional. Our dedicated team of neurologists can perform a cognitive assessment and a neurological evaluation to create personalized treatment plans for patients suffering from a TBI that include cognitive therapy, neurological rehab, vestibular therapy, and physical therapy. Excelsia physicians are committed to helping patients regain their independence and improve their quality of life. Contact our team today.
Learn more about treating TBI and post-concussion syndrome.
1 https://www.internationalbrain.org/resources/brain-injury-facts.
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580082/.
3 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7790715/.
4 Ibid.