Brain Injury

Every 21 seconds, a person in the United States sustains a traumatic brain injury. An estimated 5.3 million Americans live with disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injuries. 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year and more than 50,000 people die of a result of a traumatic brain injury. See, Brain Injury Association of America at www.biausa.org. A traumatic brain injury is defined as an insult to the brain, not of a degenerative or congenital nature but caused by an external physical force that may produce or diminish an altered case of consciousness which result in an impairment of cognizant abilities or physical function. It can also result in the disturbance of behavioral or emotional function. These impairments may be either temporary or permanent and cause partial or total functional disability or psychosocial maladjustment. See, Brain Injury Association of America, What is Brain Injury? at www.biausa.org.

Brain injury is often a result of a motor-vehicle accident. If a person is driving a car at 45 miles per hour and is struck head-on by another car, the person’s brain goes from 45 miles per hour to 0 in an instant. The soft tissue of the brain is propelled against the very hard bone of the skull causing the brain tissue to squish against the skull and the blood vessels may tear. When the blood vessels tear, they release blood into areas of the brain. There is no room for this extra blood and it continues to press on brain tissue which is very delicate. In the process of healing, the brain tissue stops working properly and dies. Some people have sustained a head injury and seem “just fine” right after an accident. Some have gotten out of a car and directed traffic. Bruising/bleeding of the brain is called a “contra-coup” injury. See, http://www.tbiguide.com

Other forms of brain injuries involve tearing of the brain tissue. In these instances, only 10 of 15 % have positive CT scans or MRI findings.

For one of the best summaries on traumatic brain injury on the internet, visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke website at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/detail_tbi.htm

If you, a loved one or a close family friend have suffered the misfortune of sustaining a brain injury as a result of an accident, contact us at 888-435-2465 or contact us by e-mail for further information on brain injury. Note that this information on brain injury is not to be construed as medical advice and only be considered as general information. Every matter is different and we urge you to seek the medical advice of a competent health care professional such as a medical doctor, or neurologist to diagnose your condition. Contact the Brain Injury Association of Florida at or visit their website at http://www.biaf.org for information and resources on brain injury in Florida. Contact us at (888) 435-2465, e-mail us or fill out the consultation form to the right if you, a loved one or a close family friend have had an aviation accident or have been the victim of a brain injury. We want to help.