March is Brain Injury Awareness (BIAA) month and provides awareness to people affected by brain injuries. There are two types of brain injuries: a non-traumatic brain injury and a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries
Non-traumatic brain injuries occur due to changes in brain function. Incidents may induce these kinds of injuries such as stroke, seizure, electric shock or drug overdose, but are not always.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
TBIs occur when an external force is exerted on the brain during events like falls, assaults, gunshot wounds or car accidents. Over half of TBIs result from car crashes due to the force taking place. The speed of the vehicle in a crash combined with the collision causes the brain to collide with the interior of the skull. In an event like this, the collision may leave a bruise on the brain beyond the initial impact. Additionally, blunt trauma can be experienced in a crash because many people hit their head, like on the windshield or steering wheel.
The seriousness of brain injuries ranges from minor to severe depending on the incident. A TBI can also occur without losing consciousness and signs may not be noticed immediately.
If you are in a car accident and hit or scratch your head, make sure you see a medical professional. If you see signs after the accident, like dizziness, balance problems, headaches or confusion, seek immediate medical attention.
To support BIAA visit: https://www.biausa.org/support/donate-your-way.
For further information or to schedule a free initial consultation call 866.452.3741 or visit www.merdes.com. The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are; and while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do.
