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It does not take much to cause a brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries can occur in relatively minor accidents — a collision involving speeds of only 15 miles per hour can exert forces 10 times that of gravity on the skull and brain.

How the Brain Can Be Injured
In a car accident, a TBI can occur when the head strikes the steering wheel or windshield. But did you know that you do not have to hit your head to incur a brain injury? When you are traveling at say 50 mph and crash, your brain goes from 50 mph to zero instantly. The brain is propelled into the skull bone, squishing the brain, and potentially tearing microfibers and damaging blood vessels — causing a brain injury without a head strike.

If the blood vessels tear, blood can flood the brain. The problem is that there is no space for the blood and it pushes on brain tissue. Brain tissue is delicate and can stop working properly or even die. If there is a large amount of bleeding in the brain, the pressure can lead to major complications. Areas that control breathing or heart rate can stop functioning. Within hours of the accident life can hang in the balance. You may not even realize it until it is too late.

Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics

• Car crashes are responsible for 20% of the reported TBIs.
• 5.3 million Americans (2% of the population) are currently living with long-term disabilities as a result of TBIs, requiring help to perform daily activities.
• Medical costs and indirect costs of TBIs totaled nearly $60 billion in the United States in 2000.

A traumatic brain injury can cause a wide range of functional changes affecting thinking, sensation, speech, and/or emotions. The changes may be subtle. The symptoms may not appear for days or weeks following the injury. A TBI may even be missed because the victim may look fine even though they may act or feel differently. If you have recently been in a car accident, be alert for symptoms of traumatic brain injury. Ask friends and family members if they see signs of TBI, because very often it is not obvious to the victim. If in doubt, seek medical attention.

For more information on TBIs, check out our series of videos on Myths of Traumatic Brain Injuries or call 612-362-0000. TSR Injury Law is a leading personal injury law firm serving the state of Minnesota. Our partners are experts in handling traumatic brain injury cases.

Tags: Brain Injury, Head Trauma, Minnesota Car Accident, Minnesota Car Accident Attorney, Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer, Minnesota Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI