Some California car accidents may be more likely to cause traumatic brain injury. Among Americans aged 15 to 34, motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of emergency room visits, hospitalizations and fatalities linked to TBIs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When people are fatally injured, a TBI is to blame in around 30% of all cases. In order to have the best possible outcomes for TBI patients, early detection and prompt treatment may be particularly important. Because a TBI can have devastating, long-term effects, researchers are investigating which types of crashes may be more likely to lead to these injuries.
One researcher is bringing together the type of methods used to assess TBI risk in football or the military and applying them to car crashes. The research simulates the movement of a crash dummy in a collision, applying the movement data to a simulation of the brain to determine possible effects. The results can vary based on the speed of the motor vehicle or the angle of the impact. The researcher suggests that the model could be applied to the facts of different accidents in order to determine the likelihood of a brain injury. This information could be useful to first responders and medical professionals treating accident victims.
The research team aims to further improve its work by incorporating information gained from actual car accidents where victims suffered a TBI. This could help doctors and paramedics in future cases to apply treatment urgently to accident victims.
People may suffer the lifelong effects of a traumatic brain injury due to a motor vehicle accident caused by a negligent driver. A personal injury lawyer may help accident victims to pursue compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.
