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Common Causes of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

By Hess & Nghiem on April 10, 2020

Mild traumatic brain injuries are a fairly common occurrence, a good knock is sufficient to cause a mild TBI. Common causes include car, motorcycle crashes, falls, sports injuries, assaults. TBI is a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, jolt, or penetrating head injury.

TBIs can range from mild to severe, with about 2 million total cases of TBI each year. At the severe end of the scale, the consequences of a TBI can be catastrophic, potentially leading to severe permanent impairment. Even so-called “mild” TBIs can have lasting consequences, however. If you have suffered any TBI, you should consult a Santa Ana personal injury attorney to explore your legal options.

Falls Top the List of Mild TBI Causes

Just as mild TBIs are common, so, too, are the top causes. Most involve simple participation in everyday life. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly half of all TBIs are caused by falls, with being struck by or against an object the second-leading cause. Other major causes of TBIs include traffic accidents – the third-leading cause — athletic injuries, and physical assaults.

One federal study found that while occupant restraint systems in modern cars, including airbags and three-point seat belts, reduced the incidence of severe TBI in car crashes, it actually increased the incidence of mild TBIs. Of the roughly 1.5 million to 2 million cases of TBI annually, about 1.1 million people will suffer a mild injury that does not necessitate admission to a hospital.

However, mild TBIs also can have a long-term impact. Generally defined as a head injury involving less than 30 minutes of unconsciousness, a mild TBI typically results in less brain damage than more severe forms. While a brain scan of the victim of a mild TBI could appear normal, a mild TBI nonetheless can result in a number of lasting health problems, including:

  • Headaches
  • Memory loss
  • Inability to concentrate or pay attention for long periods
  • Mood swings
  • Loss of ability to focus on complex issues.

Symptoms of a mild TBI usually go away quickly, but not all minor brain injuries heal rapidly. As many as 15 percent of those suffering mild TBIs suffer continuing symptoms. Victims of a mild TBI, particularly those who do not lose consciousness or do so only briefly, either don’t seek medical attention or are quickly released from the hospital because doctors find no immediate evidence of major injury. Lack of initial treatment can aggravate any symptoms that recur later. Often, that lack of initial treatment prevents or inhibits linking the later symptoms to the initial injury, making treatment difficult or less effective.

If You Have Suffered a Mild TBI, Contact the Santa Ana Personal Injury Attorneys of Hess & Nghiem


If you have suffered a mild TBI in an accident, you should consult a Santa Ana brain injury attorney. The personal injury attorneys of Hess & Nghiem are ready to help. You can reach us at (657) 333-5726 or through our website.

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