Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by a traumatic event such as a motor vehicle accident, a fall, a sports-related incident, or a violent act TBI can range from mild to severe, and can have short-term or long-term effects on a person’s cognitive, emotional, and physical functioning. TBI can also be referred to as “acquired brain injury” or “traumatic brain injury”.
TBI occurs when an external force, such as a blow to the head, causes damage to the brain. This type of injury can occur when a person experiences blunt force trauma to the head, a rapid acceleration or deceleration of the head, or an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain.
The five best examples of how TBI can occur are:
1. Motor Vehicle Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of TBI, and can involve a direct trauma to the head caused by a collision or a dislocation of the brain within the skull caused by the sudden stop of a vehicle.
2. Falls: Falls are the second leading cause of TBI and can occur when a person trips and hits their head, or when a person falls from a height and their head is impacted by the ground or an object.
3. Sports-Related Injuries: Sports-related injuries can occur from participating in contact sports or from a single, high-impact event, such as a tackle in football or a header in soccer.
4. Acts of Violence: Acts of violence such as a gunshot wound, a physical assault, or a domestic violence incident can cause TBI.
5. Penetrating Injuries: Penetrating injuries occur when an object breaks the skull and enters the brain, such as a bullet, shrapnel, or a bone fragment. These injuries are more likely to cause severe TBI.