The Most Common Causes Of Brain Injuries

Did you know that 1.5 million Americans suffer from a serious head injury each year? Or that over 5 million people in the United States are living with long-term disabilities caused by traumatic brain injuries? It makes you wonder: how do these accidents happen, and what are the most common causes of head injuries?

Here are the top five:

• Traffic accidents. The most common cause of head injury is car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents. These injuries affect people of all ages and range from mild concussions to fatal open head brain injuries.
• Firearms. The second most common cause of head injuries is comprised of gun wounds from murders, assaults, suicides, and accidents. These head injuries are the most likely to be fatal.
• Falls. People over the age of 65 are the most likely to suffer a brain injury during a fall. A slip or trip might result in a mild brain injury, while a fall from a great height or a fall involving striking an object could result in a very serious head injury and even death.
• A lack of oxygen. If your brain does not receive enough oxygen, it can become permanently damaged. This may happen during a swimming accident or during stroke or a surgical mistake.
• Tumors or infections. The brain can be badly damaged by a growing tumor or a viral or bacterial infection. In some case, these brain injuries could have been prevented if not for missed diagnoses or other types of medical malpractice.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a traumatic brain injury that could have been prevented or that was not your fault, be sure to speak with a head injury lawyer about your case. At Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton, we have extensive experience with these cases and offer free, confidential meetings with prospective clients.



About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a VA injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling cases brought by victims of traumatic brain injury and closed head injuries. In fact, in 2000, our firm helped a plaintiff receive what was then the largest verdict ever in a Virginia brain injury case. Then in the year 2012 we won a $21 million brain injury verdict.  We also have a blog in which we discuss only topics related to brain injuries and head wounds. 

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008.Shapiro and Lewis have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2008. Fewer than 5 percent of lawyers receive this professional honor. In addition, our firm was the first in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our VA injury law firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.
We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Suffolk and Newport News if you or a family member has been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness. While not every case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential consultations. Call us toll-free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can get back to you.