People in Arizona who have been involved in serious auto or work accidents often sustain traumatic brain injuries as a result. Traumatic brain injuries occur when a person suffers from a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of their brain. A sudden blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head can cause a traumatic brain injury.
According to data provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services, about 1.4 million people in the U.S. suffer from a traumatic brain injury every year. Currently, there are about 5.3 million people living with a disability that is related to a traumatic brain injury they have sustained. Fifty thousand deaths are linked to these types of brain injuries each year, and between 80,000 and 90,000 people become permanently disabled from these injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries can affect accident victims in many different ways. Many people with a traumatic brain injury suffer from depression and have problems with their cognitive functioning. Driving a car, managing finances, working and studying can all become great challenges for people who have sustained a traumatic brain injury. While there is an increased risk of unintentional death for people with a traumatic brain injury, data has also shown that there is a higher suicide rate.
A person who has suffered from a brain injury in an automobile accident as a result of another driver’s negligence has the right to claim financial compensation for the damages that have been sustained. A personal injury attorney can assist an accident victim in this situation to gather all of the appropriate documentation that can serve to demonstrate fault.