The brain serves to interpret all the information we receive and to give us instructions on how to respond to that information. It is the brain that dictates behavior and allows a person to interact with the rest of the world. A brain injury of severe magnitude could leave someone unable to function without permanent assistance.
Fortunately, brain injuries are quite preventable. The Centers for Disease Control recommends doing the following to help prevent traumatic brain injuries:
- Wear a helmet when engaging in such activities as horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, skating and skiing.
- When riding in a motor vehicle, always fasten your seatbelt.
- When ammunition and firearms are not being used, keep them locked in a secure cabinet.
- Avoid falls by having handrails installed on stairways and by using step-stools that have grab bars.
As we wrote, it is possible to prevent traumatic brain injuries and the simple precautions listed above can help you do just that. However, all the caution in the world may not prevent an accident from occurring. A brain injury could leave a victim bereft of the cognitive ability necessary to live on his or her own. Long-term care for a person in this situation can be very expensive.
If your life, or the life of someone you love, has been seriously altered due to a brain injury attributable to the negligence of someone else, you may wish to seek damages from the responsible party. An Arizona brain injury attorney may be able to look into your case and provide you with legal assistance.