fbpx

Visit our offices in Kansas City, Liberty, St. Joe,
or our Virtual Office

Traumatic Brain Injuries on the Rise During the 2022 NFL Regular Season

Saturday, Feb. 11th 2023

According to NBC Sports, during the past 2022 NFL regular season, the League recorded a total of “149 concussions suffered across 271 games.” Compared to the 2021 regular season’s 126 concussions, 2022’s statistic marks a significant 18% rise in total traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

The NFL’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, states that this increase in concussion cases is partially due to the League’s amplification of the possibility for concussion protocol to be initiated. Each year, the NFL has become progressively more “cautious and conservative in [their] evaluation and diagnosis of concussions.”

Two of the most haunting player concussions in 2022 included:

  • Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who suffered a targeted, helmet-to-helmet blow in Week 10 – the fourth concussion of his NFL career.
  • Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered a head injury after being pushed backward by the defender and bouncing his head on the turf in Week 3 – one of three suspected concussions suffered in 2022 alone.

In both cases, JuJu and Tua exhibited a similar neurological response to their severe head trauma and/or injuries to the brain stem, called a decorticate or fencing posture. Their display of this posture after impact prompted an immediate response from the on-field medical staff.

Sadly, repeated injuries of this type – a common occurrence for many career NFL players – significantly increase the possibility of the sufferer “having cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety later in life,” according to The Football Players Health Study at Harvard University. The likelihood of this outcome is greatly increased for players who:

  • Report more concussion symptoms;
  • Play positions with higher concussion risk; and
  • Have a longer NFL career (Source).

Car Accidents: Another Major Cause of TBIs

Another life-altering event that often results in brain injury is a car accident. Currently the second leading cause of TBIs, car accidents make up 17.3% of traumatic brain injuries in the United States (Source).

The CDC states that these types of injuries are “usually caused by a violent blow or jolt to your head or body.” Such instances are common in both car collisions and tackle football. The severity of a collision or direct hit also directly correlates with the likelihood of a TBI, whiplash, or similar injury occurring – increased severity leads to a higher chance of experiencing a severe head injury.

Circumstances that often increase the severity of an accident – and the possibility of a life-changing or life-threatening TBI – include:

  • Increased rates of speed;
  • Not wearing a seat belt;
  • Being impaired while driving; and
  • Being struck directly in the side, versus the front or back, of the vehicle (Source).

When traumatic brain injuries are suffered, the diagnosed severity is spilt into three levels: Mild TBI, Moderate TBI, and Severe TBI. According to the CDC, Moderate and Severe TBIs are, unsurprisingly, the most serious and costly and may result in the sufferer needing “ongoing care to help with their recovery” for years or even the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, even with ongoing care, a full or partial recovery is not guaranteed.

severe TBI five year outcomes

Should You Call a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Experiencing a traumatic brain injury from a car accident is not something to be taken lightly. A TBI can dramatically affect the rest of a victim’s life, reducing their quality of life and the quality of life of those around them, including spouses, children, and other caretakers. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can help victims and their families win financial compensation and peace of mind while on the road to recovery.

Therefore, if you have been injured in a car accident, and you think it was someone else’s fault, then you should call a reputable and experienced personal injury lawyer to see if they can help you win your case.

Injured in a car accident in Missouri? Our legal team at Northland Injury Law is here to help! Text “HURT” to 22222 or call (816) 400-4878 today for a FREE personal injury consultation with our top-rated, highly experienced attorneys.


Follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more personal injury law content!


Google 5 Star Rating Motor Vehicle trial Lawyers Top 25 Hurt In An Accident?

Personal Injury

If you’ve been injured and aren’t sure where to turn, let us help. We represent individuals in many areas of personal injury including truck, auto and motorcycle accidents, property liability (slip & fall), spinal cord injuries, and more.

Worker's Comp

Injured at work? We can help! If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, we can help ensure you get full and fair compensation under the law.

REAL PEOPLE HELPING REAL PEOPLE

Our Personal Injury & Worker's Comp Attorneys

Northland Injury Law: Personal Injury Lawyers in Northland Kansas City and Northwest Missouri.

Proudly serving: Gladstone, Liberty, Kansas City, North Kansas City, Saint Joseph, Plattsburg, Cameron, Chillicothe, Trenton, Sedalia, Warrensburg and many other areas in Missouri.

The Northland Injury Law Firm has been practicing in the Kansas City area for many years. Our founders, Max Von Erdsmannsdorff and Steve Mowry, built a strong foundation for the firm. Since Eric Bartlett joined the firm in 1996, Northland Injury Law has earned a reputation for success, honesty and compassion in personal injury and worker’s compensation.

I found Northland Injury Law to be very professional and honest! They kept me up to date on my case. I would highly recommend the whole firm for all your legal needs!!” – Michael T.

Northland Injury Law is proud of the relationships they’ve built with the clients they have served in the Northland and surrounding areas.  Their many great results for seriously injured people have helped their clients recover the significant economic losses that attend such serious injuries.

When it comes to a lawsuit after an accident or injury, representation matters! Most people do not realize that insurance companies have teams of lawyers, investigators, photographers and defense experts who immediately go to work following a serious accident involving their insureds.  They hire these people to minimize their exposure throughout the claims process and to reduce the amount received by the victim. Northland Injury Law aims to level the playing field for their clients.

This is an excellent law firm. They helped me out after an accident and did an awesome job. I would recommend this law firm to anyone who needs a good lawyer.” – Toni B.

Between them, Mr. Mowry and Mr. Bartlett have over  50 combined years of legal experience in the Kansas City Northland area. They have both been recognized by KC Magazine as “Top attorneys in Missouri and Kansas” and both have been recognized in the National Top 100 Trial Attorneys.

If you require the services of excellent local lawyers after an accident or injury, call Northland Injury Law today for a free consultation at 816-400-4878.

Latest Blog

How To Choose A Personal Injury Attorney

Accidents don't come with a warning, leaving you grappling with injuries and a complex web of legalities. It's the kind of situation that can thrust you into a whirlwind of uncertainty, where decisions matter more than ever. A guiding hand...

Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about our Kansas City law firm, like how and when to file a suit for your Personal Injury & Worker’s Compensation.

View All FAQ's

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE EBOOKS!

Northland Injury Law © All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

Site Created by KC Web Specialists, LLC

Skip to content