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.
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.
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