Every year, about 2.8 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Of these, about 80,000 people suffer permanent, life-changing consequences, and another 50,000-69,000 die as a result of their injuries.
That means every year, about 150,000 lives are thrust into a new, difficult way of living. Understanding the different types of traumatic brain injury and what causes them can provide context if you and your family have been struggling with a TBI’s devastating effects.
The sad truth is that many, if not most, of these horrible injuries are entirely preventable. If someone else’s negligence caused a head injury, it’s natural to want answers—and accountability. After all, the effects of one individual’s TBI can ripple throughout every aspect of your life and the lives of those around you.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury (sometimes called an acquired brain injury, or ABI) happens when the brain is damaged by an external force, such as a blow to the head, a slip and fall, or a car accident. The damage can disrupt normal brain function, affect memory and thinking, and even lead to permanent disability or death.
There are several ways a TBI can occur. Some are classified as closed head injuries, where the skull remains intact, and others are penetrating injuries, where something breaks through the skull and harms the brain tissue directly. Both can lead to serious consequences, but the type and severity of the injury determine how it affects brain function.
Mild, Moderate, and Severe TBIs
TBIs are typically classified based on their severity:
A mild TBI, such as a concussion, may cause brief changes in consciousness or mental status but often heals with rest and monitoring. However, even mild TBIs can have lasting effects if they happen repeatedly or aren’t properly treated.
A moderate TBI involves a longer loss of consciousness, usually from a few minutes to several hours, and may manifest as confusion, memory loss, brain swelling, and other symptoms. These injuries often require more intensive treatment and longer recovery times.
A severe TBI can result in extended unconsciousness or a coma. These injuries may cause permanent damage to brain cells, changes in behavior or personality, and loss of key motor or cognitive functions.
TBI Labels Can Be Misleading
As we’ve mentioned, doctors usually describe traumatic brain injuries as mild, moderate, or severe. These labels are part of a standard diagnostic tool called the Glasgow Coma Scale, which helps medical providers diagnose the injury.
But there’s a caveat. A TBI diagnosis does not correspond to prognosis. The labels don’t tell you how long symptoms might last or how much they might impact your life. They only relate to observable symptoms at the time of diagnosis
It’s not uncommon for people diagnosed with a “mild” TBI to experience persistent symptoms for months or even years. Cognitive issues, emotional swings, chronic headaches, and memory problems can linger long after the initial injury, sometimes worsening over time. On the other hand, someone diagnosed with a “severe” TBI could regain full function over time with the right treatment and support.
That’s why it’s important to understand that these labels don’t predict recovery. They don’t describe the complexity of the injury or how deeply it may affect your brain function, relationships, or ability to work. No two brain injuries are exactly alike, even when doctors use the same word to describe them.
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, don’t be misled by the label. Every TBI is unique, and recovery often takes time, support, and serious attention, even when the diagnosis is “mild.”
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
While brain injuries can happen in many ways, certain types of accidents are more likely to lead to serious harm. When someone else’s negligence or recklessness causes a TBI, it may also become the basis for a personal injury claim.
Below are some of the most frequent causes of TBIs, particularly in situations where legal liability may apply.
Falls and unsafe premises
Slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of accidental brain injuries each year. Falls from ladders, stairs, uneven flooring, or wet surfaces can cause the head to strike the ground or another object. In many cases, these falls are entirely preventable.
Older adults and children are especially vulnerable to falls, but anyone can suffer a TBI from a sudden accident on an unsafe property. Whether the fall occurs at a store, apartment complex, workplace, or private residence, property owners may be held legally responsible if they failed to fix hazards or warn others of dangers.
TBIs from falls can result in:
- Skull fractures
- Brain bleeding
- Fluid buildup in the brain (hydrocephalus)
- Long-term neurological disorders
Motor vehicle accidents
Car crashes are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. Truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, rideshare incidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian injuries are all examples of motor vehicle crashes that often cause TBI.
A TBI from a motor vehicle crash can occur even when there’s no direct blow to the head. The force of a sudden stop, rapid deceleration, or whiplash can cause the brain to move within the skull.
Common legal causes of TBI-related crashes include:
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Failure to yield or obey traffic signals
- Unsafe road conditions
- Vehicle or equipment failure
Violence and physical assaults
Acts of violence, including gunshot wounds, domestic abuse, and child abuse, are another major cause of traumatic brain injuries. These are often some of the most severe cases, as the injury may involve penetrating TBI, extreme brain tissue damage, or ongoing trauma over time.
Shaken baby syndrome, for instance, is a tragic form of child abuse that can cause permanent brain damage or brain death. Survivors of intimate partner violence often suffer repeated head injuries that go undiagnosed and can lead to long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical problems.
These injuries may also open the door to both criminal charges and civil claims for damages, either against an individual perpetrator or an institution that failed to protect the victim, such as a school, nursing home, or foster care agency.
Sports and recreational injuries
Sports and recreational activities are a common cause of brain injuries, especially among teens, young adults, and children. Contact sports, such as football, soccer, hockey, and wrestling, pose high TBI risks. So do activities like cycling, skateboarding, and climbing.
Legal liability in sports-related TBI cases may arise from:
- Poorly maintained equipment (such as faulty helmets)
- Inadequate supervision or training
- Failure to follow safety protocols
- Coaching negligence
Whether someone suffers from a single violent impact or years of repetitive trauma, sports injuries to the brain must be taken seriously, especially in younger athletes, whose brains are still developing.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Not all brain injuries are the same. The damage can range from microscopic disruptions in brain function to severe and visible trauma. Understanding the different types of traumatic brain injuries can help you make sense of the symptoms, treatment needs, and legal implications that may follow.
Medical professionals typically categorize TBIs into two broad types: closed head injuries and penetrating injuries.
- A closed head injury occurs when the skull remains intact, but the brain is jolted or compressed inside. This often happens during motor vehicle crashes, falls, or sports injuries. Even without outward signs of damage, the brain can still suffer serious harm from internal movement, swelling, or bruising.
- A penetrating TBI (or open head injury) occurs when something pierces the skull and directly damages brain tissue. This type of injury is commonly seen in violent assaults, construction accidents, or high-speed collisions involving flying debris.
Within these two categories are several distinct types of TBIs, each with its own medical and legal considerations.
Concussion
A concussion is one of the most commonly reported types of traumatic brain injury. It is often referred to as a mild TBI, though, as discussed earlier, the term "mild" can be misleading. Concussions usually result from a sudden blow to the head or violent shaking that causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull.
While some people recover in a matter of weeks, others may develop post-concussion syndrome, which includes symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, headaches, and trouble concentrating that persist for months.
Hemorrhage and hematoma
A hemorrhage refers to uncontrolled bleeding either within the brain itself (intracerebral hemorrhage) or in the space between the brain and the skull (subarachnoid hemorrhage). These injuries are life-threatening and require immediate medical intervention.
A hematoma, by contrast, is a buildup of blood outside the vessels, often caused by a blow to the head. As blood collects and pressure builds inside the skull, it can compress brain tissue and impair vital functions. Hematomas may not appear immediately, which is why monitoring after any head injury is crucial.
Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
Among the most serious brain injuries is the diffuse axonal injury, which often occurs in high-speed accidents or assaults involving significant blunt force trauma. DAI happens when the brain twists inside the skull, tearing the delicate nerve cells (axons) that transmit messages between different areas of the brain.
This shearing damage can lead to a minimally conscious state, prolonged coma, or even brain death. Even if a person survives, they may experience long-term cognitive difficulties, coordination problems, and behavioral changes.
Coup-contrecoup injuries
A coup-contrecoup injury happens when the brain is injured in two places: first, at the point of impact, and second, on the opposite side after it bounces back. These injuries are common in rear-end collisions and violent falls, where the head is suddenly thrust forward and back.
The dual trauma can damage brain cells and disrupt cranial nerves, leading to symptoms like double vision, balance problems, and memory loss. In severe cases, both sides of the brain may be affected, complicating treatment and recovery.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
One of the most challenging aspects of a traumatic brain injury is that it’s usually invisible. You may look fine on the outside, but inside, your brain could be struggling to regulate thought, movement, mood, or memory. For many people, symptoms don’t appear right away, and when they do, they can be confusing, frightening, and easy to overlook.
Symptoms can vary from person to person
How a person experiences TBI symptoms depends on which areas of the brain are affected, how the injury occurred, and whether other complications, like swelling or bleeding, are present.
Some people begin experiencing TBI symptoms within minutes or hours. For others, signs may take days or even weeks to show up.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent or worsening headache
- Nausea or repeated vomiting
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Blurred vision or dilated pupils
- Slurred speech
- Loss of coordination or motor control
- Emotional symptoms like irritability, anxiety, or mood swings
- Sleep disturbances (sleeping more or less than usual)
In more severe cases, a person may experience seizures, loss of consciousness, or enter a minimally conscious state.
Degenerative and delayed effects
TBIs can also increase the risk of degenerative neurological disorders, especially with repeated head injuries. For example:
- Post-traumatic dementia can develop years after a moderate or severe injury
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) may occur from repeated hits to the head—even without a single major concussion
- Depression, Parkinson’s disease, and even Alzheimer’s-like conditions are often seen in people with a history of TBI
Unfortunately, the damage caused by a TBI can also shorten life expectancy. Studies suggest that people with moderate to severe brain injuries may face a reduced lifespan of up to nine years, often due to complications like infections, pneumonia, or subsequent injuries.
Emotional and financial toll
Beyond the physical and cognitive impact, a TBI often causes deep emotional strain. You may grieve the life you had before the injury. You might worry about returning to work, continuing your education, or caring for your children. Relationships may shift as loved ones take on new roles, sometimes as full-time caregivers.
The financial costs can also be staggering. In addition to immediate medical expenses, you may face:
- Lost income or job opportunities
- Ongoing therapy or rehabilitation
- Home modifications or assistive equipment
- Mental health support
If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be legally entitled to compensation to help cover these losses.
When a Brain Injury Becomes a Legal Matter
Traumatic brain injuries don’t just affect your health—they can impact every part of your life. If your injury was caused by someone else’s careless or reckless actions, you may have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim.
But knowing whether you have a case—and how to pursue one—can be complicated. Here's what you should understand.
How negligence plays a role
In legal terms, negligence means that someone failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure caused harm. When it comes to brain injuries, common examples of negligence might include:
- A driver who was texting or intoxicated and caused a crash
- A property owner who didn’t fix a known hazard that led to a fall
- A business or school that failed to supervise an activity where a head injury occurred
- A manufacturer that produced defective safety equipment
If your TBI was the result of someone else’s dangerous behavior or their failure to take action to prevent harm, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover damages.
Compensation for Traumatic Brain Injuries
If your legal claim is successful, you may be eligible for compensation that covers:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional trauma or mental health care
- Modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate disability
A personal injury claim can’t erase the trauma of a brain injury, but it can give you the financial resources to access the care and support you need to move forward with your life.
You Don’t Have to Face a Brain Injury Alone
A traumatic brain injury can change your life in ways you never expected. And if by someone else’s actions, you deserve answers and accountability.
At AP Law Group, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a brain injury can take. Our Houston personal injury lawyers are committed to helping people and families who’ve been affected by traumatic brain injuries get the support they need and the justice they deserve.
We handle every part of your case so you can focus on healing. From collecting medical records and building strong evidence to dealing with insurance companies and negotiating fair compensation, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Don’t wait to get help. The sooner you act, the more options you may have. Call (713) 913-4627 or contact us online for a free consultation. There’s no cost to speak with us, and no obligation to move forward. Just answers, support, and a team ready to fight for you.