Preventing a Brain Injury
While brain injuries have a wide range of severity and a myriad of causes, each should be met with immediate attention. From a soccer game concussion to a traumatic brain injury, be sure to seek proper medical care in the wake of an accident.
Though post-accident care is necessary, it is most valuable first to consider how you might prevent a brain injury in each instance of particular risk.
Reduce your risk of a brain injury
While Driving:
- Wear your seat belt. This may be the most essential means of brain injury prevention. And while the simple act of buckling up is easy to underestimate, this prevents as many as half of all serious car crash injuries and deaths. So, always wear your seat belt and make the necessary car seat accommodations for your children.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol is a leading cause of fatal car accidents. About one in three crash-related deaths are the product of drunk driving. And these tragedies are entirely preventable. So, never underestimate your impaired state while under the influence of any sort of drugs or alcohol.
- Refrain from cell phone use while you drive. You may well know the incessant buzz of notifications, texts, and calls. And as a result, you are likely tempted to check and respond to these, even while you drive. Yet despite the demands for constant connectivity and immediate response, you must resist cell phone use while you operate your vehicle. According to the University of Utah, cell phone use makes you four times more likely to be involved in a severe car crash.
While Having Fun:
- Wear a helmet. This is applicable advice for any number of activities. From snow sports to the football field, make sure to include your helmet in the safety garb of every high-risk activity you do. Helmets are proven to be particularly beneficial for bike riding safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bike helmets are 90 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. Never hit the trails without one!
For Older Adults and Young Children:
Older adults and young children are at a higher risk for falls and subsequent brain injury. However, there are several ways to encourage their safety among hazards. For older adults, it is valuable to incorporate handrails on staircases and in bathrooms and to remove slip and fall treats inside your home. For children, utilize window guards and baby safety gates to prevent falls, and seek playgrounds with high safety standards such as shock-absorbing ground materials. Brain injuries are among the most catastrophic results of an accident. They will change an individual’s life forever and pose few opportunities for recovery.
So, be sure to implement safety measures in all facets of your life. Whether you’re driving down the road or taking your child to the playground, consider how you might prevent a brain injury. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury by another’s negligence, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. We are here to advocate for you with expert legal counsel and advisement. In this challenging time, our attorneys are prepared to serve you.
William Shapiro has handled catastrophic injury/wrongful death actions for over 4 decades obtaining numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. Honors include: 2022, 2016 and 2013 OCTLA “Top Gun” TLY; 2022 CAOC TLY Finalist; 2018 “Lifetime Achievement Award” Western State College of Law, 2021 & 2017 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year; 2016 WSBCBA “TLY”; 2015 CAL-ABOTA “TLY”; 2014 “TLY” Consumer Attorneys of CAOIE; 2011 “Hall of Fame,” Western State College of Law; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; International Academy of Trial Lawyers; International Society of Barristers; Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); National Board of Trial Advocacy; specialist in Trial Advocacy, State Bar of California; “Best Lawyers in America” and “Tier 1 Best Law Firms” U.S. News; AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell; SuperLawyers; Past President of: San Bernardino/Riverside chapter ABOTA; San Bernardino County Bar Association; Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire; The Joseph. B. Campbell American Inn of Court; Consumer Attorneys of California; IE ; National Sec of ABOTA, Adjunct professor, Western State College of Law. Learn more here.