Why March is the time to learn more about traumatic brain injuries

From falls and motor vehicle accidents to assaults and sporting events, there are a multitude of ways in which a person can suffer a traumatic brain injury.

While most of us appreciate just how devastating a TBI can be, we often fail to grasp just how common this type of trauma really is and, perhaps more significantly, just how much it can change a person's life.

In recognition of this reality, the Brain Injury Association of America has named March as Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time meant to raise awareness, share information with the public and recognize the struggle of TBI survivors.

In keeping with these admirable goals, consider some statistics from the Texas Brain Injury Alliance on TBIs here in the U.S.:

• 1.7 million people sustain some sort of brain injury here in the U.S. every year, with an average of 275,000 requiring hospitalization and 52,000 losing their lives.
• 5.3 million people are currently coping with some sort of disability related to a brain injury.
• TBIs rank as the leading cause of disability and death among both kids and young adults.

Closer to home, the Texas BIA has found the following:

• 144,000 Texans suffer TBIs every year.
• 5,700-plus Texans are left with permanent disabilities attributable to TBIs every year.
• 381,000-plus Texans are currently living with some sort of disability attributable to TBIs.

As disturbing as these statistics are, it's important for those left disabled by a TBI to know that there are resources available to them, including financial assistance in the form of Social Security disability benefits. Indeed, those who would like to learn more should consider speaking with a legal professional.

Source: Texas Brain Injury Alliance, "Brain injury statistics," Accessed March 11, 2015