The two leading causes of traumatic brain injury are motor vehicle accidents and slip and fall injuries, situations that often befall older individuals. In fact, older Americans have been identified as at least likely to die or be injured in a car crash, following only young, inexperienced drivers as an at-risk group. While auto accident casualties in elderly individuals are on the rise, traumatic brain injury can be a lasting effect of both minor and serious car crashes, leading to conditions such as cognitive dysfunction, memory loss and more serious complications.

Car Crashes Pose Multiple Threats of Brain Damage

Both minor and major car crashes carry the threat of traumatic brain injury and lasting damage to elderly victims. Potential injuries include whiplash-type axonal injury, which affects the "white matter" of the brain, and contusion injuries in which the cerebral cortex of the brain is injured by a direct blow. Car crashes can cause skull fractures, which not only expose brain tissue to potential infection and further injury, but which may cause bone shards to cut into brain tissue and cause lasting injury. Car crashes usually cause two brain injuries: the first brain injury, which occurs on impact with a blunt objects such as the steering wheel or floor, and the secondary or "contrecoup" injury which occurs when the brain continues its motion after the body comes to an abrupt halt and "bounces" off of the opposite side of impact. The impact of a car crash can cause contusions, cuts and even hemorrhaging within the brain, leading to temporary or permanent damage.

Why Are The Elderly At Such High Risk for Traumatic Brain Injury?

It is simple, but true: older individuals are more vulnerable to injury than younger ones. This is due in part to the body's decreased ability to regenerate and recover from accidents and impacts as it ages. However, gender is also a factor, and as the population ages, it begins to skew towards a higher woman-to-man ratio. Elderly women are more frail than men of comparable age, and are thus more susceptible to injury; in addition, weakening bones and the effects of osteoporosis can also skew the number of female skull fractures and associated brain injury.

But gender is not the only factor in elderly drivers' susceptibility to car crashes and resultant traumatic brain injury. Elderly drivers are more likely to have deteriorating eyesight, which can put them at risk for car accidents. Many older drivers take medications which may impair their reaction times and decision-making ability. Brain impairment, dementia, hearing loss and limiting conditions such as arthritis or Parkinson's can decrease driving ability. And while elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in multi-car crashes and commit minor moving violations, often older drivers are unable or unwilling to sacrifice their independence by acknowledging a decline in their own driving skills.

Reducing TBI Risk for Elderly Drivers

Health and safety should be of primary concern to elderly drivers and their caretakers. If an aging driver decides to continue driving, there are a number of defensive driving and "refresher" courses available to help them continue to drive safely. An active, healthful lifestyle is likely to keep reflexes fresh and cognitive function high. However, all drivers will eventually face the decision of whether to give up their license. This decision can be reached with the help of supportive caretakers and family members who help the elderly driver transition into a lifestyle that is still independent, but which entails other options such as public transportation, accessibility programs, ride-sharing or transitioning to dependence on home delivery services and destinations within walking distance.

If You've Been Affected By Traumatic Brain Injury

Unfortunately, even keeping elderly drivers off the road does not eliminate the possibility of traumatic brain injury in the aging population. If you or a loved one have been affected by the devastating effects of traumatic brain injury contact an experienced TBI lawyer to discuss possible compensation for your medical and monetary losses.