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Posted On: June 23, 2010

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists to Prevent Brain Injuries

In the summer months there are an increased number of motorcycles on the road and with this, the number of injuries and fatalities among riders increases. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 40% of motorcyclist deaths in 2008 occurred during June-August, compared to only 9% during December-February. They also reported that helmets are about 37% effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67% effective in preventing brain injuries.

Brain injuries can be life altering and severe. Even if you suffer a minor brain injury such as a concussion, it can render you inoperative for some time. According to Dr. Angela F. Gardner in The New York Times, “Every concussion increases the likelihood that you will have an injury to the brain if another concussion occurs.” In addition, “You don’t have to be going fast to hurt your brain.”

Many states, including Illinois, do not require riders or passengers to wear helmets. However, your chance of survival in a motorcycle accident begins with wearing one. The Illinois Department of Transportation offers additional safety tips on their website. These tips include staying out of trucks blind spots, driving defensively and cautiously, wearing high visibility clothing and performing proper maintenance and safety checks on your motorcycle.

Our Chicago accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti recommend that all motorcyclists wear helmets and remember these safe riding tips to avoid brain injury or death. Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, but it is important to take these precautions to ensure your safety.

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Posted In: Brain injury from motorcycle accidents, Concussions, Traumatic Brain Injury

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Posted On: June 14, 2010

Brain Injuries linked to Sleep Disorders

People with brain injuries may produce low amounts of melatonin which affect their sleep according to a recent study. The study was published in the May 25, 2010 print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. While it has been recognized for years that brain injuries and sleep issues are linked, the exact causes of these problems had not been determined.

The study examined the sleep patterns of 46 people. Half of the participants suffered a severe traumatic brain injury an average of 14 months ago. The other 23 participants were healthy people of the same age. The participants were monitored for two nights at a sleep laboratory. The study showed that healthy people produced more melatonin than the people with brain injuries in the evening hours when melatonin levels are suppose to rise to signal sleep. The study’s author suggests that this is problematic since melatonin is a hormone that regulates biological rhythms, including sleep.

The study also showed that people with brain injuries had other differences in their sleep patterns. The participants with brain injuries spent more time in non-REM sleep than the healthy group. Additionally, the group with brain injuries spent less of their time in bed actually asleep than the healthy participants.

Each year in the United States an estimated 1.4 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury which can disrupt the function of the brain. The leading causes of brain injuries are vehicle accidents and crashes, birth injuries, slips and/or falls and medical malpractice.

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Posted In: Brain injury trials

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Posted On: June 7, 2010

Chicago-Area Teen Who Died from Brain Injury Gives Others Hope

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that a Chicago-area teen who died after suffering a serious brain injury in a Chicago Heights car accident last week has helped to save the lives of others. The teen's family donated her organs, giving hope to others who are suffering from serious medical conditions. According to the article, the 16-year-old was involved in a serious car crash while riding as a passenger in her boyfriend's truck on May 31. A report from the Sun-Times from June 1 notes that there was a sudden downpour while they were driving in unincorporated Cook County. This report notes that the victim's boyfriend's truck fishtailed and hydroplaned as a result of the downpour, eventually moving into oncoming traffic where it was hit by another car. The girl was hospitalized in critical condition for a week before she passed away from her brain injury.

According to the CDC, over 1.7 million people suffer a brain injury each year and of these incidents, 52,000 people die from their injury. Traumatic brain injuries are most commonly caused in vehicle accidents, falls or in sports when a sudden impact or severe blow to one's head occurs. The CDC also notes that car and trucking accidents are the leading cause of brain injury deaths. Brain trauma ranges in severity, but can often cause physical and cognitive deficits and victims often must endure lifelong medical treatment. To learn more about the rate and causes of traumatic brain injury, click on the link.

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Posted In: Brain trauma from car accidents

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The purpose of this blog is to deliver news and information that is relevant to our areas of practice. The news and information reported on this blog represent the legal actions of attorneys throughout the United States. Our firm does not claim to represent plaintiffs in all of the lawsuits, settlements, and jury verdicts reported, only those noted as Levin & Perconti cases.

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