Whether you’re just taking a stroll, driving a vehicle, or just standing, you might get into an accident. When such incidents occur, these could result in very serious and life-changing injuries. Brain and spinal cord injuries, for instance, are two examples of grave conditions that will change a victim’s way of life.

What are Brain Trauma and Spinal Injury?

– Brain Injury

Brain injury refers to trauma to the brain. There are several classifications depending on the degree and location of the injury. The types of injuries sustained in accidents are often classified under traumatic brain injury (TBI), wherein an external force causes the damage to the brain. This is also known as head injury, which is a more general term, and intracranial injury. TBI causes death or disability.

– Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when there is damage to the spinal column. The severity of the damage and its subsequent effects normally depend on the location of the injury. For instance, severe injury to the cervical area (neck) can cause death or paralysis from the neck (the site of the injury) downwards. Injury to lower areas, such as the lower back or lumbar vertebrae, might cause paralysis to the lower limbs only. Hence, like TBI, SCI can also be a cause of death or disability.

How to Avoid Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

Although accidents occur when you least expect it, there are still many things that you can do to avoid getting seriously injured. Below are a few tips.

1. Safety first. If you are driving, the simple act of wearing a seatbelt can save you from serious harm. Child safety seats must also be used. For motorcycle drivers, they should always wear safety gear as well, especially helmets. SCIs and TBIs can also occur during diving. Therefore, avoid diving in a pool or any body of water if you’re not familiar with it. When playing sports, wear appropriate safety gear as well.

2. Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Do not hitch a ride if you know that the driver is drunk. Also, do not drive if you are taking prescribed medicine that alters physical performance or slows down reflexes.

3. Be safe at home and at work. At home, regularly check for loose tiles, deep holes or cracks, wobbly steps or chandeliers, and other things that could cause you or someone else to slip or trip. In the office, tell the management if you notice folds on the carpet, dim staircases, slippery floors, or loose flooring.

4. Do not ever leave any type of firearm just lying about. Recently, there have been one too many news stories about very young kids, some as young as five and below, who have accidentally fired loaded guns; and they accidentally killed or seriously injured their friends or family. Therefore, be a responsible gun owner and always keep firearms under lock and key.

When an Accident Isn’t Your Fault

If you were taking all the precautions and you got into an accident because someone else was being careless, you have every right to sue the party at fault. Contact an injury lawyer who can help you with the legal process. It’s important to file a case because you have to be compensated for your injury as well as losses, especially if you have lost your earnings for being absent. More importantly, making sure that the negligent party is brought to justice helps in ensuring that such incidents don’t happen to others in the future.

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About the author: Claire Wolfe is a full-time freelancer who specializes in personal injury. She encourages people to learn more about what they can do legally in case they find themselves injured physically or psychologically.