Brain Injury Facts


What is a traumatic brain injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of such an injury may range from "mild," i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to "severe," i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function.

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How many people have TBI?

Of the 1.4 million who sustain a TBI each year in the United States:

  • 50,000 die;
  • 235,000 are hospitalized; and
  • 1.1 million are treated and released from an emergency department.

The number of people with TBI who are not seen in an emergency department
or who receive no care is unknown.

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What causes TBI?

The leading causes of TBI are:

  • Falls (28%);
  • Motor vehicle-traffic crashes (20%);
  • Struck by/against (19%); and
  • Assaults (11%).

Blasts are a leading cause of TBI for active duty military personnel in
war zones.

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For more facts on traumatic brain injury, please visit the Brain Injury Association of Colorado at www.biacolorado.org.

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