A brain injury can be utterly life changing. A person’s mood may be affected. They may be unable to walk or talk. In some instances, people do not survive.
Almost one year ago, a 19-year-old woman was involved in a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. The woman was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by a friend. The friend attempted to make a left turn when an SUV crashed into the car.
The impact of the car accident caused the woman’s brain to hit the side of her skull. She was left unable to breathe on her own or speak.
The now 20-year-old woman remained in the hospital for about six months. She was discharged only because her insurance had run out.
Nearly a year after the accident, the young woman is learning how to walk and talk again. Her family hopes that at some point she will be able to return to college and live on her own.
This young woman is not alone in her struggle to return to a normal life. Each year, about 1.7 million people experience a traumatic brain injury. Sadly, many of those injuries could have been prevented.
Car accidents happen all too frequently in New York City and beyond. People may suffer only minor injuries. However, some car accidents leave people suffering massive injuries. Many people do not survive car accidents.
Drivers must do all that they can to keep roads safe. One mistake can leave people suffering devastating injuries.
Source: Today Health, “Bringing Andrea back from brain injury: a father’s story,” Bill Briggs, June 13, 2012
