Top 5 Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Portland is a vibrant city known for its creative culture, forested surroundings, and welcoming neighborhoods. With busy downtown streets, lively local cafes, green parks, and long rainy seasons that keep the city lush, Portland blends urban energy with the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Its constant movement, from traffic to construction to crowded intersections, shapes everyday life for residents.

In a city this active, accidents can happen quickly, and a single fall or crash can lead to serious head injuries. When a traumatic brain injury turns life upside down, having a Portland brain injury attorney becomes essential. Someone who understands Portland’s legal system, local law, and the challenges that come with brain injury cases can guide you through the process and help protect you from overwhelming medical and financial stress.

1. Slip and Fall

Falls are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries. It can happen anywhere: slipping on ice outside a store that never salted the walkway, tripping over broken pavement, or using stairs with loose or unstable railings. Although seniors and young children are at higher risk, anyone can suffer a serious head injury from a bad fall.

Property owners have a duty to keep their spaces safe. If an entrance is covered in ice with no warning signs, or if a hazardous condition is left untouched, they can be held responsible. A skilled attorney will collect accident reports, check surveillance footage, and review maintenance records to show that the property owner knew, or should have known, about the danger and failed to fix it.

2. Vehicle Accidents

Car crashes, motorcycle collisions, and pedestrian accidents are major sources of brain injuries. A sudden impact can push your head towards the steering wheel, a window, or a door frame. Even with airbags, the brain can still move violently inside the skull, causing serious damage.

When a distracted driver, drunk driver, or reckless motorist causes the crash, they are responsible for the harm that follows. Police reports document what happened, but insurance companies often try to minimize brain injury claims because the damage isn’t always visible. An experienced lawyer makes sure the full extent of the injury is recognized and compensated.

3.   Sports and Recreation

Contact sports and high-impact activities also contribute to many TBIs. Football tackles, soccer headers, boxing hits, and skateboarding falls can all lead to concussions or more severe injuries. In some youth programs, safety rules aren’t followed closely, and coaches may send players back into the game even when they show signs of head trauma.

Schools and athletic organizations must follow strict safety standards. If equipment is missing or outdated, or if concussion protocols are ignored, they can be held liable. Brain injuries during childhood can affect long-term growth, learning, and emotional development, making proper care and accountability especially important.

4. Assaults and Violence

Intentional acts of violence, domestic abuse, bar fights, robberies, or attacks with weapons can cause severe brain injuries. These situations often involve blows to the head, objects used as weapons, or even gunshot wounds, leaving survivors with both physical damage and emotional trauma.

While criminal charges may be filed separately, victims can still pursue a civil claim for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. In some cases, state victim compensation funds may also offer support.

5. Workplace Accidents

Construction sites, warehouses, factories, and industrial job sites pose constant risks for workers. Falling objects, malfunctioning equipment, and slip hazards can lead to devastating head injuries. Protection hats help, but they cannot prevent every type of impact.

Workers’ compensation may cover part of the medical expenses and lost wages, but additional compensation can be obtained if a third party played a role. If a machine was defective or an outside contractor created a dangerous situation, your lawyer can investigate all responsible parties to pursue the maximum compensation available.

Key Takeaways

1.    Falls cause most brain injuries, hitting elderly and young children hardest.

2.    Vehicle crashes wreck your brain, even with airbags, and prove the other driver’s fault.

3.    Sports concussions need proper protocols, not rushing injured kids back too soon.

4.    Workplace brain injuries may allow suing beyond workers’ comp for defective equipment or third-party negligence.

5.    Brain injury effects like memory loss and reduced income last year or are permanent.