Traumatic head injuries cause disruptions to normal brain functions and can lead to concussions, amnesia, and paralysis. Head injuries are caused by bumps, jolts, blows or penetrations to the head, so protecting yourself from these types of accidents is the best way to prevent traumatic head injuries. Despite our best efforts, however, head injuries do happen. When they do, contact a local Colorado Springs personal injury attorney at Heuser & Heuser, LLP for legal aid.
Seat Belt Safety
Seat belt safety is one of the most important ways of preventing a traumatic head injury. Always wear a seat belt whenever operating or riding in a vehicle. Also, make sure all passengers are safely buckled in and that your children have the appropriate car seat for their size.
- Rear-facing car seats provide the best protection for newborns and children under two years old. The car seat should be securely buckled into a back seat using the car seat’s harness. Continually make sure your child fits within the height and weight limitations of your particular car seat.
- Forward-facing car seats are best for children between the ages of two and five years. Again, they should be buckled into a back seat, and always double check the height and weight restrictions.
- Booster seats are optimal for children ages five to nine years. They should be placed in the back seat and positioned so that the car’s seat belt fits securely across the child’s chest and over the upper thighs.
- Children under twelve years old should remain in the back seat even after they grow into adult seat belts. 57 inches is the recommended height for being able to use the car’s seatbelts without a car or booster seat.
Wear Your Helmet
Along with wearing seat belts, wearing helmets is an effective way to prevent or minimize head injuries. Participants in the following activities should always wear the proper helmet.
- Sports like ice hockey, football, baseball, softball or boxing
- Riding a motorcycle, scooter, bicycle, skateboard or rollerblades
- Riding an all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Horseback riding
Safety at Home
Keep yourself and loved ones safe at home too. Install window guards in households with young children to prevent them from falling out of open windows. Use safety gates at the tops and bottoms of every stairwell to keep children from any unwanted tumbling. Also, make sure their playground has a shock-absorbent surface like mulch or sand to reduce the impact of their inevitable falls.
Keep our older members of the community safe at home by increasing the lighting throughout the household. Remove and tripping hazards like clutter on the floor or throw rugs. Install handrails on both sides of every stairway, as well as grab bars in every shower, tub and next to every toilet. Use nonslip mats in the showers and tubs to reduce their risk of slipping.
Contact a Colorado Springs Personal Injury Attorney
No matter how hard we try to prevent traumatic head injuries, they can and do happen. If you or someone you love has suffered a head injury and needs legal counsel, contact a Colorado Springs personal attorney at Heuser & Heuser, LLP. We’ve been serving Colorado residents for years, and we can help you get proper compensation for your suffering.
