Brain Injury

Kids and Sports Can Be a Dangerous Mix

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on September 27, 2018

Sports are a part of American life, and can be especially important for youngsters. Organized sports and athletics can instill a sense of team play, responsibility, self-confidence, fitness, and good communication. Every day, parents enroll their kids in soccer, baseball, football, ballet, and other sports, and hope that even if they don’t become the next Kobe or Ronaldo, they will at least learn some valuable life lessons and remain healthy and active. Read the rest »

The Different Types of Catastrophic Brain Injuries

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on July 5, 2017

Any time there is an injury to the head, it should be taken very seriously. The brain is a delicate organ, and once damaged it can be difficult to repair. A catastrophic brain injury is any type of severe injury to the brain. Typically these are caused by a crushing blow to the head or a penetrating wound. They are often life-threatening. Read the rest »

Concussions and Fall Sports: Know the Signs

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on October 1, 2015

Football, volleyball, cheer leading, soccer: fall sports and activities give children, teens, and adults the chance to have fun and stay active. But, they also increase the risk of a head injury. When you know the signs of a concussion, you can help reduce long-term symptoms, speed up the healing process, and prevent a second head injury from making matters worse. Read the rest »

Living With a Brain Injury

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on February 9, 2015

Sudden and violent car accidents can result in devastating head and brain injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a contributing factor in about 30 percent of all injury deaths. Victims of Seattle car accidents who survive with a brain trauma can experience lasting disabilities and impairments. While some victims of mild TBI recover within days or weeks, other victims of serious brain injuries never fully recuperate.

Brain injury symptoms can include impaired memory, movement, thinking, sensation, and even functioning. No two brain injuries are exactly the same. Victims may struggle to move, think, and even feel like they did before the accident. These types of symptoms can have a significant impact not only on the life of the victim, but also on the lives of the victim’s family. Read the rest »

T-Bone Crash on I-5 Freeway Causes Injuries

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on June 7, 2013

Three people were injured in a Washington car accident involving a T-bone collision. According to a news report in The Columbian, the car crash occurred on the Interstate 5 southbound near Exit 16 in La Center. Officials say a 55-year-old woman was attempting to merge in a 1989 Dodge Dynasty when she almost collided with a semi-trailer. She veered to avoid hitting the big rig and broadsided a 2005 Buick LeSabre. The driver of the Dodge was listed in critical condition with a head injury. The 66-year-old driver of the LeSabre sustained minor injuries and her 68-year-old passenger was injured but not transported to a hospital. The investigation is ongoing, and charges may be pending.

Merging onto a Washington highway can be a stressful and dangerous endeavor. In general, slower moving traffic attempting to merge onto the highway must yield the right-of-way to faster, oncoming traffic. This does not, however, excuse motorists on the highway from exercising care. Highway drivers must make an effort to allow vehicles to safely enter traffic. When such a crash occurs, investigators look into whether the merging driver was solely responsible for the crash or if the negligence of the other driver caused or contributed to the crash. Read the rest »

Washington Motorcyclists Want to Repeal Helmet Law

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on February 14, 2013

Motorcyclists in Washington are once again making a push for lawmakers to repeal the state’s helmet mandate. The Senate Transportation Committee is considering a bill that would repeal the helmet law for riders 18 or older, according to The Bellingham Herald. Proponents of the bill believe that it is not the responsibility of the government to protect riders from themselves.

State laws requiring helmet use have come under fire in recent years. In Michigan, the legislature repealed its 35-year-old helmet law. Members of the motorcycle advocacy group A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments (ABATE) have been trying to get Washington’s helmet laws repealed for more than 20 years. They believe that helmets actually cause accidents by giving riders a false sense of security. Only 19 states and Washington, D.C., still have a mandatory helmet law. Read the rest »

The Risks of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Car Accidents

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on January 24, 2013

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur whenever someone suffers a sudden and violent bump, jolt, or blow to the head. Brain injuries are a tragically common result of Washington car accidents. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicles are responsible for 17.3 percent of all TBIs in the United States. Car accidents are also the leading cause of TBI-related fatalities.

Traumatic brain injuries often result from high-speed collisions. There are many cases where an occupant may hit his or her head against the side window, dashboard, steering wheel, or another object in the car. Brain injuries are also a common result of pedestrian accidents because there is nothing to protect a pedestrian’s head from striking the vehicle or the roadway. Read the rest »

Eye Testing Device Could Help Soldiers, Doctors Diagnose Traumatic Brain Injury

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on March 8, 2012

A simple computerized device developed by the U.S. Army could help field medics, emergency medical technicians, doctors, and even sports coaches check for signs of traumatic brain injuries like concussions in order to speed treatment, according to a recent article posted on the Army website.

The device, known as Eye-Tracking Rapid Attention Computation or EYE-TRAC, consists of a piece with a screen, worn over the eyes, and a hand-held device that gives information readouts. The person who may have a traumatic brain injury wears the headpiece and tries to follow a moving target on the screen. The device tracks the person’s eye movements and sends information to the hand-held device, based on calculations of how well the person can track the moving target on the screen and what eye movements are made during the attempt.

Eye movements are often impaired when a concussion or other brain injury occurs, but human vision can’t always detect them merely by watching the patient. The EYE-TRAC device is more sensitive, allowing it to pick up on impairments that might signal a traumatic brain injury. Read the rest »