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Can Traumatic Brain Injury Lead to Aggressive Driving?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
aggressive driverA recent study revealed that those who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) have a greater likelihood of engaging in high levels of aggressive driving behaviors, such as yelling and making threats to other drivers. Previous studies have identified a link between mental illness or substance abuse and the likelihood of aggressive driving. This was the first study to research the link between TBI and aggressive driving accidents. The study defined TBI as trauma to the head that causes the person to lose consciousness or to be hospitalized overnight. Some of the top causes of TBI are car accidents, falls, and blunt trauma caused by being hit over the head, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Researchers with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health examined the driving histories of 4,000 drivers in Ontario ages 18 to 97. They also conducted a massive survey, of which almost 17 percent responded as having a history of TBI. The study determined that those with a history of TBI were more likely to have engaged in aggressive driving in the previous year. Their risk for being in an auto accident with injuries was also significantly increased. Although a link was identified, researchers cannot state whether the relationship is causal at this time. The results do, however, suggest that the health of your brain plays a significant role in your ability for cognitive processing, which ultimately affects a persons driving abilities. Through further research, these types of studies will be able to help us better understand and improve driving safety. Aggressive driving places a driver and everyone around them in greater danger of being involved in an auto accident. If you are injured, our experienced Sacramento auto accident lawyers can help you get the justice you deserve.

Call (916) 777-7777 to speak with a Sacramento personal injury attorney from our law firm today.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.