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The Biomechanics of Head Injuries

Three biomechanical engineers explain how to accurately assess head injuries associated with auto accidents.

By Alyssa L. DeMarco, John C. Gardiner, PhD, PE, Dennis D. Chimich | Updated on February 29, 2012
Did the claimant sustain a head injury in the incident? Would the diagnosed head injury have been prevented if the claimant was using a protective device such as a helmet, seat belt, or airbag? Biomechanical engineers frequently answer injury causation and prevention questions like these in personal injury claims.

During the course of an investigation, biomechanical engineers may compare the forces or accelerations experienced by the head in an incident to those required to cause the diagnosed injury. The incident forces/accelerations are calculated through reconstruction of the event, and the forces/accelerations required for the injury are typically determined from published experimental data. If the forces/accelerations in the incident are of the magnitude required for the injury, then the injury is likely consistent with the incident; however, if they are not, then the injury likely is not consistent with the incident.

This type of professional analysis can be useful when injuries like concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) are being claimed. The terms concussion and MTBI are typically used to describe the same injury and are often used interchangeably. Concussion is difficult for medical doctors to diagnose because objective evidence of the injury can be lacking. Recent media attention on concussion in football and other sports highlights the significant short- and long-term effects these injuries can have as well as the controversies surrounding proper diagnosis and treatment.

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