Many states require drivers to maintain comparatively slow speeds even on interstate highways. That is not the case with Oklahoma, though. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorists can legally drive at 80 miles per hour on many stretches of roadway in the Sooner State.
If you drive a newer-model car, truck or SUV, your vehicle no doubt has thousands of safety features, including seat belts and airbags. These safety features do a good job of preventing you from hitting your head on a hard surface during an accident. Sadly, though, you do not have to hit your head on anything to suffer a traumatic brain injury.
Your head’s anatomy
Your brain sits inside of your skull almost like a gelatin dessert sits in a bowl. Surrounding your brain, you have cerebrospinal fluid that basically allows your brain to float in place. While this anatomy both protects your brain and allows it to function, it can be extremely dangerous in a car accident.
Rapid deceleration
If your vehicle quickly goes from 80 to 0 mph, there is nothing to keep your brain from moving around in your skull. Indeed, your brain is not likely to stop moving until it collides with something. If your brain smashes into your skull during rapid deceleration, you may suffer a potentially life-threatening brain injury.
Because the symptoms of a TBI can take hours or even days to appear, you should go to the emergency room for a full examination after any high-speed car accident. Ultimately, if you have a TBI, you are likely to be highly thankful to have prompt access to top-level critical care.