Traumatic brain injury is usually caused by a blow or other traumatic injury to the head or body the degree of damage can depend on several factors including the nature of the injury and the force of impact common events causing traumatic brain injury include the following falls. A traumatic brain injury tbi also known as an intracranial injury is an injury to the brain caused by an external force tbi can be classified based on severity ranging from mild traumatic brain injury mtbi concussion to severe traumatic brain injury mechanism closed or penetrating head injury or other features eg occurring in a specific location or over a widespread area. About 150 americans die from tbi related injuries each day cdc defines a traumatic brain injury tbi as a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump blow or jolt to the head or penetrating head injury everyone is at risk for a tbi especially children and older adults. Traumatic brain injury tbi is a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a blow bump or jolt to the head the head suddenly and violently hitting an object or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue