{"id":40789,"date":"2026-05-19T13:46:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T17:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/?p=40789"},"modified":"2026-07-19T14:05:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T18:05:50","slug":"tbi-crash-beginning-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/tbi-crash-beginning-fight\/","title":{"rendered":"TBI: When the Crash Is Only the Beginning of the Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a5f0ae1ef7b0\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a5f0ae1ef7b0\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/tbi-crash-beginning-fight\/#TBI_When_the_Crash_Is_Only_the_Beginning_of_the_Fight\" >TBI: When the Crash Is Only the Beginning of the Fight<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/tbi-crash-beginning-fight\/#What_a_TBI_Really_Does\" >What a TBI Really Does<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/tbi-crash-beginning-fight\/#Your_Helmet_Your_Best_Protection%E2%80%94If_You_Take_Care_of_It\" >Your Helmet: Your Best Protection\u2014If You Take Care of It<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/tbi-crash-beginning-fight\/#The_Real_Fight_Begins_After_the_Accident\" >The Real Fight Begins After the Accident<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/tbi-crash-beginning-fight\/#Our_Responsibility\" >Our Responsibility<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/tbi-crash-beginning-fight\/#Cyn\" >Cyn<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/tbi-crash-beginning-fight\/#Master_Your_Motorcycle_Discover_the_FMQs_4-Hour_Training_Course\" >Master Your Motorcycle: Discover the FMQ\u2019s 4-Hour Training Course<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/tbi-crash-beginning-fight\/#10_tips_for_safe_Spring_driving\" >10 tips for safe Spring driving<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/tbi-crash-beginning-fight\/#When_social_media_transforms_a_passion_into_a_performance_under_pressure\" >When social media transforms a passion into a performance under pressure<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TBI_When_the_Crash_Is_Only_the_Beginning_of_the_Fight\"><\/span>TBI: When the Crash Is Only the Beginning of the Fight<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><em>This article was produced in collaboration with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.connexiontccqc.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Connexion TCC.QC<\/a>, the Quebec Federation of Brain Injury Associations.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">We talk a lot about helmets. We remind people to wear them, fit them properly, and replace them after an impact. But we rarely talk about what happens afterward. What happens when the helmet did its job\u2014or when it simply wasn&#8217;t enough.<\/p>\n<p>A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a brain injury caused by a blow or impact to the head. In the world of powersports, it&#8217;s a reality we encounter more often than we realize. A motorcycle crash, a snowmobile collision, an ATV rollover\u2014the accident happens in a split second. What comes next can last for years.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;40473&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_a_TBI_Really_Does\"><\/span>What a TBI Really Does<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">A TBI doesn&#8217;t always look the way people imagine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">There&#8217;s a <strong>mild TBI<\/strong>, <strong>often called a concussion<\/strong>, whose symptoms\u2014fatigue, headaches, light sensitivity, and memory problems\u2014are generally expected to improve within two to four weeks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Then there&#8217;s a <strong>moderate TBI<\/strong>, which may involve a short period of unconsciousness and longer-lasting, sometimes permanent, impairments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">And finally, a <strong>severe TBI<\/strong>, whose consequences can permanently change a person&#8217;s life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>What makes a TBI especially difficult is that it&#8217;s often invisible. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Anxiety, depression, irritability, memory loss, mental fatigue, balance issues, and aphasia aren&#8217;t injuries you can see. Yet they affect every aspect of a person&#8217;s life: relationships, family, social life, and career.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Someone may appear perfectly fine while fighting an exhausting battle every single day. And because those struggles aren&#8217;t visible, they&#8217;re often misunderstood. People living with a TBI frequently face doubt, judgment, or even dismissal of what they&#8217;re going through.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly <strong>45% of the cases supported by Connexion TCC.QC member associations are the result of road traffic accidents.<\/strong> That&#8217;s approximately <strong>1,040 people every year in Quebec alone.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;40467&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;40465&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_Helmet_Your_Best_Protection%E2%80%94If_You_Take_Care_of_It\"><\/span>Your Helmet: Your Best Protection\u2014If You Take Care of It<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Your helmet is your first line of defense against a traumatic brain injury. But only if it&#8217;s in good condition.<\/p>\n<p><em>Choosing the Right Helmet<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Not all helmets offer the same level of protection.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Fiberglass or composite helmets generally provide better protection than polycarbonate models. Certification is non-negotiable. Be cautious of extremely cheap helmets displaying a DOT sticker without legitimate certification. A low price may be appealing, but it doesn&#8217;t always come with reliable protection.<\/p>\n<p>Fit matters just as much as the material. A helmet that shifts while you&#8217;re riding can&#8217;t protect you properly. When trying one on, wear it for at least 10 minutes. Any pressure point you feel in the store will become much worse on a long ride, and a poorly fitted helmet can actually increase the severity of an impact instead of reducing it.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;40463&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<em>How Long Does a Helmet Last?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Even if it&#8217;s never been involved in a crash, a helmet has an average lifespan of about <strong>five years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">The internal foam naturally deteriorates over time due to heat, sweat, and exposure to chemicals. As it ages, its ability to absorb impact gradually decreases.<\/p>\n<p><em>If You Drop It, Replace It<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">This is something many riders don&#8217;t know.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">If you drop your helmet from a significant height\u2014even from your hands onto the ground\u2014it should be replaced. Damage to the impact-absorbing liner isn&#8217;t always visible, but the helmet&#8217;s protective structure may already be compromised.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">A helmet that has sustained an impact, even a seemingly minor one, should no longer be used.<\/p>\n<p><em>Proper Storage Matters Too<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">During the off-season, don&#8217;t store your helmet in places that get excessively hot\u2014such as near a wood stove or inside a vehicle baking in the sun\u2014or in extremely cold environments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Extreme temperature changes accelerate the deterioration of helmet materials. The ideal storage spot is dry, climate-controlled, and out of direct sunlight.<\/p>\n<p>Also, avoid repeatedly placing it on hard surfaces without protection. Small impacts can add up over time.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Real_Fight_Begins_After_the_Accident\"><\/span>The Real Fight Begins After the Accident<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><strong>From October 15 to 21, 2026, Quebec will mark the 23rd Quebec Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Week, under the theme:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><strong>&#8220;TBI: A Real Fight Every Day.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">It&#8217;s a message that speaks directly to the powersports community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Because we understand what it means to fight. We battle the elements, overcome fear, and constantly push our limits.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;40469&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">But the fight of someone relearning how to communicate, struggling to manage their emotions, or working every day to keep their memory from slipping away is a different kind of challenge altogether.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">It&#8217;s a daily battle that&#8217;s often invisible\u2014and one fought with a level of courage that never makes it onto a podium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Connexion TCC.QC brings together <strong>13 regional brain injury associations<\/strong> supporting more than <strong>5,000 people living with a traumatic brain injury across Quebec<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>From recreational activities and peer support groups to psychosocial services and vocational reintegration, these organizations are present in <strong>16 regions<\/strong> to ensure no one has to face recovery alone.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=&#8221;40471&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Our_Responsibility\"><\/span>Our Responsibility<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">As members of the powersports community, we all have a role to play.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Not only by wearing our helmets\u2014because that&#8217;s non-negotiable\u2014but also by talking about what happens when things go wrong.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">By making it normal to ask for help.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">By recognizing that serious crashes don&#8217;t just happen to someone else.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">If you or someone you know has experienced a traumatic brain injury, you can find your regional association at <strong>connexiontccqc.ca<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Because the hardest battles are often the ones fought in silence.<\/p>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cyn\"><\/span><em>Cyn<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_cta h2=&#8221;These articles could also be of interest&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"penci-entry-title entry-title grid-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Master_Your_Motorcycle_Discover_the_FMQs_4-Hour_Training_Course\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/motorcycles-en\/fmq-4-hour-training-course\/\">Master Your Motorcycle: Discover the FMQ\u2019s 4-Hour Training Course<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"penci-entry-title entry-title grid-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_tips_for_safe_Spring_driving\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/10-tips-safe-driving\/\">10 tips for safe Spring driving<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"penci-entry-title entry-title grid-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_social_media_transforms_a_passion_into_a_performance_under_pressure\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/\">When social media transforms a passion into a performance under pressure<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] TBI: When the Crash Is Only the Beginning of&hellip;","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":40790,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1774,1764,1771,1775],"tags":[4732,4730,4728,4729,4731,2068,2606,4727],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40789"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40789"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40789\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}