The brain injury risks from skiing and snowboarding have been well-documented. In fact, there's a campaign underway in California to require helmets for skiers in the same way that bicycle and motorcycle helmets are now mandated. New research suggests that California brain injury lawyers should be just as concerned about sledding-related brain injuries as they are about injuries in other winter sports.

The study came from data between 1997 and 2007 from the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. During the ten-year period, the researchers found a total of 229,023 sledding injuries in children below 18 years of age. These injuries were serious enough to require a visit to the hospital. That means approximately 20,000 sledding-related injuries every year.

Brain injuries were the most frequent of all sledding-related injuries. 34% of all sledding-related injuries were head injuries. According to the researchers, children in sledding accidents were more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury if the accident occurred on the street or highway. It's not uncommon to find children sledding on the streets, and researchers highly discourage such practices because of the high risk of head injuries. The sledding area should be clear of trees and stationary objects. A child, who collides with a stationary object or person, has a higher risk of suffering brain injuries. Besides, a child sledding on the streets is at a risk of being involved in an auto or truck accident. The researchers are not only discouraging parents from allowing their children to sled on highways and roads, but they are also discouraging the use of motorized sleds drawn by ATVs, snowmobiles or trucks.

Unlike with skiers and snowboarders, there is no solid evidence to indicate that wearing helmets can prevent injuries among sledders. The researchers say they need further study before they can define a clear link between wearing helmets and preventing head injuries during sledding.