Having a traumatic injury can be devastating, especially if it's a brain injury. A recent study commissioned by the CORE Health Foundation reveals emergency room visits and hospitalization costs can be exorbitant, highlighting the need for people to have a good health insurance plan. CORE advocates for those with disabilities.

In Texas alone, traumatic brain injury caused $6.8 billion in expenses. CORE says more money is needed to help offset the high costs associated with treating TBI.

CORE co-founder and chairman of the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists Jim Misko says even though people are surviving TBI, more work needs to be done.

"As we close out the first decade of the 21st century, Texas has seen significant medical advances that can increase the rate of survival for a TBI," said Misko. "Unfortunately, the number of cases continues to increase, which puts added strain on the financial systems supporting these injuries."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1.7 million people are diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury each year. Many cases of TBI are mild, in the form of a concussion, but can be more severe or even fatal.