Common causes of tumbles and ways to prevent future stumbles. According to Cathcart, avoiding doing common daily tasks is counterproductive and leads to reduced mobility and sedentary living. Just one wrong stepAccording to Cathcart, falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries and the most common cause of non-fatal, trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. One out of five falls causes serious damage such as broken bones or a traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to the CDC. If you have had a fall or are concerned about falling, you can seek a fall risk assessment from a qualified physical therapist.