Experienced Head & Brain Injury Lawyers in Michigan

Traumatic brain injury is a major concern and a serious condition that people might have to deal with after an accident. Healing and recovering from a brain injury is difficult enough without having to worry about getting compensation and a fair settlement for your accident.

Matz Injury Law is here to help. Our experienced brain injury lawyers can help you get fair treatment after your accident. Contact us or call 866-226-6833 for help today.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury, also known as a TBI, is a type of brain injury that occurs after an accident. If the brain tissue has damage after an accident, it qualifies as a TBI.

Any time a blow, bump, or jolt to the head occurs, it can cause an injury. These types of injuries often happen after a car or slip-and-fall accident. A TBI is a severe brain injury that can have lifelong consequences. Many times, TBI victims can get legal compensation for their injuries.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 214,110 people ended up in the hospital due to TBIs in 2020, and in 2021, 69,473 people died as a result of these injuries. Older individuals and children are at the highest risk for TBI.

There are three tiers of traumatic brain injury: mild, moderate, and severe. No matter how mild it may seem, you should always seek medical attention. Even a concussion can cause long-term damage.

Getting prompt medical and legal care after suffering car accident injuries that may involve a head injury is vital to your recovery.

Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

One of the reasons why it can be challenging for people to get the proper medical attention after a brain injury is that they don’t recognize the symptoms. Because many TBIs do not leave you with a cut or wound that you can see, you may not realize how severe your damage is. The most impactful signs and symptoms may not show up for weeks and months, leaving victims unaware that their problems stem from the accident.

Some common symptoms and signs that you or a loved one may be suffering from a TBI include:

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Headache (mild or severe headaches)
• Confusion
• Change in sleep pattern
• Mood or behavioral changes
• Memory or concentration problems
• Ringing in the ears
• Unusual taste in the mouth
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Visual disturbances

Each indicates a mild issue with brain tissue. However, people are often quick to dismiss them as minor.

More severe brain injuries may cause:

• Slurred speech
• Inability to wake up
• Seizures
• Repeated vomiting
• Headache that keeps getting worse
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Increased confusion
• Agitation
• Weakness in the extremities
• Loss of consciousness

If you experience any of these symptoms, you need medical help immediately. These can indicate a medical emergency. You should not overlook or ignore these symptoms.

Importance of Immediate Legal Consultation

The aftermath of a personal injury accident that led to a TBI can be filled with pain, uncertainty, and stress. While a lot is going on after an injury, the urgency of seeking legal consultation immediately after a brain injury cannot be understated.

The actions taken after a TBI are critical because you must preserve evidence. TBI cases are not easy to prove as they are considered “hidden” injuries. These cases require a lawyer with experience.

Additionally, you want to initiate your case sooner rather than later because your attorney will want to file claims on time so that no important deadlines set by the state of Michigan are inadvertently missed. This way, you do not lose your right to pursue compensation.

You do not need to worry about payments in this personal injury case. Most TBI attorneys provide free consultations and work on contingency. In other words, if you do not receive compensation for damages, neither do they.

How to File a Brain Injury Lawsuit

Brain injury lawsuits tend to be complex because the injuries are not always straightforward to prove. Here is a step-by-step outline of how to file a brain injury lawsuit.

Step 1: Document Everything

Documentation is vital in brain injury cases. Keep detailed records of every doctor appointment, medication, diagnostic test result, therapy, and other treatment plan. Include dates, times, dosages, and any other relevant details.

It is also helpful to document your injuries in a journal. Write down symptoms (e.g., headaches, memory loss, mood swings, and other difficulties), their severity, and their impact on your day-to-day life.

Other details you should include are missed days of work, problems with grades in school, conflicts in relationships (behavioral or emotional outbursts you may have), and any other ways the injury affects the quality of your life.

Step 2: Hire an Experienced Head & Brain Injury Attorney

Call an experienced Michigan head and brain injury attorney as soon as possible for a free consultation. Head and brain injuries require special handling because they are not like other injury cases where the damage is easy to prove (e.g. broken bones or lacerations).

The right attorney should be knowledgeable about TBI’s legal and medical aspects. Because the effects of the injury will vary from person to person, a highly personalized approach from someone who has experience and understands the complexities associated with brain injuries is needed to handle a case.

Step 3: Prove Negligence and Liability

To successfully navigate a TBI lawsuit in Michigan, you must prove the at-fault party’s negligence. This means establishing a duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Your personal injury attorney will gather evidence, including medical records, your documentation, witness statements, expert testimony, police reports, and other pertinent information.

Step 4: Calculate the Value of Your Claim

The value of a traumatic brain injury claim is not easy to assess. Your attorney will examine your current economic damages, non-economic damages like TBI affects your life, and factor in your prognosis.

Depending on the victim’s age (e.g. a child is injured), their health, and other factors, the long-term effects of a TBI may not be known for months, if not longer. Your lawyer will factor this in when calculating a fair value for your claim.

Step 5: Negotiate a Settlement

Most TBI lawsuits do not go to court because your attorney will likely be able to reach a fair settlement through negotiation. Your lawyer will present evidence, demonstrate your damages, and aggressively negotiate for the compensation you deserve. The insurance company may push back and try to undermine your claim. An experienced Michigan TBI attorney will know how to fight back.

Step 6: Consider Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Settlements

Historically, mild traumatic brain injuries (which include concussions) have been dismissed as being less damaging in the long term. We have since learned this is not the case, but insurance companies will still try to lowball compensation offers for mild TBIs.

The reality is even concussions can have lasting effects and cause adverse symptoms, such as memory issues, problems with concentration, and a decrease in executive functioning, to name a few. Your Michigan TBI attorney will know how to advocate in your best interests.

Step 7: Prepare for Trial if Necessary

Sometimes, an insurance company will not agree to a fair compensation settlement. In this scenario, your attorney will prepare your case for trial. This can take time and delay receipt of compensation, but these cases often result in higher compensation amounts.

Get a Michigan Head & Brain Injury Attorney If You Have a Headache After A Car Accident

Traumatic brain injuries can have long-term, life-altering effects, and these conditions are often the fault of another party. While you can work with insurance companies to get a fair settlement, sadly, they are not working on your behalf. Especially in the case of motor vehicle accidents, insurance companies usually want to pay as little as possible. That is why you need to reach out to a personal injury lawyer who has experience with helping brain injury victims for a case evaluation.

An experienced head and brain injury lawyer will fight for you and collaborate with medical professionals to build a strong case, explaining all aspects of your injury so they are thoroughly understood and represented. You have nothing to lose since a case evaluation is free, but you have much to gain.

When a skilled brain injury lawyer fights for you, you have an improved chance of getting a high settlement amount. Your Michigan brain injury attorney knows the ins and outs of the filing and settlement processes, and this increases your likelihood of success while decreasing the chances that you will get something denied on a technicality.

Why Choose Matz Injury Law?

Matz Injury Law is a Michigan personal injury law firm with extensive experience handling traumatic brain injury and other types of injury cases. Clients entrust us with their cases because we have a strong track record, earning more than $300 million for our clients. This includes a $1 million settlement for a 60-year-old woman with a mild closed head injury in Oakland County.

Our compassionate attorneys understand the pain and agony of injury victims and how severe injuries affect them. To help ease their burdens, our lawyers travel to meet with clients. Our team has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles throughout Michigan.

Matz Injury Law has been providing support to brain injury victims and their families for over 30 years. We help you get the medical care and services you deserve without worrying about insurance negotiations. We work tirelessly to help you be fully compensated for all of the trauma you’ve experienced.

If you select us to provide legal representation, you can expect honesty, transparency, and strong communication. You’ll never feel left in the dark. If you have a question, simply call us! You will never be passed to an assistant, and we will get to know each other well.

Testimonials

“I had an amazing experience working with Steve and his practice. Whenever I needed any help, he was right there to help. He even came to my house to discuss my case with me when I was bedridden! His dedication, professionalism, truly made a difference. One of the best parts is he takes 22% not 33%!! I would highly recommend Matz Injury Law to anyone in need of legal assistance. Thanks again to Steve and his practice you truly made this process simple and stress free for me!”- Grant B.

“Jared Matz of Matz Injury Law is an excellent attorney. He is very knowledgeable and I would highly recommend him to anyone needing assistance in matters of law. He goes above and beyond for his clients and has wonderful caring attitude.”- Carl R.

“My family is grateful for Steve Matz’s professional handling of our case. Steve was very thorough, candid, responsive, and strategic in his approach throughout our legal proceedings. If ever in a situation again like my family has experienced over the past year, we would immediately retain Matz Injury Law to represent our interests. Thank you Steve.”- John P.

Settlements

Matz Injury Law has a strong track record for winning settlements for their clients who suffer from traumatic brain injuries.

• $800,000 Settlement in Ottawa County
• $480,000 Settlement in Eaton County
• $310,000 Settlement in an Ionia School Bus Crash
• $350,000 Settlement in Emmet County

Related Resources

• Personal Injury Guide to Pain and Suffering in Michigan: Michigan personal injury law allows victims to pursue damages for pain and suffering if they file a claim within three years and can meet the bodily injury threshold. Pain and suffering awards are reduced based on a fault percentage.
• What To Do After an Auto Accident Neck Injury: Neck injuries caused by car crashes can be severe. If you have neck pain, you must see a healthcare provider immediately and speak to an experienced neck injury attorney. Document all symptoms.
• Spine Injury From Car Accident: Guide to Injury Compensation: Spinal cord injuries are serious. Car accident victims with any neck or back injury should seek immediate medical attention to receive a diagnosis. This is an injury that should not be ignored.
• Average Soft Tissue Injury Car Accident Settlement: Soft tissue injuries, such as strains, sprains, and whiplash, are common accident-related injuries. Some heal with no residual effects, but others can cause chronic pain and limited mobility. Motor vehicle accident victims in Michigan can pursue compensation for soft tissue injuries.

Contact Matz Injury Law for a Free Consultation for Your Brain Injury Case

Suffering injury from a car accident is a traumatic event. If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury after being in a car accident, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. Matz Injury Law has the experience, knowledge, and tenacity you need. Contact us today or call 866-226-6833 for a free consultation to discuss your brain injury case with our skilled car accident lawyers.