A brain injury can quietly rearrange your life. Work feels harder. Conversations feel slower. The future you had mapped out suddenly looks different. You did not ask for any of this, and you should not have to carry the financial weight of someone else’s careless choice.
The Ann Arbor brain injury lawyers at Christensen Law are here to take that weight off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
For more than thirty years, our trial team has helped Michigan families recover the compensation they need after serious head trauma, and we bring that same experience and care to every Ann Arbor case we handle. Reach out today and let us show you what real advocacy looks like.
CHRISTENSEN LAW HAS A 24 HOUR RAPID RESPONSE SERVICE
Brain Injuries Often Affect More Than People Realize at First
Traumatic brain injuries are not always immediately obvious after an accident.
Some people lose consciousness right away. Others walk away believing they are fine, only to develop symptoms days or weeks later that begin affecting memory, concentration, sleep, mood, communication, or daily functioning.
Even a so-called “mild” concussion can interfere with work, school, relationships, and normal routines in ways that are difficult to explain to other people.
Many brain injury victims struggle with:
- headaches
- cognitive fatigue
- memory problems
- difficulty concentrating
- sensitivity to light or sound
- irritability
- anxiety or depression
- changes in personality or emotional regulation
Because these symptoms are often invisible to others, traumatic brain injuries are sometimes misunderstood or minimized by insurance companies despite having a major impact on daily life.
How Traumatic Brain Injuries Happen in Ann Arbor
Traumatic brain injuries can happen in many different situations throughout Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, especially when sudden force or impact affects the head or neck.
Our Ann Arbor brain injury lawyers frequently handle cases involving:
- car accidents on I-94 and US-23
- pedestrian and bicycle collisions near campus
- truck accidents
- falls on unsafe property conditions
- construction accidents
- motorcycle crashes
- sports and recreational injuries
- negligent security incidents
Brain injuries may result from direct head trauma, violent shaking, loss of oxygen, or secondary injuries caused by falls or collisions.
What Daily Life Can Look Like After a Brain Injury
For many people, the hardest part of a traumatic brain injury is not the emergency room visit itself. It is what happens afterward.
Tasks that once felt automatic — concentrating at work, following conversations, remembering appointments, driving, managing emotions, or handling stress — may suddenly become difficult or exhausting.
Some people are unable to return to the same career they had before the injury. Others struggle with chronic headaches, sleep problems, mood changes, or cognitive fatigue that affects everyday routines and relationships.
Families are often affected as well. Spouses, parents, and children may suddenly take on caregiving responsibilities while trying to adjust to emotional, behavioral, or personality changes caused by the injury.
Because traumatic brain injuries can affect nearly every part of a person’s life, these claims often require extensive medical documentation, neurological evaluation, rehabilitation planning, and long-term financial analysis.
When we build your case, we look beyond the immediate medical bills. We work to account for everything you have lost and everything you will need going forward, so your settlement or verdict reflects the true cost of your injury.
Why Brain Injury Claims Are Often Disputed by Insurance Companies
Insurance companies frequently challenge traumatic brain injury claims because many symptoms are not immediately visible on scans or obvious to other people.
Adjusters may argue that:
- symptoms are exaggerated
- the injury is “mild”
- treatment is unnecessary
- cognitive issues existed before the accident
- the victim should already be recovered
At the same time, brain injuries may continue affecting memory, concentration, emotional regulation, work performance, and daily functioning long after the accident itself.
Because these cases often depend heavily on neurological testing, medical records, and expert evaluation, early documentation and consistent medical treatment can become extremely important.
Michigan Laws That May Affect Your Brain Injury Claim
Michigan has unique laws that affect how brain injury claims are handled, especially when the injury happened in a motor vehicle accident. Understanding these rules can be tricky, which is why having a knowledgeable Ann Arbor brain injury attorney on your side is so important.
A few key points to know:
- Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system. Under Michigan’s no-fault law, people injured in motor vehicle accidents can receive personal injury protection (PIP) benefits regardless of who caused the crash. These benefits can cover medical expenses, wage loss, and other costs.
- The serious impairment threshold. To recover pain and suffering damages from an at-fault driver, you generally must show that your injury meets the legal definition of a “serious impairment of body function.” A traumatic brain injury often meets this threshold, but the details matter.
- Statute of limitations. In most Michigan personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. PIP claims have shorter deadlines, so acting quickly is important.
- Comparative fault. Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule, which can reduce or bar recovery if you are found partly responsible for the accident.
These rules can feel confusing, but you do not have to figure them out by yourself. Our Ann Arbor brain injury lawyers will explain how each one applies to your situation in plain English.
Compensation Available in a Brain Injury Case
Every case is different, but the goal is always the same: to recover the full compensation you need to move forward. In a brain injury claim, that may include money for:
- Past and future medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Long-term care, including in-home assistance or skilled nursing care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate disabilities
- Loss of consortium for spouses and family members
- In tragic cases involving a fatal injury, wrongful death damages for surviving family members
Insurance companies often try to settle brain injury claims quickly and for less than they are worth. We push back hard, presenting medical evidence, expert testimony, and a clear picture of how your life has been affected. When the other side will not offer fair value, we are ready to take your case to trial.
Our Results for Brain Injury and Catastrophic Injury Clients
When you are recovering from a serious head injury, you need a law firm with a proven track record. Our Ann Arbor brain injury attorneys have helped clients across Michigan secure life-changing results in catastrophic injury cases, including:
- $17,800,000 for a motor vehicle accident personal injury case
- $9,500,000 for a motorcycle accident
- $9,500,000 in a wrongful death case
- $4,550,000 in a personal injury case
- $4,197,000 in a car accident case
These results reflect years of preparation, deep investigation, and a willingness to take cases all the way to a jury when needed. While past results do not predict future outcomes, they show our commitment to fighting for full and fair compensation. Our TBI attorneys in Ann Arbor would be honored to put that same commitment to work for you.
How We Handle Your Brain Injury Case
From the moment you reach out, we focus on two things: your recovery and your case. Here is what working with our Ann Arbor brain injury team typically looks like:
- Free consultation. We sit down with you (in person, by phone, or by video) to learn about what happened and answer your questions.
- Investigation. We gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and any available video or scene evidence.
- Medical coordination. We work with your treating doctors and bring in respected specialists who can document the full impact of your injury.
- Insurance handling. We deal directly with insurance adjusters so you can focus on healing.
- Negotiation. We pursue a full settlement that reflects every aspect of your losses.
- Trial preparation. If the insurance company refuses to be fair, we prepare your case for court and present it to a jury.
You will never feel left in the dark. We make ourselves available, return calls promptly, and give you straight answers throughout the process.
Your Questions Answered by an Ann Arbor Brain Injury Lawyer
Below are some of the most common questions we hear from clients and families dealing with traumatic brain injuries. If your question is not answered here, please reach out and we will be glad to help.
In most cases, Michigan law gives you three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your injury happened in a motor vehicle accident and you are seeking PIP benefits, the deadlines are shorter. Talking with an attorney as soon as possible helps protect your rights.
Possibly. Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule, which can reduce your recovery based on your percentage of responsibility. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you may be barred from recovering certain damages. An attorney can review the facts and explain how this rule applies to you.
This is more common than people think. Symptoms of a TBI can take hours, days, or even weeks to fully develop. Keep all medical records, follow your doctor’s advice, and let your attorney know about every symptom, no matter how minor it seems. Delayed symptoms are still real injuries and can absolutely be part of a claim.
Not always. Many cases settle out of court through negotiation with the insurance company. However, if a fair settlement is not possible, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. Our trial experience often encourages insurance companies to make stronger offers.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is always free, so you can get answers without any financial risk.
A family member or legal representative can often act on the injured person’s behalf. We can help you understand what steps may be needed, including the possible appointment of a guardian or conservator, so your loved one’s case can move forward.
Every case is different. Some settle in a matter of months, while more complex cases involving severe injuries can take a year or more. We work efficiently while making sure no detail is overlooked, so your case is built for the strongest possible result.
Talk to Our Ann Arbor Brain Injury Lawyers Today
A traumatic brain injury can shake your world, but you do not have to face the road ahead by yourself. At Christensen Law, our Ann Arbor brain injury attorneys are ready to listen, protect your rights, and fight for the future you deserve. We have spent more than thirty years standing up for injured people in Michigan, and we are ready to stand up for you and your family.
Call our Ann Arbor office today at 734-519-7576 for a free, confidential consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case, and there is no pressure. Just honest answers and a clear plan for what comes next.
