Menu

Head, Neck and Brain Injuries Attorneys Flint, Michigan

Injury Resource Center of Michigan

Traumatic Brain Injury Law Firms Flint MI

Injury Resource Center of Michigan

Traumatic brain injuries represent one of the most serious health concerns in the United States, contributing to approximately 30% of all injury deaths nationwide. Each year, an estimated 214,110 people are hospitalized for traumatic brain injuries, and 69,473 people die from TBI-related causes. This translates to more than 586 TBI-related hospitalizations and 190 TBI-related deaths every single day. Additionally, recent survey data indicates that approximately 3.0% of Americans—roughly 9.76 million people—report experiencing a traumatic brain injury in the past year. These sobering statistics underscore the devastating impact of accidents that cause injuries to the head, neck, and brain.

Understanding the Scope: Head, Neck and Brain Injuries

Accidents are the most common cause of death, disability, and injury for individuals living in the United States under 40 years of age. The head, brain, and neck are common sites of major injuries in accidents. About one-half of all head injuries in adults and about one-third of those in children result from motor vehicle accidents. In 75 percent of fatal vehicular accidents, the brain suffers traumatic injury. Trauma to the head can generate injuries to the skull, face, scalp, and spinal cord and may produce post-traumatic epilepsy.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Males are significantly more vulnerable to traumatic brain injuries than females. Males are nearly two times more likely to be hospitalized with a TBI (age-adjusted rate of 79.9 versus 43.7 for females) and three times more likely to die from a TBI than females (28.3 versus 8.4 per 100,000 population).

Age also plays a critical role in TBI risk and outcomes. People age 75 years and older have the highest numbers and rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and deaths, accounting for approximately 32% of TBI-related hospitalizations and 28% of TBI-related deaths. Young children (ages 0-4) and older adults (75+) experience the highest rates of emergency department visits for TBI.

Recent lifetime prevalence studies indicate that 18.2% of the U.S. general adult population has experienced a traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness at some point in their lives, demonstrating just how widespread this public health challenge has become.

Head and Skull Injuries from Motor Vehicle Accidents

Skull fractures are a common injury in motor vehicle accidents, especially in motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and pedestrian accidents. If the head strikes an object or is struck by an object, a skull fracture is likely to occur. The fracture may be accompanied by a contusion (bruising) of the brain or bleeding inside the brain.

In a recent study of motor vehicle-related trauma, skull fractures were identified as the most prevalent injury type, followed by various forms of hemorrhages. Research analyzing 154,185 primary facial fractures found that 17% (26,115 cases) were associated with road traffic accidents. Of these accidents, cars were most commonly involved (41%), followed by motorcycles (15%), pedestrians (11%), and bicyclists (10%).

Acceleration-Deceleration Injuries: A Hidden Danger

In Michigan motor vehicle accidents, acceleration-deceleration injuries are a common cause of head, neck, and brain injuries. These type of injuries occur when a vehicle, traveling at high speeds, crashes into another object and then comes to an abrupt stop. The passenger’s brain continues to travel at a high speed until it comes to a rapid stop when it collides with the inner wall of the skull.

Rebound forces within the brain can produce significant and widespread damage in various regions of the brain. Head injury in a motor vehicle accident may involve a combination injury: a concussive-compressive injury, from the head hitting the dashboard or windshield of a vehicle, as well as injuries sustained from the forces of acceleration-deceleration. Secondary effects of brain injury—swelling in the brain, respiratory problems and infection—can further exacerbate the condition.

The Leading Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury

Since 2015, the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries have been consistently documented:

  1. Falls – The leading cause overall, responsible for the greatest number of TBI-related emergency department visits (523,043) and hospitalizations (62,334). Falls are the leading cause for all age groups except young adults aged 15-44. Falls are particularly dangerous for:
    • Children aged 0-14 years
    • Adults aged 45 years and older (leading cause of hospitalization)
    • Older adults aged 75+ (leading cause of death)
  2. Motor Vehicle Crashes – Responsible for 38% of spinal cord injuries and remain a major contributor to brain injuries. Motor vehicle crashes are:
    • The leading cause of TBI-related death for persons aged 5-24 years
    • The leading cause of hospitalizations for adolescents and persons aged 15-44 years
    • Account for approximately 14% of all brain injuries in the United States
  3. Assaults – The leading cause of death for children ages 0-4 years, representing a significant public health concern
  4. Sports and Recreation – In 2012 alone, an estimated 329,290 children (age 19 or younger) were treated in U.S. emergency departments for sports and recreation-related concussions or TBIs
  5. Firearm-Related Injuries – Currently the most common cause of TBI-related deaths nationwide, representing a concerning trend in intentional self-harm, particularly for persons aged 25-64 years

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Whiplash injuries may develop when the neck is forced beyond its natural range of motion. Most often, whiplash occurs in car accidents when the impact from the crash jolts the passenger’s head in a series of whip-like motions that can tear ligaments, muscles and blood vessels and cause fractures or dislocations.

Strain, sprain or serious whiplash injuries can cause damage to nerves and to the spinal cord, producing symptoms such as neck, arm and shoulder pain, muscle spasm, headache and vertigo. While mild cases of whiplash can be treated with rest, medications and physical therapy, severe cases may require surgical intervention.

The Challenge of Diagnosis

Head or brain injuries are not always identified by an MRI or x-ray. Frequently, a family member or friend notices that something is wrong with the way someone is thinking or acting. This delayed recognition of symptoms can be particularly dangerous, as immediate medical attention is crucial for the best outcomes.

The severity of traumatic brain injuries ranges from “mild” (including most concussions) to severe. However, even “mild” TBIs should be taken seriously. The term “mild” relates only to the injury’s initial intensity at the time of impact—these injuries can still lead to serious long-term challenges in learning, memory, concentration, and problem-solving.

The Economic Burden

Direct medical costs and indirect costs of TBI, such as lost productivity, totaled an estimated $60 billion in the United States as of 2000, and that figure has only increased in subsequent years. The age-standardized mortality rate for TBI is 17.71 per 100,000 people. Between 1999 and 2020, 1,218,667 TBI-related deaths occurred in the United States, demonstrating the devastating and persistent nature of this public health crisis.

Life-Altering Consequences

An accident victim who survives a significant head, brain or neck injury often faces life-long disabilities, such as:

  • Mental disturbances and cognitive impairment
  • Speech disorders and communication difficulties
  • Attention problems and inability to concentrate
  • Hearing and vision defects
  • Neurological disorders
  • Personality changes
  • Memory loss
  • Emotional regulation problems
  • Facial injuries and scars from trauma
  • Chronic pain and headaches

Severe head, neck and brain injuries place enormous emotional and financial burdens on the victim and his or her family. The need for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, assistive devices, home modifications, and long-term care can be overwhelming. Many victims are unable to return to work or resume their previous roles in family and community life.

Why You Need Experienced Legal Representation

The Michigan accident and injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Henry M. Hanflik understand the profound impact of these burdens and can help you face a difficult future. Our attorneys have over 35 years of experience representing victims of catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and severe neck injuries.

We understand that:

  • TBI cases are complex and require extensive medical documentation
  • The full extent of injuries may not be immediately apparent
  • Long-term care costs must be carefully calculated and included in any settlement
  • Michigan’s no-fault insurance system has specific provisions for catastrophic injuries
  • Multiple parties may be liable, including drivers, employers, property owners, and manufacturers

Our firm has successfully secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. We work with leading medical experts, life care planners, vocational specialists, and economists to fully document your damages and project your future needs.

We also handle wrongful death cases when head, neck, or brain injuries prove fatal, providing compassionate representation to grieving families while fighting for the justice and compensation they deserve.

Common Accident Types Causing Head, Neck and Brain Injuries

Our firm has extensive experience handling cases involving:

Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation

If you, a friend or loved one suffers from a serious head, neck, or brain injury, time is of the essence. Critical evidence must be preserved, witnesses must be interviewed promptly, and legal deadlines must be met. The sooner we begin investigating your case, the stronger your claim will be.

Please complete the online form or call 810-720-4000 for a free case evaluation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

We can help you now!