A head-on collision is among the most violent and destructive types of car accidents, and it can leave you with catastrophic injuries. You could require months of medical treatments, and the severity of your injuries might mean you can’t go to work or take care of your household.
Your life may never be the same again, all because of the negligent actions of another driver. It doesn’t seem fair, but we can help you fight back. Our head-on collision lawyers in Detroit will hold the other motorist liable and seek maximum compensation for the suffering they’ve caused.
Our team at Christensen Law has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured accident victims in Michigan. Call today to schedule your free consultation and find out how our car accident lawyers in Detroit can help with your head-on collision case.
How Do Car Accident Claims Work in Michigan?
Michigan is a no-fault state for car accident claims. That means your own auto insurance pays most of your medical bills, lost wages, and related expenses through a policy provision called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). It doesn’t matter who caused the crash.
Vehicle damage is handled a bit differently. If you have collision coverage, your insurer pays; if not, you may recover a limited amount from the at-fault driver through what’s known as the mini–tort. Our personal injury lawyers in Detroit can let you know if this applies to your case.
Can You Sue Another Driver for a Crash in Detroit?
You can sue another driver after a car accident, but only under specific conditions. Because Michigan follows a No-Fault system, most of your medical and wage-loss benefits come from your own insurance. The system is set up to reduce the need for legal action.
However, you can sue the at-fault driver if your injuries meet a legal threshold, and the types of serious injuries that result in a head-on collision often qualify. Reach out to our head-on collision attorneys in Detroit, and our team may help you pursue additional compensation, such as:
- Medical bills and lost wages, beyond what your PIP pays
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
Who Is Liable in a Head-On Collision Accident?
Our head-on collision attorneys will investigate your accident to find out how it happened and who caused it. Liability in a head-on collision depends on which driver crossed into the other’s lane or created the dangerous situation. The other driver may have:
- Crossed the center line on a highway
- Driven the wrong way on a one-way road
- Passed improperly into oncoming traffic
- Lost control of their vehicle
This frequently happens due to speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Regardless of how your accident occurred, if the other driver’s negligence caused it, you may have a case for additional compensation beyond your PIP.
What Is Comparative Fault?
Comparative fault means that if you share responsibility for a crash, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. In Michigan, you can still recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault, but the award is reduced proportionately.
If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, though you may still receive reduced economic damages like medical expenses or lost wages.
This means you can potentially recover compensation even if you partly caused the crash. It also means insurers may try to claim you caused the accident to reduce their liability. Our head-on collision lawyers will fight to ensure they can’t unfairly shift blame.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Michigan?
Contact our Detroit head-on collision lawyers as soon as possible following your accident. For No-Fault PIP benefits, such as medical bills and wage loss, you generally must file your claim within one year of the accident or the date the expense was incurred.
For lawsuits against an at-fault driver, according to MCL 600.5805, the statute of limitations is typically three years from the date of the crash. Missing these deadlines can compromise your ability to recover compensation.
Get Help From Our Head-On Collision Attorneys in Detroit
Any car accident can turn your life upside down, but the impact from a head-on collision often results in very serious damage. Medical bills and other expenses add up fast, and when you can’t work, it can seem like there is no way out of your financial situation.
In Michigan, the Personal Injury Protection part of your auto insurance is designed to assist with some damages. When you need financial assistance beyond what your policy provides, our head-on collision attorneys in Detroit will fight to get you the compensation you need.
At Christensen Law, our legal team has more than 100 years of combined experience, standing up for those who were injured due to no fault of their own. Call today for your free consultation and tell us what happened.
