Possible Damages in a Detroit Personal Injury Case
If you suffered an injury during an accident that was not your fault, you should not have to pay for the resulting financial damages. Our attorneys will fight to ensure you and your loved ones are not left struggling to shoulder expensive medical costs and other losses. We will spare no resources or effort when it comes to securing awards, including taking legal action when necessary.
In general, personal injury compensation for an accident in Michigan may include:
- Past and future medical costs, including hospital stays, doctor’s office visits, surgeries, physical or occupational therapy, prescription medications, and mobility and medical equipment
- Long-term care expenses, if your injuries make you partially or fully disabled, including long-term nursing services and life care costs
- Lost wages for the time you missed from work, including benefits, bonuses, tips, and other earnings
- Lost earning potential if your injuries prevent you from earning the same level of income you earned before your injury
- Lost enjoyment or diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering including physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress
- Wrongful death losses, including medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, the deceased’s conscious pain and suffering, and loss of the deceased’s support, services, companionship, care, and consortium
We Make Our Services Affordable and Accessible
We know your accident has already turned your life upside down. The last thing we want is for the cost of representation to add to your stress or stand in the way of justice. Therefore, our legal team handles all personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees. Instead, we take a percentage from your case winnings. You owe us nothing unless and until we obtain compensation for you.
When you schedule a free consultation with one of our Detroit personal injury attorneys, you can rest assured that we’re listening to your concerns and figuring out the best way we can help you. We know that this is a challenging time, but know that we’re ready to tell your story and get you the compensation you need. There is no risk or obligation, so reach out to us as soon as possible.
We Have Achieved Multi-Million Dollar Case Results for Detroit Residents
Every injury case is different, and the value of your settlement or verdict will depend on factors unique to you, your accident, and your injuries. Our goal is to identify and secure every cent owed to you for your injuries and losses. We have achieved significant results for injured parties just like you, including the following:
- $9.5 million for a motorcycle crash
- $3.2 million for a head-on collision
- $3.2 million for a motorcycle crash
- $2 million for a bicycle accident
- $1.25 million for a motorcycle wreck
- $1.2 million for a pedestrian accident
- $4.6 million for a car accident
Our team is proud of the work we’ve done to help families fight for the compensation they need. We believe that when we listen to our clients and work to protect their future, we’re able to help them win and get back to their lives.
Time Limit for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Michigan
If you have a personal injury claim in Detroit, you have limited time to file a lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805, you must file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit within three years from your injury or your loved one’s death.
However, certain circumstances may extend, or toll, the deadline. For instance, the time limit can be extended if the injured party is a minor. You may have less time if your claim is against a government entity. In general, if you don’t file your lawsuit before time expires, the court can permanently dismiss your lawsuit. An expired statute can also reduce your insurance bargaining power and hurt your chances of a successful settlement.
Additional Deadlines
In addition to the statute of limitations, if you have a personal injury claim against the government you must provide the government with notice of your claim before you can even file a lawsuit. This notice period is typically much shorter than the statute of limitations. The notice period may be as short as several weeks to several months, depending on the government department that harmed you. A personal injury lawyer in Detroit can help you determine if the government was at fault for your injuries and, if so, what the appropriate notice period is.
If your personal injury claim is against a private party, you are not required to give the party notice of your claim before filing a lawsuit. However, it is always best to consult with an attorney before taking any legal action. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate your claim and help you understand the best way to proceed. The insurance company will likely have their own lawyers working on the case and it is important that you level the playing field by having an experienced attorney of your own. If you wait too long to hire a personal injury attorney, you may waive your right to recovery altogether.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident, it is important to speak to our personal injury lawyers as soon as possible to ensure your claim gets filed within the applicable time limits. Christensen Law has experience handling all types of personal injury claims, including car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and medical malpractice. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What to Do After an Accident to Protect Your Rights
If you have been the victim of an accident in Detroit, be sure to take these steps after your accident. Doing so can help us protect your rights when seeking compensation for your injuries and damages:
- Report your accident and injuries. Report your accident to the police if you’ve suffered a motor vehicle accident. Notify a property or store owner if your injuries occurred on their property.
- Get contact and insurance information. With that information, you and our injury attorneys will know who to contact when we seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Document the accident scene and your visible injuries. If possible, take photographs or videos of the accident scene and any visible injuries you suffered. If you could not do this at the time of your accident, our team can take care of it for you.
- Follow up with your doctor or another medical provider. The shock of an accident may prevent you from realizing the extent of your injuries. A doctor or other health care provider can identify those injuries during an examination. Promptly identifying all of your injuries will allow you to build a stronger claim for compensation and create a medical record.
- Speak to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. A Detroit personal injury lawyer at Christensen Law can advise you of your legal rights and options. We can begin the process of pursuing a claim for compensation. Do not delay! If you do, you may end up losing out on important rights or full compensation.
Our personal injury lawyers will protect your rights after an accident. We will guide you through the process and be by your side every step of the way.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries in a Personal Injury Claim
Common kinds of catastrophic injuries that our Detroit personal injury lawyers seek compensation for include:
Personal injury cases involving catastrophic injuries require experienced and knowledgeable legal representation. We understand the challenges you and your family face, and we will fight for the full and fair recovery you deserve.
Detroit Personal Injury FAQs
If you have a personal injury case in Detroit, you may have questions. Our team can help and address your concerns. Following are answers to common questions that our personal injury lawyers often hear.
Personal Injury
Yes. Michigan law follows a modified comparative negligence rule. That rule allows an injury victim to recover compensation for pain and suffering damages as long as his or her share of the fault does not exceed 50 percent. If the victim shares in the fault for the accident, the compensation will be reduced by the percentage of his or her fault. If the victim was 20 percent at fault for the accident and was awarded $100,000 at trial, the total the victim will receive is $80,000.
The length of any personal injury case depends on multiple factors, including the severity of your injuries, the amount of your damages, and whether fault can be clearly established for your accident and injuries. If liability isn’t at issue and damages can be easily established, it may be possible to negotiate a settlement in as little as a few months. However, if the other party contests liability or damages or if you have ongoing treatment, it can take longer to reach a settlement. If it becomes necessary to take your case to court, it can take up to two years to reach a verdict at trial.
Having to go to court can seem daunting to people who don’t have experiences with the justice system. The reality is that most personal injury cases settle long before the case goes to trial. Most personal injury claims are resolved through a negotiated settlement. In a settlement, the injured party accepts a sum of money as compensation for his or her injuries and damage. The other party is released from any legal claim arising from those injuries and damages. A settlement allows both parties to avoid the expense, time and uncertainty of a trial.
Michigan has a three-year statute of limitations on most personal injury claims. This time limit begins on the date you were injured. If you file your claim after the time limit has passed, your case will be dismissed.
Yes. You can seek compensation from the government for causing an accident. Michigan has special procedures and reduced time limits that must be observed. You must file notice of your injury claim against a state agency within 120 days after the accident if the accident involved bad highway upkeep or a public building.
Michigan allows certain relatives of a deceased victim to file what is called a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim is much like a personal injury one. It allows you to seek damages on behalf of your deceased loved one, as well as for the loss your family has suffered.
Get Help from a Detroit Personal Injury Lawyer Now!
No one should have to suffer the financial burden of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. If you or a loved one were hurt through no fault of your own, you deserve compensation from those who caused your accident and injuries. Our personal injury lawyers in Detroit can help you pursue maximum compensation for your damages.
Our experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate lawyers will navigate the insurance or legal process and protect your rights. We will hold wrongful parties accountable and not rest until we ensure your financial stability.
Contact us or call 248-900-9000 today and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. You will learn more about your legal rights and your options for pursuing compensation for your injuries and damages. Connect with a lawyer near you.
