If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in Michigan, you may find it difficult to get the compensation you need and deserve from an at-fault driver or from the insurance companies. When you’re fighting for your future, you having dedicated, experienced, legal representation on your side can level the playing field.
A car accident lawyer in Michigan from Christensen Law will fight to secure the financial compensation you need for your recovery. However, timing is critical when you’re filing a car accident claim. This is why it is so important to contact us early to schedule a free initial case review.
During our first meeting, you can discuss the details of your car accident claim with one of our auto accident injury lawyers. You can also learn more about your legal rights and the monetary compensation you may be entitled to. Call our team at 248-900-9000 or fill out our online contact form to get started.
Why Michigan Is Dangerous for Drivers
As Michigan personal injury lawyers, we see firsthand how car accidents can be devastating for injury victims and their loved ones and survivors. With more than 8.6 million registered vehicles currently on the road in Michigan, vehicular accidents occur on a daily basis in our state. Many result in severe or catastrophic, life-changing injuries.
The worst auto accidents often prove to be fatal, with 1,040 fatalities in 2023, representing a 5.5% increase over 2019 reported levels. When motorists are distracted, fatigued, intoxicated, impaired, aggressive, or negligent, they can be held accountable when they cause an accident.
Victims of traffic accidents caused by negligence – the drivers and passengers who are hurt – deserve compensation for medical bills, lost wages, other out-of-pocket costs, and pain and suffering. That’s where our team comes in. We put the full weight of our resources behind your claim to get you the compensation you need to move forward after a wreck.
How a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
When you’ve been in an auto collision, you do not have to try to get compensation for your injuries and damages on your own. Instead, turn to a knowledgeable Michigan car accident lawyer from Christensen Law. We can help you pursue your car accident injury claim by:
- Investigating your accident to secure evidence you may need to build your legal case.
- Consulting with expert witnesses to develop persuasive legal arguments.
- Identifying who was at fault for your accident.
- Helping you understand the claim process and advise you on the best steps to take in your case.
- Contacting insurance companies and filing claims for compensation.
- Negotiating with insurance adjusters and defense lawyers to reach a settlement with full and fair compensation for you.
If we can’t reach a fair settlement in negotiations, we will also prepare your case for trial if it becomes necessary. We aren’t afraid to take your car accident case to court and argue for the compensation you need and deserve.
Why You Should Choose the Michigan Car Accident Lawyers at Christensen Law
At Christensen Law, our focus is on getting justice rather than settling for less. We put your needs first to ensure you get the compensation you need after an accident.
Our team of experienced Michigan car accident lawyers has a proven track record of success in handling complex cases and securing significant settlements and verdicts for our clients. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a car accident can take on you and your family.
We are dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate representation that addresses your unique needs and goals. With our extensive knowledge of Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws and our commitment to aggressive advocacy, we can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Compensation in a Michigan Car Accident Claim
If you’ve been involved in a car accident that was another driver’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you have experienced because of the accident. These damages may include:
- Medical treatment, such as hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s office visits, prescriptions, rehabilitation services, and mobility and medical equipment.
- Long-term care costs, such as personal care costs or alterations to your home to accommodate disabilities caused by your injuries.
- Lost wages and income, if you miss time from work while recovering from your accident.
- Future lost earnings if your injuries prevent you from earning the same level of pre-accident income.
- Pain and suffering, or the physical and mental anguish caused by your injuries.
- Lost quality or enjoyment of life due to physical disfigurement or disabilities.
A skilled car accident attorney will be able to review the details of your case to determine how much compensation you may be owed – for no charge.
Time Limit for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Michigan
When you’ve been injured and suffered damages in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you have a time limit on filing a personal injury lawsuit. In Michigan, the time limit on car accident lawsuits is generally three years from the date of your accident.
The time limit on filing a lawsuit may be extended in certain circumstances. For instance, the time limit can be extended if you are a minor or if you were involved in an accident with a hit-and-run driver who you could not immediately identify.
If you don’t file your lawsuit before Michigan’s statute of limitations expires, the court may permanently dismiss your lawsuit. If that happens, you will lose your right to seek compensation for your accident. To protect your right to compensation, be sure to contact a lawyer for a free case review as soon as you’re ready to learn more about your legal options.
What to Do to Protect the Value of Your Michigan Car Accident Claim
After a wreck, what you do in the immediate aftermath can determine how much your compensation may be or whether or not you get any compensation at all. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a car accident, call 911 and take these steps to protect your rights and help strengthen your legal argument in your Michigan car accident claim:
- Get an accident report. The officer who comes to the scene will prepare an accident report. This report will detail the officer’s findings and whether anyone was cited or arrested for the accident. Potentially, the officer may have an opinion on who may have been at fault.
- Get the contact and insurance information of the other driver(s). Per Michigan Vehicle Code Section 257.617, you are required by Michigan law to exchange information after a wreck. That way, you know who to contact if you later make a claim for compensation.
- Take photos or videos of the accident scene. If possible, photograph or video details of the accident scene. Show the positions of the vehicles after the accident as well as damage to the vehicle, any skid marks, traffic controls at the scene, and road conditions at the time of your accident. Also photograph any of the visible injuries you have.
- Notify your insurance company of your accident. Tell your insurer about your accident, even if you were not to blame. Your insurance policy probably requires you to promptly notify your insurer about any accident as a requirement for coverage under your own policy. Your policy may offer personal injury protection or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Follow up with your doctor. After your accident, you may not feel any pain or other symptoms of injuries. But a doctor may examine you and identify injuries that you did not notice. Documenting your injuries as soon as possible will allow you to make a stronger claim for those injuries when seeking compensation.
- Speak to a car crash lawyer about your rights and options. A car accident attorney will help you understand the car accident claim process and can begin investigating your accident to build a legal strategy.
How Long a Michigan Car Accident Claim Takes to Settle
The length of time it takes to settle a Michigan car accident claim can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Some factors that can influence the timeline include:
- Severity of injuries: Claims involving more severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage, often take longer to settle, as the full extent of the damages may not be immediately apparent, and ongoing medical treatment may be required.
- Complexity of the case: Cases involving multiple parties, disputed liability, or complex legal issues can take longer to resolve, as they may require more extensive investigation and negotiation.
- Insurance company cooperation: Some insurance companies drag out the process or avoid paying fair compensation. They may use delaying tactics, such as repeatedly requesting additional information or documentation, or they may outright deny liability for the accident, forcing the victim to pursue legal action.
- Legal proceedings: If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, the case may need to go to trial, which can extend the timeline by several months or even years.
In general, straightforward cases with clear liability and minor injuries may be settled within a few months. However, more complex cases can take several months to a year or more to resolve. In some instances, particularly those involving severe injuries or complicated legal issues, the settlement process may even extend beyond two years.
Understanding Comparative Negligence in Michigan Car Accident Claims
If you were partially at fault for your car accident, you need to understand Michigan’s comparative negligence rules.
Under the traditional contributory fault rule, an injured plaintiff who was partially to blame for an accident is barred from obtaining compensation. That is not the case in Michigan. The state’s comparative negligence policy allows an injured driver who was partially at fault for an accident to recover compensation so long as they were not more than 50 percent responsible.
If you share less than 51% of the fault in a wreck, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault. Let’s say that you were injured in a Michigan car accident and suffered $100,000 in damages. If you were found to be 20 percent at fault for your accident, under Michigan’s comparative negligence rules your compensation would be reduced by $20,000.
If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you are barred from collecting any non-economic damages for pain and suffering. You are, however, still entitled to collect economic damages, but they will be reduced by the share of your comparative negligence.
As you can see, being partially at fault is not the end of your car accident claim. But it is critical that you have a car accident attorney who will vigorously argue to protect your claim under that negligence rule.
Common Injuries You Can Seek Compensation for in a Michigan Car Accident Claim
Victims of car accidents can suffer a wide variety of injuries. Common injuries that car accident victims suffer that form the basis of Michigan car accident claims include:
- Severe contusions and lacerations, which can lead to dangerous bleeding
- Broken bones
- Sprains and tears of soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Neck and back injuries, such as disc herniations or ruptures
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Amputations
- Burns
- Head injuries, including eye and ear trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
In general, the more serious your injuries, the higher your compensation will be. This is because car accident victims with catastrophic, life-changing injuries may require a lifetime of medical care, help with everyday tasks, adaptive equipment, and other expenses related to the injuries they sustained in the wreck.
