PERSONAL INJURY 

PERSONAL INJURY EXPLAINED

Michigan boasts many beautiful places to visit and things to do. Nothing can flip your life upside down quite like an accident that causes a personal injury. If you have been injured in the state of Michigan, then it is important that you speak to an experienced Michigan personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to understand what your options are and how strong your personal injury claim may be.

WHAT TYPES OF INJURIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION?

Different accidents can result in different types of compensation available. The factors in your case will determine what kind of personal injury claim you can make. Common personal injury cases include:


  • Vehicle Accidents: If you suffer a personal injury in a vehicle accident, then you may be eligible to receive compensation from an insurance company and/or an individual.
  • Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrian accidents that involve vehicles are especially dangerous and can also result in a wrongful death. 
  • Slip and Fall: A property owner is required by law to ensure that their property is safe for visitors. If a property owner allows a dangerous condition to exist on his or her property and someone is injured because of that condition, then the property owner may be liable for money damages.
  • Motorcycle/Bicycle Accidents: Cyclists have to be especially careful due to the combination speed and the lack of protection they have in the event of an accident. The location and type of accident that you are involved in can determine the type of personal injury case you are able to file.

If you have been hurt in an accident, these are the three things you should do:

 


1. Check to see if you are safe and not hurt too badly. 

2. Once you are sure you are safe, start to think about what to do next. 

3. It is important that you try to document what happened in the accident. This means taking pictures, writing down what happened, and getting statements from people who saw the accident happen. This will help your case if you decide to sue for personal injury later on.

WHAT KIND OF COMPENSATION CAN I RECEIVE?

After an accident, the expenses can be too much for one person to handle. An accident can cost a lot of money and also cause emotional damage. There are some costs that can be paid for in a personal injury lawsuit, like:


Lost income 

Diminished ability to earn an income

Medical and rehabilitation costs

Disability expenses

Pain and suffering

Funeral and other related costs if a death occurred

Loss of consortium


These are just some of the types of costs and expenses that can be compensated for if you have suffered a personal injury. Money damages are broken into three different categories in personal injury cases. These damages are known as economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. 


Economic damages are direct expenses that can be determined by adding up medical bills and other expenses incurred by an injury. Noneconomic damages are indirect expenses that are harder to calculate such as mental anguish or loss of consortium. Punitive damages are additional costs that are ordered against a responsible party to punish their conduct. Punitive damage awards can be significant and are subject to being reviewed for appropriateness.

WHAT ABOUT NO-FAULT?

If you have been involved in a car accident on a Michigan roadway, then your case is governed by Michigan’s no-fault laws. Michigan requires all drivers to carry no-fault insurance, and you can be criminally charged if you fail to carry no-fault insurance while driving. 


Under no-fault, if you are involved in a car accident, then you simply make your damage claim to your own insurance company. Your insurance company is then expected to compensate you for your injuries. You do not typically file a lawsuit against the other driver in a Michigan accident unless that driver committed a crime, or your insurance policy isn’t enough to cover your injury expenses. No-fault insurance policies also cover all family members that live in the same household. Make sure to speak to an attorney if you have legal questions.

DO I EVEN NEED AN ATTORNEY?

It is not required that you hire an attorney in your personal injury claim, but it can be very helpful in getting the money you deserve. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and people who work for the company to help it save money. They do this by making sure the company pays out as little money as possible when people make claims. These lawyers and adjusters will use your inexperience against you, which can result in lower compensation or denied claims. It is important that you level the playing field with an experienced attorney.


It is important to have an experienced attorney on your side to help you get the money you deserve. Your attorney can help you understand how much your case is worth and ensure that compensation isn’t left on the table. If you forget to include damages that you are otherwise entitled to, then the insurance company will not go out of their way to give you more money. Having an attorney also lets the insurance company know that you are ready to go to trial if necessary. There are many benefits to having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side.

THE MY MICHIGAN LEGAL DIFFERENCE

When you are seeking to receive compensation for your injuries, it is important to understand the process and be familiar with the damages you are entitled to and the games that insurance companies play with claimants. Doing a thorough evaluation of the accident and the scene can reveal evidence that can help you with your personal injury claim. At My Michigan Legal, we pride ourselves on putting you in the best position to receive your highest level of compensation. Make sure you approach your case appropriately with an attorney who will help you get the money you deserve.

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

If you have been injured in an accident, then you will likely have a number of questions. Finding a website like this one can be a great resource, but it is not a substitute for the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney. If you have questions about your situation, then contact us at My Michigan Legal today.

TALK WITH AN ATTORNEY TODAY

FAQs

  • HOW ARE LEGAL FEES STRUCTURED FOR A PERSONAL INJURY CASE?

    A contingency fee structure in Michigan for a personal injury case works by having the lawyer and client agree that no attorney's fees will be due unless the case is successful. The lawyer will then take a previously established percentage of any settlement or jury award won as payment, typically ranging from 25%-40%. If a case is lost, the attorney may recover their legal costs from the client (which would have been paid out of the retainer mentioned earlier). However, many Michigan attorneys offer contingency plans with no up-front costs. It is important to discuss all payment options with your attorney before signing any agreements.

  • DO I EVEN NEED AN ATTORNEY?

    It can be difficult to know whether hiring an attorney is necessary in this type of case or not. In many cases, it depends on the severity of the injury and whether you have the ability to take legal action yourself. Generally speaking, injuries that are serious enough to require medical attention may warrant consulting with an attorney. Here's what you should consider when determining if a lawyer is necessary for your personal injury case:


    • The nature and extent of your injuries: If your injuries will require long-term medical care or rehabilitation, then legal assistance may be required to ensure that your rights are protected.
    • Whether there is a dispute about liability: If the other party is denying responsibility for the accident, then it might be worth seeking out an attorney who can help you fight for payment of your damages.
    • The amount of compensation available: Depending on the facts surrounding the incident, you may qualify for more than just medical expenses. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help determine what types of compensation are available and advise as to whether pursuing legal action is worthwhile.

    Overall, hiring an attorney in a personal injury case can make all the difference in ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your losses. An experienced lawyer can also guide you through each step of the process and provide valuable advice about your options throughout litigation.


  • WHY WOULD AN INSURANCE COMPANY DENY A CLAIM?

    Personal injury claims in Michigan can be denied for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common reasons are lack of sufficient evidence to prove negligence or fault on the part of another party, failure to meet legal time limits for filing the claim, and if it is determined that the injury was intentionally self-inflicted. Insurance companies may also deny claims if they believe there were preexisting medical conditions that contributed to the injury. Additionally, some insurance companies may require an independent medical examination before making a decision on the claim. If any of the above criteria are not met or if fraud is suspected, it is likely that your personal injury claim will be denied.

Share by: