Common Factors that Contribute to Auto Accidents in Michigan
Here are some of the common factors that contribute to fatal as well as non-fatal auto accidents in Michigan. You may file personal injury claims if another driver caused your accident and injury because of one or more of these factors of negligence.
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Failing to yield the right of way to other motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Improper turns and passing
- Backing out of a driveway without checking for other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians
- Vehicle malfunctions caused by defective parts
- Poor road conditions
- Inclement weather conditions
An experienced Detroit car accident lawyer can help you determine the cause of your accident and if you should seek damages and pain and suffering compensation.
Types of Damages You Can Recover in Michigan Car Accident Claims
If your injuries meet the threshold set for serious injuries, you can file a tort claim against the at-fault party and recover the following damages.
Economic or Tangible Damages
- Medical expenses (including the cost of emergency medical care, diagnostic tests, lab tests, surgery, physician’s charges, hospitalization charges, and prescription medications)
- Cost of rehabilitation and therapy (including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy)
- Estimated cost of future treatment (if you fail to make a full recovery by the time your claim is settled and might require ongoing treatment and care for a period of time)
- Lost earnings (the amount of wages and perks you lost due to your time away from work)
- Loss of earning capacity (if you are physically disabled or if your cognitive abilities have declined due to your injuries and your earning capacity has been affected as a result)
- Cost of assistive devices, mobility devices, and prosthetics (if you are physically disabled as a result of your injuries)
- Cost of long-term care (if you are permanently disabled as a result of your injuries and might need long-term care and assistance)
- Property damage (cost of repairing your car and other items that were damaged in the accident)
Non-Economic or Intangible Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Permanent and significant scarring or disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
Apart from this, if you are physically or cognitively disabled to such an extent that you can no longer care for your family members and perform your duties as a spouse and as a parent, your spouse can bring a loss of consortium claim against the at-fault party and seek damages.
The amount of damages your spouse can recover under a loss of consortium claim depends on several factors including: (a) how long you have been married; (b) the severity of your injuries; and (c) the extent to which your disability has affected your relationship with your spouse and your children.
What Our Michigan Auto Injury Lawyers Can Do for You
Once you choose our personal injury law firm to represent you, our experienced car accident lawyers will get to work right away and take steps to make sure you get the medical care you need, build a strong case against the at-fault party, and recover the damages a victim is entitled to in motor vehicle accidents. These include:
- Helping you file a personal injury protection claim to make sure you get no-fault insurance benefits.
- Investigating the accident, identifying the at-fault parties, and collecting all the necessary evidence to establish their liability.
- Working out a payment arrangement with healthcare providers to make sure you get the treatment and care you need without having to pay your medical bills right away.
- Documenting the severity of your injuries.
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a settlement.
- Filing a car accident claim against the at-fault parties (if a negotiated settlement is not possible).
- Taking your case to trial and arguing before a judge or jury to recover the maximum possible amount of restitution.
Under Michigan law, the deadline for filing a personal injury claim against a private individual, organization, or business establishment is set at three years. If you want to sue a government agency, the deadline is much shorter and the procedures are much stricter. It is why you need to contact a knowledgeable car accident lawyer as soon as you can after a car crash.
The Michigan auto accident attorneys at The Lobb Law Firm have extensive experience in handling car, motorcycle, and truck accident claims. We can provide you with personalized, effective legal representation that delivers results. Our Detroit car accident lawyers can handle auto injury cases, as well as truck accidents and motorcycle accidents. We have a track record of obtaining large settlements for our clients and will fight to you get the monetary damages you deserve.
Call a personal injury attorney from The Lobb Law Firm today at 248-591-4090 or contact us online to set up a consultation.