Finding A Michigan Personal Injury Lawyer

What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

A personal injury lawyer represents people who have suffered losses because of another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct. They handle a variety of essential tasks, including investigating the accident to gather vital evidence that demonstrates liability. In the majority of cases, proving negligence is a key goal.

Your Michigan personal injury lawyer will work to show that the other party owed you a duty of care that they breached, leading to your injuries. If there were multiple parties involved, your attorney can also determine the fault that each bears and which ones you may be able to file against.

Using the evidence they gather, your attorney can establish the damages you could be eligible to receive. They can then begin negotiations with insurance companies to get you fair compensation. In instances when achieving a settlement is not an option, they can also file a lawsuit and prepare to take the case to trial.

What to Look for When Choosing Michigan Personal Injury Attorneys

As you begin your search for the right Michigan personal injury lawyer, one of the first things to ensure is that they have experience in the specific area of personal injury law your case falls under. Some attorneys undertake all types of personal injury claims, while others have a focus.

Ask how long they have been working in this type of law and what their success rate is. Keep in mind that a high settlement rate is not always indicative of a Michigan personal injury lawyer’s skill. Some attorneys settle cases very quickly, but for lower amounts of damages.

The lawyer should also have trial experience. Even if a settlement is the preferable option, having an attorney with litigation skills can mean being able to take the case further if needed.

You should also ask about the fee structure you can expect. Personal injury lawyers tend to work on contingency, which means they don’t charge upfront fees. Instead, they get paid when you do by getting a percentage of the settlement or jury award. The exact percentage will depend on the complexity of the case and many other factors.

Make sure to read reviews and client testimonials. These will give you a good idea of what service you can expect from the Michigan personal injury lawyer you’re considering.

Last but not least, consider their personality and whether you feel comfortable working with them. These cases can take time to resolve, so having someone on your side who is actively listening to your concerns is important. Ensure that you can reach them when you need to and that you don’t have to wait days for a call back.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims Filed in Michigan

A number of accident types can call for a personal injury claim. The following are some of the most common ones in Michigan:

Car Accidents

Car accidents are perhaps the most frequent type of incidents that lead to personal injury claims. It’s no surprise, either, when you look at how many car accidents per year result in injuries. In 2023 alone, there were 71,085 injuries as a result of collisions throughout Michigan.

Not all car accidents in the state will lead to a claim against the other party, however. That’s because Michigan has no-fault laws that typically require you to first file a claim against your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. If you suffer losses that go beyond your PIP coverage, then you can file against the other party.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrian and bicycle accidents can be severe because of the lack of protection these vulnerable road users have. In 2023, 2,114 pedestrians and 1,480 bicyclists were involved in collisions. Because these accidents tend to result in catastrophic injuries, victims are often eligible to pursue a claim against the other party.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are complex not only because of the severity of the injuries involved, but also because there could be multiple liable parties. The trucker could be responsible, but so could the trucking company if the driver was an employee. A Michigan personal injury lawyer can help establish the right parties to file against.

Motorcycle Accidents

In 2023, there were 3,056 motorcycle accidents throughout Michigan. Unfortunately, 164 of these were fatal. Since motorcycles don’t offer safety features like airbags or seat belts, even seemingly mild collisions could result in serious injuries.

Michigan doesn’t have a universal helmet law and allows people who meet certain criteria not to wear them. This makes brain injuries like concussions all too common in these crashes.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents generally fall under premises liability laws. These laws state that a property manager or owner has a responsibility toward visitors to keep the location reasonably safe.

Premises liability cases usually require demonstrating that you were on the property legally and that the owner was negligent when they failed to address the danger that resulted in your injuries.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice happens when a healthcare provider’s conduct falls below the expected and established standard of care and their actions cause injuries to the patient. Everything from a surgical error to a misdiagnosis can be considered malpractice.

Dog Bites

Michigan has strict liability laws in place when it comes to dog bites. Under these laws, the owner of the animal is liable for the injuries it causes, regardless of whether the dog ever showed aggression before.

One of the only defenses to a dog bite claim is that the animal was provoked. If the victim did anything to get the dog to react aggressively, the owner may not be liable. Sometimes, trespassing claims might also be used to reduce liability from the dog owner. A personal injury lawyer can help fight against such defenses.

Workplace Accidents

Accidents can occur at the workplace, especially in locations like construction sites or warehouses. A work injury lawyer can help you file a workers’ compensation claim and pursue any third-party claims, if that’s an option.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?

Not all injuries that occur in accidents call for a personal injury claim. These cases require showing that the other person owed you a duty of care that they breached. If the defendant failed to act with the reasonable care that someone else would have shown in the same situation, and that resulted in your losses, then you may have a case.

You must also have suffered losses for which you can be compensated. For example, if you only sustained a few bruises that didn’t require medical care, filing a personal injury claim may not be possible.

When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm?

Hiring a Michigan personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an incident is essential. The last thing you’ll want to do is deal with the legalities of beginning a claim while struggling with injuries, so having experienced representation can allow you to focus on healing.

It’s particularly vital to have help if you have suffered serious injuries. Such injuries can result in higher compensation because of the significant financial losses you likely sustained. You don’t want to risk a lower settlement by not having legal counsel.

If there are disputes as to who was liable for the accident, that, too, requires having a Michigan personal injury lawyer. The same applies if the insurance company denies coverage. In either case, the lawyer can investigate further and leverage available evidence to support your side of the story.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Michigan?

In Michigan, the statute of limitations for filing a claim after an accident is three years from the date you suffered injuries or from when you discovered that you were harmed. Although this might seem like a long time, it can go by very rapidly if you’re struggling with injuries. There might be exceptions, as well, that shorten the time you have.

Common Damages in Personal Injury Cases

In a personal injury claim, you can receive both economic and non-economic damages. When you speak to a Michigan personal injury lawyer, they can give you an estimate of the compensation you’ll be entitled to for your particular case. Common types of losses you may be able to seek compensation for include:

Medical Bills

Economic damages can cover your medical expenses. These include hospital bills, ambulance fees, medication costs and the purchase of assistive devices like wheelchairs. If you will need ongoing medical care, those costs can also be covered.

Property Damage

You may be entitled to receive compensation for any property damage the accident caused you. This is typically an option in traffic collisions, but it can occur in premises liability cases, too.

Lost Income

Suffering an injury often leaves you unable to go to work. This means you lose income that you would otherwise have received. Lost wages damages can compensate you for salaries, commissions, bonuses and benefits that you may have missed out on as you recovered.

Lost Earning Capacity

If the injuries are severe and leave you unable to work in the same capacity or at all, you can also receive compensation for future wages. To calculate these, your attorney will look at your career trajectory and the salary you were making up to that point.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the emotional and physical distress you may have experienced because of the accident.

Loss of Consortium

If a loved one dies as a result of their injuries, you can receive compensation for the loss of support and companionship you have experienced.

Serving Personal Injury Clients Across Michigan

Michigan personal injury lawyers serve clients throughout the state, including those living in:

• Detroit
• Ann Arbor
• Grand Rapids
• Flint
• Warren
• Lansing
• Sterling Heights
• Dearborn
• Troy
• Livonia
• Farmington Hills

When you reach out to ConsumerShield, we can match you with a skilled attorney in your area.

Connect With Experienced Michigan Personal Injury Lawyers

After suffering injuries in an accident that someone else caused, you may be able to file a claim and receive compensation. To do so, it’s essential to hire a local Michigan personal injury lawyer who is dependable and experienced.

At ConsumerShield, our team is dedicated to connecting people like you with trusted local attorneys. We carefully vet every option to help you find the right legal representation for your case. Contact us to get started today.