Just because you are involved in an auto accident does not mean you are at fault. If someone else is responsible for your crash, it may be best to get help from a Shelby Township car accident lawyer. You and your Shelby Township personal injury lawyer may work together to file a claim for damages.
White Law PLLC is a nationally recognized law firm. We have helped over 30,000 clients secure damages in personal injury cases. To learn more, reach out to us.
What to Do After a Car Accident
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there were 12.8 motor-vehicle crashes reported in the United States in 2022. You may be involved in a car accident at any time. Here are tips to help you respond to an accident without putting yourself or anyone else in harm’s way:
- Call 911. This will bring police officers and medical personnel to the accident scene within minutes.
- Get medical care. Let medical professionals treat your injuries.
- Speak to the police. Tell police officers what happened, and they can use the information you provide to prepare an accident report.
- Take photos and videos. Capture photos and videos of damage to your car, your injury, and other parts of the accident scene.
In addition to these things, you may want to contact an attorney within days of your accident. A lawyer can examine your case. They may help you submit an insurance claim.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
How Auto Insurance Works in Michigan
You are legally required to have auto insurance if you drive a car in Michigan. This insurance falls into the no-fault category. Based on this, you may get compensation to cover the cost of an auto accident, even if you are not responsible for it.
Car insurance may not cover all of your accident-related losses. If a negligent driver or another party caused your accident, you may seek damages from them. A car accident lawyer in Shelby Township, MI, may help you submit your claim.
At White Law PLLC, we take the guesswork out of personal injury claims. Our team is available to review your case and go over your legal options with you. For more information, get in touch with us.
We’re not just lawyers. We’re passionate advocates who will ensure that your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
When to File a Claim
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Michigan is typically three years. If you get hurt in an auto accident, you may have a maximum of three years from the date of the incident to ask for damages from a liable party. Beyond this window, you may be solely responsible for your accident-related losses.
A car accident attorney in Shelby Township, MI, will not delay in filing your claim. They can help you calculate your losses. Your lawyer may urge you to seek economic and non-economic damages.
You may request economic damages for your car repairs, medical bills, and other quantifiable losses. Along with these, you may ask for non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and other subjective harm. Your attorney can work with you to build an argument that shows a judge or jury that you deserve 100% of the damages that you are requesting.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Car Accident Cost
How much you may get in personal injury damages in Michigan depends on your case. A Shelby Township car accident attorney may help you figure out how your injury may affect you in the months and years to come. They may develop an argument that allows you to get enough compensation to cover all of your losses.
In an injury lawsuit, the defendant may push you to accept a settlement for far less than what your case is actually worth. If you get a settlement offer, you may want to evaluate it carefully. Otherwise, if you pounce at the first offer you get, you risk leaving money on the table.
Your lawyer can help you evaluate an offer from all angles. They may urge you to decline a proposal if it is short of what you want. Regardless of what your attorney recommends, you have the final say on whether to accept, reject, or counter a proposal.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Proving Negligence
To achieve your desired case results, you must prove a party was responsible for your car accident. You must verify that the party was negligent. To do so, you must show that the following elements of negligence were present when your accident took place:
- Duty of Care: A party had a legal obligation to act in a cautious and reasonable manner toward you.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The party put you in danger, violating their duty of care.
- Causation: Since the party chose to act in a certain way, you got hurt.
- Damages: You face economic or non-economic losses due to the party’s actions.
A car accident lawyer in Shelby Township may help you build a body of evidence. They may gather medical records, accident scene photos and videos, and other forms of proof. If your attorney has an abundance of evidence, they may be well equipped to show a judge or jury that you are in no way liable for your accident.
How Modified Comparative Negligence Applies to Your Car Accident Case
A car accident attorney in Shelby Township can provide a full explanation of Michigan’s modified comparative negligence law. Based on this law, you may get damages if you are partly liable for your auto accident. On the other hand, if you are primarily at fault for your accident, you may not recover compensation from the other party.
As an example, a judge or jury may rule that you are 20% liable for your auto accident. This means the defendant in your case is 80% responsible. Therefore, they may be ordered to pay 80% of the damages that you originally requested.
Now, consider how much money you may get if you are found to be 51% at fault for your auto accident. If this happens, a judge or jury says you are more responsible for your accident than the defendant. Thus, the defendant may not have to pay you damages.
Request Legal Help
If you have been hurt in an auto accident that occurred due to someone else’s negligence, the team at White Law PLLC may be able to help you out. Let us examine your case. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
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