Experienced & Knowledgeable Car Accident Lawyer in Okemos, Michigan
Suffering an injury from a car accident can be extremely painful and emotionally overwhelming. You may be wondering how to obtain financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income, and even pain and suffering from your injury. On the other hand, you may receive a settlement offer from your insurer or the at-fault party that doesn’t fulfill your needs.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Okemos, let our Okemos car accident attorney protect your rights and best interests through the legal process. Our Okemos personal injury lawyers can investigate the accident, gather and assess evidence, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and help you maximize the award you deserve. Do not hesitate to let us help you make the best possible recovery from injury.
Our Okemos car accident attorneys handle the following types of car accident cases:
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Rear-end Collisions: These accidents occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. They are commonly caused by tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden stops, and can result in whiplash, back injuries, and other severe consequences.
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Head-on Collisions: A head-on collision happens when two vehicles collide front-to-front, often due to driver error, fatigue, or impaired driving. These accidents are especially dangerous and can cause severe injuries or fatalities.
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Distracted Driving Accidents: These accidents occur when a driver takes their attention away from the road due to activities like texting, talking on the phone, eating, or using in-car technology. Distracted driving significantly increases the risk of collisions and can lead to severe injuries or fatalities.
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Fatal Car Accidents: A fatal car accident results in the death of one or more individuals involved. These accidents often involve high-speed crashes, impaired driving, or reckless behavior. Families who lose a loved one in a fatal car accident may be entitled to wrongful death compensation.
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Head-On Accidents: Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles crash directly into each other from opposite directions. These accidents are often devastating, leading to serious injuries or fatalities, especially at high speeds or when drivers fail to remain in their lane.
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Hit and Run Accidents: A hit-and-run accident happens when a driver involved in a crash flees the scene without exchanging information or helping the injured. Victims of these accidents may struggle to recover compensation but can seek damages through their insurance or by pursuing legal action against the at-fault driver.
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Lyft Accidents: Lyft accidents involve crashes while a passenger is riding in a Lyft vehicle. Whether the accident occurs due to the driver’s negligence or another motorist’s fault, injured passengers may be entitled to compensation through Lyft’s insurance or other liability coverage.
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Rear-End Accidents: Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle strikes the back of another, often due to following too closely or distracted driving. These accidents can cause whiplash, neck, and back injuries, even at low speeds, and typically result in insurance claims for medical treatment and property damage.
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Teen Driver Accidents: Teen driver accidents are often the result of inexperience, risky driving behaviors, or distractions. Given their lack of experience behind the wheel, teen drivers are at a higher risk of being involved in accidents, especially during their first years of driving.
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Uber Accidents: Uber accidents happen when a passenger is riding in an Uber vehicle, or when an Uber driver is involved in a crash. Injuries may result from the negligence of the Uber driver or another motorist. Passengers may seek compensation from Uber’s insurance or the responsible driver’s policy.
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Uninsured Motorist Accidents: Uninsured motorist accidents occur when the at-fault driver does not have insurance or sufficient coverage to pay for damages. If you’re involved in such an accident, your own insurance may cover medical expenses and property damage, but you may also be able to pursue legal action to recover additional damages.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Michigan Car Accident Laws
Michigan is considered a “no-fault” car insurance state, which means your own “personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays for your medical bills and other out-of-pocket losses (e.g. lost wages and property damage) as a result of a crash—up to the policy limits—no matter who is at fault. The minimum amounts for PIP coverage are $20,000 per individual, $40,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage per accident.
Unfortunately, you cannot recover noneconomic damages (e.g. pain and suffering) from a no-fault claim. However, if your injury was serious (i.e. serious or permanent impairment of a body part or function or disfigurement) or if the at-fault driver is not a Michigan resident and not insured in the state, you may file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Yet, if multiple parties share fault for a crash, Michigan follows a “comparative fault” rule, meaning the amount you can recover from a car accident is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your total damages are equal to $100,000 but you were found to be 15 percent responsible, your total award will be $85,000. If you end up being more than 50 percent to blame, you are prohibited from recovering noneconomic damages.
Who’s At Fault?
Settling the claims associated with a car accident can be difficult when all case facts are considered. One of the main points of concern is whether you live in a no-fault or comparative-fault state. The state of Michigan is a no-fault insurance state that requires drivers and other accident victims to file claims with their own insurance company first, regardless of who is at fault.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
What is No-Fault Insurance?
No-fault insurance is required for every car owner before you can even get license plates in the state of Michigan.
No-fault insurance is made up of three parts, including:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This part of your insurance will cover all “reasonably necessary” medical expenses with no maximum limit. In addition, it will also cover up to 85% of the income you would have earned, if you had not been injured, for up to three years. If you are killed in an accident, then this income will go to your family.
- Property Protection (PPI). Under no-fault insurance, your insurance company will pay up to $1 million for any damage your car does to other people’s property, such as buildings.
- Residual Liability Insurance – Bodily Injury and Property Damage. This part of your insurance will protect you from being sued unless your accident fits under one of these exceptions:
- If you cause an accident in which someone dies, is seriously injured, or is permanently disfigured.
- If you are involved in an accident in Michigan with someone who is not a resident and who is an occupant of a vehicle not registered in Michigan.
- If you are involved in an accident in another state.
- If you cause damages to another person’s car which are not covered by insurance.
No-fault insurance will cover all of these damages, up until the specified limits, regardless of fault in the car accident.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Car Accident Injuries in Okemos, MI
According to Michigan State Police, in 2023, Ingham County reported a total of 7,849 crashes, with 28 of those resulting in fatalities, leading to 30 lives lost. Additionally, there were 1,508 injury-related accidents, resulting in 2,117 individuals sustaining injuries. Property damage was also a significant issue, with 6,313 crashes involving only property damage. These statistics highlight the importance of road safety and underscore the ongoing need for legal assistance for those involved in accidents, whether they result in injuries, fatalities, or property damage.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Talk to an Okemos Car Accident Lawyer Today
Although you may file your claim with your own insurance company, remember that they are only looking out for its own best interests—not yours. Insurance adjusters will try their best to offer a low-ball settlement or deny your claim entirely. That is why having our Okemos car accident attorney on your side can ensure you get the most favorable settlement possible.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
