Auto Accident Injury in Detroit, MI

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Detroit? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Detroit, MI that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics In Detroit, Michigan

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The Michigan State Police reported that in Wayne County, there were a total of 54,072 auto accidents in 2018. From these auto accidents, there were 153 fatalities. Most Wayne County accidents occurred on local streets. The crashes also resulted in a total of 11,796 injuries. Statewide, in the same year there were a total of 312,798 accidents with 905 fatalities and 55,340 injuries.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

The Michigan Legislature states that you must report all auto accidents right away to law enforcement, and you must remain at the scene of the accident until law enforcement arrives. Leaving the scene of an accident without waiting for law enforcement to report can leave you facing hit-and-run charges, which is a criminal charge.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that auto accidents in Michigan cost about $1.36 billion in 2018. These were only costs for medical care and lost wages. Adding in the expenses related to property damage would greatly increase this dollar amount. With that in mind, the state also had the highest insurance costs in the country, according to the City of Detroit website. The prevailing thought is that the state’s insurance laws led to these high insurance rates, which reform in 2020 seeks to change.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws In Michigan

Liability Laws for Detroit

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Michigan requires the purchase of unlimited medical coverage on car insurance policies, according to the City of Detroit. This has led to sky-high costs, but changes to the law will allow drivers more freedom to choose the medical coverage on their policies. However, the state still has a no-fault system where each driver must pay for their own costs in an accident regardless of fault.

Statute of Limitations in Detroit

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a court claim, while others may give you up to six years. Michigan’s statute of limitations for auto accidents is three years. The timer begins on the date of the accident, and it is the same for injury and property damage claims.

This is why it is essential to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Detroit, MI

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Michigan!