Auto Accident Injury in Flint, MI

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Flint? 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 Flint, MI that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Flint, 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 Traffic Crash Reporting System used by the Michigan State Police shows 10,656 crashes in Genesee County in 2019. According to the same report, nearly 75,000 people suffered injuries during these types of incidents statewide. As a result, the Flint Police Department strictly enforces safety laws to protect residents of the city. Michigan’s seat belt laws say law enforcement can pull motorists over if they notice someone isn’t wearing one.

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.

Michigan law states that you have to stop after an accident and submit a report to the police within 3 days of the incident. The Flint Police Department Citizens Online Police Reporting System is where you can submit information about a non-emergency. Law enforcement will issue a case number, and you can receive one copy of the report for free.

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 University of Michigan published a report in 2017 that provides relevant examples of the financial impact of car accidents in the state. Crashes between medium and large trucks alone cost over $1.3 billion in 2015 dollars, or 1.43 billion adjusted for inflation to 2021. To prevent more injuries in cities like Flint, the CDC reviews policies to reduce this public health concern’s impact on the community.

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 Flint

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.

Statutes passed by the Michigan Legislature help determine how the law defines a personal injury case. For example, consider a situation where a dog bites another person without provocation in Flint. The canine’s owner has a strict liability for their pet, which means they hold responsibility regardless of the animal’s behavioral history. For car accidents, however, the state uses a “no-fault” system to resolve its consequences. Insurance companies cover the cost of injuries and damages regardless of who is at fault under this type of system. As a result, most accidents are unlikely to go to court except for under severe circumstances.

Statute of Limitations in Flint

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 claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years.

Victims of a car accident in Flint have up to 3 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit under current Michigan law. This legislation states that you cannot recover damages for injuries after this amount of time has passed. If you want to take civil action against someone for suffering and damages in Flint, obtain a copy of the report and contact a lawyer soon.

This is why it is important 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 Flint, 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 that 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!