Auto Accident Injury in Michigan

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

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in 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 statistics for auto accidents from the Michigan State Police shows that there was a decrease in numbers across the primary metrics between 2017 and 2018. The total number of car crashes in Michigan in 2018 was 312,798. This was down from the 314,921 accidents in 2017. The number of fatal crashes declined from 937 to 905. Injury accidents went from 57,263 to 55,340. Accidents resulting in property damage alone were 256,721 in 2017 and 256,553 in 2018.

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 report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

According to Michigan’s Compiled Laws, Section 257.22, anyone involved in a car crash that results in injury, death or property damage exceeding $1,000 must report that accident immediately to the nearest law enforcement agency. The reporting officer is then required to submit a report to the director of the department of state police, who conducts an accident analysis. The results of this analysis are made public and available for three years.

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

In 2018, traffic accident deaths resulted in losses of $1.35 billion due to lost work and $12 million in medical costs, which put the total bill for fatal car accidents in Michigan at $1.36. Vehicle occupants incurred 71% of that liability, pedestrians 14%, motorcyclists 13% and bicyclists 2%.

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 MI

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.

The Michigan Compiled Laws establish a comparative negligence framework for the state. When a court claim is filed for personal injury or property damage, each party may be found to bear some portion of the blame. The amount that plaintiffs recover is reduced by the percentage of blame they carry. It is important to note, however, that anyone who is found to be more than 50% at fault is not allowed to collect noneconomic damages, such as “pain and suffering.”

Statute of Limitations in MI

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. Michigan’s statute of limitations requires you to file a personal injury claim within three years of the date of the accident. 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 In Michigan

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 MI!

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