Personal Injury Law in Detroit, MI
Were you hurt due to another’s negligence in Detroit? If so, it may have far-reaching consequences such as a loss of wages or extensive medical treatment. Personal injury law allows an injured person to get damages if the responsible person acted recklessly. A personal injury attorney in Detroit, MI can help navigate the lawsuit to make sure you receive all of the compensation you deserve.
What Is Personal Injury Law?
Personal injury law in Detroit relates to the legal process of getting compensation for an injury caused by someone else’s negligent behavior. These cases involve one party, the plaintiff, trying to seek financial compensation for expenses incurred and money lost as a result of the defendant’s reckless behavior. These cases involve both parties’ insurance companies and may even settle before proceeding to litigation.
Examples of Personal Injury Claims in Detroit, MI
Some personal injury claims are more common than others. However, almost any incident that ends with a physical or mental injury could qualify, depending on the circumstances.
A few of the most common personal injury claims are:
- Car Accidents
- Slip and Fall
- Dog Bites
- Medical Malpractice
- Workplace Accidents
- Burn Injuries
Most Common Injuries in Detroit
According to Michigan’s Core Violence and Injury Prevention Program Burden Report, on an average day, 160 people were hospitalized and 17 people died in Michigan from an injury. In fact, injuries are the leading cause of death for Detroit, Michigan residents between 1 to 49 years of age. The most common injuries in Michigan that lead to either emergency room visits or hospitalizations are motor vehicle crashes, falls, and poisonings.
Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Detroit, MI
Once you determine that you wish to proceed forward with a personal injury action in Michigan
A lawsuit begins when a complaint is filed with the court and served on the defendant. The complaint alleges your assertion as the plaintiff that the defendant’s negligent behavior resulted in damage to your body or mental state. As the process proceeds forward, you may have to go through depositions, independent medical evaluations, and document production. This discovery process is lengthy and ends in either a settlement or a court appearance. After filing your lawsuit in Detroit, Michigan with the civil court, you will enter the discovery or evidence-gathering process. Next comes a case evaluation and meditations which could lead to a potential settlement. If no settlement can be reached at this point, your case may proceed to trial. With most personal injury cases, insurance companies and injured parties prefer settlement negotiations rather than going to court for a trial. You may wonder how much you should seek in your settlement and the factors that impact the final amount. According to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, 18% of personal injury claims closed with payment that had the appearance of fraud and/or buildup. Michigan Courts offer a case record search service that allows you to see the public records of cases heard by the Michigan Civil Court. While there is no true average settlement amount for personal injury cases, across the nation, personal injury cases tend to settle between $3,000 and $75,000. If the other party has insurance, the insurance company likely wants to settle out of court to avoid leaving the final settlement decision to a jury. Settlements benefit injured parties as much as they do insurance companies. This is because accepting a settlement means you receive compensation sooner rather than later. Also, by going to court in MI, that means you risk not receiving any compensation at all. If your personal injury case goes to trial, your legal team will present a request for damages to compensate you for the harm caused by the defendant. In personal injury cases, courts may award three types of damages depending on the specifics of your claim and the extent of your injuries. Special compensatory damages are designed to cover measurable financial losses, including medical bills, lost income, and insurance deductibles. These damages require proof, so you’ll need to submit receipts and documentation to support your claim. General compensatory damages, on the other hand, address non-economic losses that are harder to quantify. If you qualify for special compensatory damages, you may also request general damages to account for pain, suffering, and emotional distress caused by the injury. Punitive damages are awarded less frequently and are entirely at the court’s discretion. These damages are meant to punish the defendant if their actions were particularly reckless or malicious, resulting in severe harm to you. In Michigan, there is no cap on economic or non-economic damages for personal injury claims. However, the state does impose damage caps on settlements related to medical malpractice and product liability, making it important to work with an attorney who understands these limitations. In personal injury cases, the injured party has a limited window of time to file a lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. This timeframe is set by state law and typically begins either on the date the injury occurred or when the injury was first discovered. Proving the discovery date can be more complex, as the plaintiff must demonstrate when they became aware of the injury and its cause. Michigan law allows three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Detroit, this means you have exactly three years from the date of your injury to initiate legal action. Failing to file within this timeframe could result in losing your right to seek compensation. Because time is a critical factor, it’s important to consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Acting quickly ensures you protect your rights and gives your attorney time to gather evidence and build a strong case for the compensation you deserve. Pursue a personal injury claim in Detroit against the responsible person if you are dealing with an injury caused by someone else. One of our experienced lawyers can help you navigate your personal injury claim. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Michigan state lines. Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area! Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States. With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations. Answers to legal questions can often lead to more questions. If you’re seeking more about an area of law in Detroit, we’ve got you covered.Michigan Personal Injury Settlement
Damage Awards in Michigan
Statute of Limitations in Detroit, MI Personal Injury Law?
Work With an Experienced Detroit, MI Lawyer
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