Personal Injury Law in Flint, MI

Were you hurt due to another’s negligence in Flint? 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 Flint, 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 Flint 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 Flint, 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 Flint 

The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity reports an estimated 101,900 nonfatal accidents in 2019 alone. Injury and poisoning are the second leading cause of those hospital visits, according to MDHHS. Motor vehicle crashes are the third-leading cause based on a 2018 Injury and Violence in Michigan report. Slip and falls, car accidents, poisoning, or being struck by an object may result in the need for a personal injury lawyer from Flint.

Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Flint, 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 settlement or a court appearance.

Most legitimate personal injury cases settle before a trial becomes necessary. Mediation may start after the discovery portion of a lawsuit concludes, but your lawyer can reach a settlement at any time. If you can’t settle on an agreement with the defendant, attending hearings in a Flint courtroom may become necessary.

Michigan Personal Injury Settlement

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 factors that impact the final amount.

Flint made news again in August 2020 when the state government agreed to pay $600 million to settle lawsuits related to the water quality crisis. NPR reported that anyone who owned or rented a home in the city between April 2014 and July 2016 is eligible for compensation. This type of class-action lawsuit can give you some compensation for injuries. But if you believe you have an individual case, you may want to speak with a lawyer.

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, going to court in MI, means you risk not receiving any compensation at all.

Damage Awards in Michigan

If your Michigan personal injury lawsuit goes before a judge or jury, your legal team will be ready with a request for damages. In personal injury cases, there are three types of damage awards a court may order the defendant to pay to compensate you for the damage he or she inflicted.

Special compensatory damages reimburse you for things such as lost income, medical bills, and insurance deductibles. You submit receipts proving these losses.

General compensatory damages are subjective. If you receive special compensatory damages, you may also collect general damages. If your injury was particularly painful, you might request that the judge order the defendant compensate you for the pain and anguish.

Punitive damages are the most rarely awarded and are up to the court. The judge or jury may determine that the defendant’s negligence was particularly heinous and the resulting injury to you was equally horrific.

The State of Michigan does not have a cap on damages for most personal injury cases. Flint residents that file a product liability or medical malpractice suit may see a damage cap for this type of litigation.

Statute of Limitations in Flint, MI Personal Injury Law?

The injured party may have a set amount of time to file suit for a personal injury case. State law establishes statutes of limitation. Commonly, the plaintiff’s injury or discovery of the injury begins the statute of limitations. However, the latter factor is trickier, as the plaintiff will have to prove when the injury was first realized.

You have up to three years after an incident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan. Flint residents who wait beyond this period may not recuperate damages for their trauma.

We recommend you speak with a personal injury lawyer for this matter. Don’t wait too long and miss out on receiving the compensation you deserve for your injury.

Work With an Experienced Flint, MI Lawyer

Pursue a personal injury claim in Flint 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!

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