After an accident, deciding whether to seek legal help can be challenging, especially when dealing with injuries, insurance claims, and medical bills. Recognizing when to speak with a Michigan personal injury lawyer can change the result of your case.
Contacting a lawyer can help you understand your options after a car accident, a slip and fall, or injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. Here, we discuss the scenarios in which receiving legal help is most advantageous.
1. Severe Injuries with Long-Term Impact
Consulting a personal injury lawyer early in the process is crucial when severe injuries occur. Injuries that result in lengthy recovery periods, long-term rehabilitation, or permanent disability require a full assessment of all medical needs, both current and future. A lawyer will assess:
- Medical costs for initial treatment and ongoing care.
- Projected future medical expenses.
- Lost income, including reduced earning capacity for long-term disabilities.
In Michigan, severe injuries from auto accidents also open the possibility of a third-party lawsuit, especially if the injury meets the state’s “serious impairment of body function” threshold. A lawyer can help evaluate whether your injuries meet this standard, necessary to recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
2. Complicated or Disputed Liability
Accidents with disputed or unclear liability benefit significantly from legal representation. When multiple parties are involved, or an at-fault party denies responsibility, an attorney’s expertise is essential to gathering evidence and proving fault. Michigan has a “modified comparative fault” rule, meaning settlement can be lowered based on the degree of fault attributed to you.
If insurance companies assign you more than 50% fault, you risk losing your right to recover compensation. A personal injury lawyer will:
- Collect accident evidence, such as witness statements and accident scene photos.
- Review police reports and surveillance footage.
- Work with accident reconstruction experts if needed.
This proactive approach helps counter any unfair blame placed on you, which insurance adjusters often attempt to reduce their payout obligations.
3. Insurance Companies Offering Low Settlements
Insurance companies commonly offer quick, low settlements to claimants, mainly if they think the individual needs more legal representation. These initial offers are rarely adequate to cover all costs associated with an injury. Speaking with a Michigan personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement ensures that you fully understand the value of your claim and won’t settle for less than you deserve.
A lawyer can help by:
- It reviews the settlement offer and assesses whether it covers medical bills, future treatment, and lost wages.
- I am calculating non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
- We are negotiating on your behalf to secure fair compensation.
Insurance companies rely on claimants’ lack of knowledge about the actual cost of an injury.
4. Medical Bills Exceeding No-Fault Coverage
Under Michigan’s no-fault insurance system, personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays for medical bills, lost income, and replacement services regardless of fault. However, medical expenses from serious accidents can quickly surpass no-fault policy limits, especially for those with limited coverage. Michigan drivers can choose lower PIP coverage, which increases the risk of out-of-pocket expenses after a severe accident.
A lawyer can help if:
- Medical costs exceed policy limits, making it difficult to cover expenses.
- Additional coverage options, like health insurance, need to be improved.
- Third-party claims against an at-fault driver’s insurance are necessary.
Navigating the transition from no-fault PIP benefits to a third-party claim can be complex, particularly when determining which expenses the at-fault driver’s insurance might cover. An experienced personal injury lawyer clarifies these options and maximizes your compensation options.
5. Emotional Distress, Pain, and Suffering
In Michigan, personal injury victims often seek damages for emotional distress, pain, and suffering if they’ve experienced severe injuries. These non-economic damages aren’t included in no-fault coverage and require that injuries meet specific legal criteria to file a claim for additional compensation.
Factors a lawyer will consider include:
- The impact of injuries on your daily life, relationships, and career.
- Psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
- Evidence to support the claim for non-economic damages.
Calculating and proving these intangible losses requires experience with Michigan’s injury laws, so consulting a lawyer can improve your chances of a successful claim for these damages.
6. Cases Involving Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one due to an accident is an emotionally and financially devastating event. Michigan’s wrongful death laws allow families to seek compensation for the deceased’s medical bills, lost income, and funeral costs, as well as non-economic damages like the loss of companionship.
A lawyer with experience in wrongful death cases can assist families by:
- Navigating the legal requirements specific to Michigan wrongful death claims.
- It is proving negligence or liability against the responsible party.
- Calculating all potential damages, including future income the deceased would have earned.
Consulting a lawyer as soon as possible ensures your case meets this deadline and families have the necessary support during this difficult time.
Steps to Take Before Speaking with a Lawyer
Taking the following steps before contacting a personal injury lawyer can improve your case’s strength:
- Collect medical records
- Document the accident
- Record witness information
- File necessary reports
- List questions for your lawyer
Ensuring Fair Treatment After an Injury
Knowing when to speak with a Michigan personal injury lawyer can be vital for receiving fair treatment after an accident. Severe injuries, disputed faults, low settlement offers, high medical costs, and cases involving pain and suffering or wrongful death are situations that require professional support. Consulting a lawyer provides valuable insights into your options, protects your rights, and increases the likelihood of receiving total compensation for your losses. These early steps can offer peace of mind and a more secure path forward during challenging times.
