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Car Accident Lawyer Michigan

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The days and weeks after a motor vehicle accident are stressful. You may face a long recovery time for your injuries, incur medical bills, and lost wages from missed work. In addition, you likely have to go back and forth with your insurance adjuster, file a police report, and handle complicated paperwork related to your accident.

If you are injured in an accident with a negligent driver, you have several options for compensation. Michigan’s no-fault laws require you to carry PIP insurance, which will pay for your medical bills and a portion of lost wages. However, if your injuries are severe enough, you may also be able to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party.

If you have been involved in a car accident, get legal representation from Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. Working with our experienced legal team can help ensure your claims process is as stress-free as possible and get you fair compensation for the accident.

Continued Reading: How to Choose the Best Car Accident Lawyer?

Michigan Car Accident Lawyers

According to the 2021 Michigan State Police Report, there were 282,640 traffic accidents in the state. 1,068 of these crashes were fatal, and 51,666 resulted in injury.

Catastrophic injuries resulting from these car accidents include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, dismemberment, and disfigurement. 16,543 Michigan crashes resulted from distracted driving, 9,557 involved alcohol, and 2,999 involved drugs.

Many accident victims who sustain an injury in a car crash miss out on recovering PIP no-fault benefits if they don’t file within one year of the crash. Following your lawyer’s advice after a car accident in Michigan improves your chances of maximizing your compensation if you win your case.

Our attorneys can assist you with filing a prompt claim with your PIP insurance to receive full benefits and relieve you from the pressure of navigating insurance claims yourself.

After an accident, the Detroit car accident lawyers with Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can help to streamline the compensation process. We can deal with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or other parties on your behalf so you can focus on recovery. Our motor vehicle accident law firm can assist with the legal process by:

  • Obtaining the police reports for the car accident
  • Reviewing records of your medical treatment and examinations to determine the extent of your injury
  • Negotiating with insurance companies on settling your claim
  • Ensuring all documentation from the accident scene (police report, pictures, and witness statements) is accurate and complete

Economic Consequences of a Car Accident in Michigan

No matter how serious, an auto accident almost always has economic consequences. When an injury is involved and your car is totaled, the financial consequences of a car crash can quickly add up. Vehicle insurance coverage helps cover these costs, but processing an insurance claim takes time.

For example, you may need a vehicle to commute to the office daily if you don’t live near your work. When your car sustains damages in a crash, you may have to pay out of pocket for a rental car or a rideshare service. These expenses pile up if an insurer is slow to fulfill its obligations.

You may incur additional expenses if you miss work due to your injuries or can’t work the same number of hours as before the accident. Excessive medical bills and the cost of particular treatments or physical therapy can increase your need for a timely payout from your PIP insurance provider.

The auto accident attorneys at the law firm of Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., can minimize insurance company delays, so you receive compensation quickly.

Don’t accept a lowball offer. Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay us a fee unless we win a settlement or judgment for your claim.

What You Need to Receive Monetary Compensation in a Michigan Car Accident Case

Finding the documentation and evidence you need to file a claim after an accident can be challenging. You may be entitled to compensation for your financial losses, injuries, and pain and suffering caused by the car accident if you are insured and:

  • You were a passenger in the car, or the other driver was more than 50% at fault
  • You did not intentionally cause the car crash
  • A physician states the car accident was likely the cause of your injuries
  • A family member has passed away in a car accident, and a court rules it a wrongful death

Your auto accident attorney from Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can help you through this difficult time. We can assess your medical records and accident reports to determine the at-fault party in the accident and help you decide how to proceed with your case.

If you lost a loved one due to the crash and the court ruled it a wrongful death, you may be entitled to further damages. Beyond the cost of medical bills, you can claim compensation for the suffering of the deceased person, burial expenses, and loss of financial support the decedent provided.

Continued Reading: Do You Still Have Time to Call a Lawyer for Help With Your Car Crash Claim?

What is Michigan’s Car Accident No-Fault Law?

Under Michigan no-fault law, you can file a claim under your insurance policy.
As part of your insurance policy, you are entitled to medical expenses, wage loss benefits, replacement services, and coverage for damage you cause to other people’s property.

Personal injury protection benefits will cover a member of your family who was riding in someone else’s car. If you injured a pedestrian, your personal injury protection covers their treatment. Your insurance covers injuries to any person involved in an accident with your vehicle who does not have their own coverage. The policy includes personal injury protection, personal property insurance, and residual bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.

What are Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Benefits?

PIP coverage pays for reasonable medical expenses up to a certain amount in a car accident. If you must take time off work to recover, it also provides up to 85% of the income you would have earned for up to three years. Compensation for loss of wages is limited and updated annually in October.

What are Property Protection (PPI) Benefits?

No-fault insurance pays up to $1 million for damage your car causes to other people’s property, such as buildings and fences. In addition, it covers any damage your vehicle causes to a parked car. Further damage to your vehicle is not covered.

Bodily Injury (BI) and Property Damage (PD) Liability

If the injured person suffers severe injuries, an experienced attorney can file a claim against the negligent party’s BI coverage. This part of the policy has a separate damage cap from the PIP coverage.

Additional Michigan No-Fault Law blogs:

What Should I Know About Michigan’s Car Accident No-Fault Law?

Michigan drivers can choose from six levels of medical coverage as part of their PIP policy as of July 2020. You automatically get the unlimited PIP medical option if you do not choose a PIP medical option.

The policy limit you buy is the maximum the insurance company will pay under PIP medical coverage for your medical bills. The medical coverage limits include:

  • Up to $500,000
  • Up to $250,000
  • Up to $250,000 in coverage with PIP medical exclusion if you have non-Medicare health coverage that covers auto accident injuries
  • Up to $50,000 if you have Medicaid and your family members have another vehicle insurance policy, Medicaid, or other health insurance that covers auto accident injuries
  • Unlimited medical coverage

You can opt out of PIP for medical coverage if you have Medicare Parts A and B. Your family must have additional auto or health insurance to cover injuries sustained by an automobile accident.

Insurance companies suggest the recent changes will allow lower insurance premiums for drivers in Michigan while still providing compensation for accident victims.

Should I Talk to the Insurance Adjuster After an Accident?

An insurance adjuster will contact you for information about the accident. You do not have to provide information beyond your name, address, and telephone number. You can also give them your occupation and company’s name. Do not provide details about your work or income.

Get the adjuster’s name and contact information, the name of the company they work for, and their client’s name. Set firm boundaries at the beginning of the conversation, saying you will not discuss much over the phone and refuse to give a recorded statement.

They might push for more information, but you only have to provide the date and location of the accident, the type of accident, and contact information for witnesses. Do not give details. You should also refuse to provide details about your injuries, except that you are still receiving treatment.

How Our Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in Michigan

Under Michigan law, you must file a claim for property damage or personal injury against a third party within three years of the accident date. Promptly filing your car accident claim is crucial to receiving compensation.

You may be entitled to significant compensation if you have severe injuries or mental trauma from your car accident. Your Michigan car accident lawyer can help you structure your claim to get the best settlement. You can pursue two types of compensation under Michigan law; economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are tangible. They can be added or subtracted and given a specific monetary value. These types of damages include:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical bills
  • Cost of future medical care
  • Property damage, although there is typically a $3,000 limit on vehicle damage

Non-economic damages are intangible, harder to calculate, and harder to prove. Your Michigan auto accident lawyers can help you seek compensation for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental or emotional distress
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of reputation

For non-economic damages, you and your car accident lawyers must prove that the car accident’s mental and emotional consequences directly resulted. A car accident lawyer can assist you with gathering evidence for this part of your personal injury claim.

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How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we win your case. Michigan law prevents personal injury attorneys from charging more than one-third of the settlement or jury award. Contact our law firm for a free, no-risk consultation so you can share the circumstances of your claim and learn your legal options and next steps.

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Can I Sue for a Car Accident in Michigan?

According to Michigan automotive law, you can sue when you are involved in a car accident. You have three options; a mini-tort for physical damage to your personal vehicle only, no-fault benefits, and pain and suffering.

To claim pain and suffering damages, you must meet the serious injury threshold set by Michigan law. This threshold includes temporary or permanent impairment of a body function or permanent disfigurement.

If an uninsured motorist hits you, you can still file a no-fault claim to obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. You can also file with the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.

What Determines the Amount of Accident Settlements in Michigan?

Michigan’s average settlement for minor car accidents varies from case to case. Multiple factors determine the amount you receive for a minor auto accident, including whether you were injured and the severity of the damage to your car.

The car accident lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can give you an estimate based on the specific details of your case and previous settlements obtained for car accident claims under similar circumstances.

Why Do I Need a Michigan Accident Lawyer?

A car accident settlement varies depending on the circumstances. The severity of the car crash, the extent of the damage, the type of injury sustained, the types of vehicles, and who is at fault all factor into your settlement amount. These factors can be confusing, but experienced personal injury attorneys know how to calculate claims.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident That’s Not My Fault?

Even if a car accident is not your fault, you must report it to the police and your insurance company. You should check yourself for injuries and if you’re in pain, seek medical attention, inspect your car for damage and take photos if you are able.

Contacting a personal injury attorney with Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can help you get legal guidance on making a compensation claim. Senior partner Eileen Kroll’s background as a registered nurse allows her to share insight with our legal team about your injuries and how they might affect your life.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Attorney if You Were Hurt in a Car Accident?

Mounting medical expenses might make you worry about the upfront cost of hiring an auto accident attorney. Our lawyers work on contingency at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. This fee structure allows you to pay a percentage of the financial compensation we help you win.

We also offer a complimentary case evaluation. During this meeting, we will examine your evidence, ask questions, and give you feedback on your case.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Michigan Car Accident Lawsuit?

If you have sustained injuries or incurred severe damage to your car in a Michigan car accident, you have three years from the car crash date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This time frame is known as the statute of limitations and applies to wrongful death and personal injury claims.

However, under certain circumstances, the statute of limitations in Michigan may be longer or shorter than three years. In the case of an uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist claims, or if the car crash victim was a minor or mentally disabled, discuss the filing time frame of your case with a knowledgeable Michigan car accident attorney at our law firm.

Get Michigan’s Best Auto Accident Attorneys

The personal injury law firm of Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. has a winning track record for helping car accident victims. During the initial consultation, we can discuss your injuries and how they impact your life. We can also determine whether you meet the serious injury threshold to make a claim for pain and suffering.

Charging fees on a contingency basis allows us to provide high-quality legal services for everyone, regardless of income. We will guide you through the legal process and communicate with insurance providers on your behalf. Insurance companies try to pay as little as possible to protect their profits. We protect you.

If you believe you are a victim, let the attorneys skilled in car accident law at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. take on your case and fight for your rights. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation. We also charge no fees unless we help you recover compensation. Make an appointment today by filling out the convenient form on our website.

The law offices of Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. is dedicated to representing individuals and families who have suffered catastrophic losses due to injuries, disabilities, and death. The firm does not represent insurance companies or corporations but instead bases its practice upon representing individuals and families.

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Getting The Help You Need For a Michigan Car Accident

An auto accident lawyer at Michigan’s top-rated law firm, Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., will share with you information and advice that you won’t get from your insurance agent.

Victims of car accidents in Michigan can receive the maximum damages possible by relying on the expertise and trial experience of the car accident lawyers at the law firm of Cochran, Kroll & Associates.

If you believe you are a victim, let the attorneys experienced in car accident law at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. take on your case and fight for your rights. We offer a free consultation, and there is no obligation for car accident case evaluation. There is also no fee charged unless a recovery is made. Make an appointment today by filling out the interest form on our website.

Michigan Car Accident No-Fault Law Changes

Terry Cochran explains where we are today with Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance and the benefits of the current structure: “Since 1973, Michigan has had one of the most progressive no-fault laws. We have guarantees for accident victims that medical bills and full care will be covered for life.”

“Proposed changes will limit access to medical care providers and limit the amount of money available for car accident victims. The lowest coverage is $500,000. In the case of a catastrophic injury, that amount will be spent within the first six weeks.”

The elderly are particularly vulnerable. Seniors do not want to be a burden to their families, and it’s pretty clear that Medicare just won’t have funds to cover these expenses.

The insurance companies say the changes will allow for lower insurance premiums, but they make no commitments. Proponents of the proposed changes have a legitimate claim that medical and care expenses need more controls. Cochran, Kroll & Associates supports increased oversight of medical services and believes we need a more thorough review of services and goods by the medical community.

The Law Offices of Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. is dedicated to representing individuals and families who have suffered catastrophic losses due to injuries, disabilities, and death. The firm does not represent insurance companies or corporations but instead bases its practice upon representing individuals and families.

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