Steve Matz and his team have been practicing law in Michigan for decades. They’ve logged hundreds of thousands of miles traveling to virtually every county in Michigan’s lower and upper peninsulas, meeting with clients, and doing the work necessary to earn significant settlements on their clients’ behalf.
Injuries sustained in car accidents can be quite serious. They can cause severe pain, interfere with your quality of life, and cause financial devastation by keeping you out of work. Even if an injury does not seem too severe at first, without prompt medical care it can become much worse.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Marquette, Michigan, you are not alone. The car accident attorneys at Matz Injury Law have helped accident victims for decades. They provide compassion while fighting to obtain the compensation you deserve and need. Reach us through our contact page or call 866-226-6833 today.
What Are the Different Types of Car Accidents?
Automobile accidents can come in many forms. They can cause injuries ranging from sprains and broken bones to spinal and brain injuries. A personal injury attorney can help you deal with the aftermath of any type of collision.
- T-bone collisions: These often result from someone speeding or running a red light or stop sign.
- Head-on collisions: These are among the most dangerous types of accidents. Victims can suffer severe physical injuries from head-on collisions.
- Rear-end collisions: These often result from drivers failing to keep a safe distance from the car in front of them.
- Vehicle rollover accidents: These are most likely to occur in SUVs because of their high center of gravity.
- Sideswipe accidents: These occur when one car veers into another on the road.
- Merging accidents: They tend to happen when a driver fails to check their blind spot or match the speed of other cars on the road.
- Blindspot accidents: They may occur when a driver is changing lanes or merging into traffic.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Marquette?
If you are involved in a car accident in Marquette, you must act quickly, but you should also remain as calm as possible.
Call 911 and seek needed medical assistance for yourself and others
You should seek medical care for any injury, even if it seems minor to you. You might have a delayed injury that will worsen over time.
Report every single injury to medical personnel
You want to document every injury that might have resulted from the accident. You should insist that your doctor or emergency room staff records every symptom that you describe. You should let your doctor know about any new symptoms that arise in the days and weeks after the accident.
If you develop any of the following symptoms, you should be sure to let your doctor know:
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ear ringing, also known as tinnitus
- Changes in your emotional state
- Difficulties with concentration or short-term memory.
Exchange insurance information
Be sure to obtain insurance information from anyone else involved in the accident, and to share your information with the other drivers.
Take photos of the scene of the accident
Taking pictures of the scene at the time of the accident can document factors like weather, temperature, traffic, and road conditions or repairs.
Get a copy of the police report
The police officers who responded to the scene of the accident will prepare a report. You can request a copy once it is complete.
File a claim with your insurance company
Your insurance policy might have specific notice requirements and other fine print. You should have your lawyer review it to make sure you do everything by the book.
Never give a statement without a lawyer present
You might receive a request from an insurance company — yours or another driver’s — to provide a statement about the accident. You should never do this without your attorney present.
When Should I Call A Car Accident Lawyer?
Michigan is a “no-fault” state with regard to auto accidents. Car insurance providers are required to cover their own insured’s injuries and other damages in the event of an accident, no matter who was at fault. You still have to prove damages, though, and that is why you need an attorney as soon as possible to help you establish the full amount of damages to which you are entitled.
What Are the Different Types of Damage from a Car Accident?
You may be entitled to multiple types of damages as a result of your car accident claim:
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium, which compensates a spouse for the loss of companionship and intimacy
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death, in the event that a loved one died in the car crash
All of the above examples are known as “compensatory damages,” because their purpose is to compensate you for something that you lost due to the accident. The intent of “punitive damages” is to punish a defendant for particularly egregious conduct. Because of Michigan’s no-fault law, punitive damages are rare in auto accident cases.
What Should I Do About the Insurance Companies?
You must speak to your insurance company in order to get compensation for your injuries. You should never give a formal statement, however, without your attorney present. Your lawyer’s presence will help:
- Stop your insurance company from paying the bare minimum amount of coverage;
- Provide legal advice to help you avoid mistakes that could affect your recovery of damages; and
- Increase the amount you are likely to recover.
Call Our Experienced Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Steve and Jared Matz are experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyers serving Marquette, Michigan. We understand the pain that you are experiencing from your injuries. We will fight to obtain compensation for your car accident case while you focus on your recovery.
To request a free initial consultation, call us toll-free at 866-226-6833 or complete the online contact form today to speak with an experienced car accident attorney at Matz Injury Law firm today.
