Getting into a motor vehicle accident, especially a serious one, can change your life permanently and in an instant. Major car accidents can leave people with serious injuries and property damage. Insurance companies are reluctant to compensate you; they will go out of their way to pay as little as possible and even get out of paying altogether.
Matz Injury Law’s firm has experienced lawyers serving Portage car accident victims. We have helped recover fair compensation from insurance companies. No matter where you are driving in Michigan, you deserve a safe experience. Moreover, you are entitled to compensation when someone else’s reckless behavior results in serious and permanent injuries. Let our law office help with the legal representation you need.
Portage, Michigan Car Accident Statistics You Should Know
If you are a Portage resident, you are likely used to seeing news reports from our home county of Kalamazoo citing accidents on I-94. This intersection was named the deadliest road in Kalamazoo County in 2019, with eight fatal accidents in a two-year period between 2017 and 2019. Since 2005, the I-94/I-131 cloverleaf has seen seven fatal accidents. The entirety of Kalamazoo county saw six fatal accidents from snowy weather in 2017-2019 and 20 fatal accidents resulting from DUI.
How Do No-Fault Laws Work in Portage?
Michigan is a no-fault state for car insurance. No fault laws apply in Portage the same as other cities in Michigan. This means that you must carry insurance to cover your injuries and damages regardless of who was at fault for the accident. These laws apply only to auto accidents, not other injury claims under personal injury law, like medical malpractice.
This means that if you are involved in a crash, you file your initial injury claims with your insurance provider, who is supposed to pay for the damages.
While this is designed to protect you and help you get the personal injury claim started faster, the system is flawed. Insurance companies still look for ways to get out of paying claims, and car accident attorneys spend hours negotiating injury cases with no-fault carriers that exploit loopholes.
Can I Sue After an Automobile Accident in Portage, Michigan?
Yes, you can sue the other driver if they are at fault for the accident. The process begins when you report the claim to your insurance company. Then you should contact a personal injury lawyer with practice areas in auto accidents. The right injury lawyers serving Portage can help you to build a case and negotiate with bullying insurance companies to get the settlement and fair compensation you deserve. If you have been in a car crash, truck accident, or motorcycle accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Matz Injury Law at 866-226-6833 or through our online form for legal advice and a free consultation on your case.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Portage, Michigan Car Accident?
You can recover a wide range of damages after a car accident. These come in two varieties: economic damages (also called special damages) and non-economic damages (also called general damages).
Economic damages are easy to value. They include things like your medical bills, medication, procedures, and other medical expenses. Economic damages also cover your lost wages and the wages you may have earned in the future if you were not injured. In a wrongful death case where you lose a loved one, economic damages can include funeral and burial expenses.
Non-economic damages are more subjective and sometimes referred to as “pain and suffering.” Valuing these can require the services of injury lawyers serving Portage.
Can I Sue for Pain and Suffering?
You can sue for pain and suffering; it may form an essential part of your case. It is more difficult to value than economic damages, and your attorney at law will have methods to place a value on it. It includes things like the physical pain you experience, loss of consortium, loss of support and comfort, loss of your ability to enjoy life, emotional trauma, PTSD, mental anguish, embarrassment and humiliation, and all the “invisible” injuries you have suffered.
If you have suffered serious injuries in a car crash, let the injury lawyers serving Portage at Matz Injury Law help you to value the pain and suffering you experience. We have years of experience representing people like you and are listed among Michigan Super Lawyers for our excellence.
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How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After an Auto Accident in Portage, Michigan?
The deadline to file your injury claim is called a statute of limitations. In Michigan, this statute of limitations is three years from the date of the crash. If the case is a wrongful death case, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of death.
When Should I Hire Portage, Michigan Car Accident Lawyers?
It is never too soon to contact a car accident attorney. Time is of the essence. Not only do you have a statute of limitations to worry about, but evidence can also fade quickly, and building an iron-clad case is essential. Your lawyer can help you to avoid critical mistakes like making incriminating statements to insurance adjusters.
The first thing to do in a car accident is to call 911. Get first responders on the scene and file a police report. Collect evidence at the location. Take photos, draw diagrams, get witness contact information, and do anything else you can think to record. Next, call a lawyer right away. It could be the most important call you make.
Is It Worth Getting a Personal Injury Lawyer for a Motor Vehicle Accident?
Having a lawyer in your corner gives you the best chance at significant compensation for your injury. The insurance company – even yours – is not your friend. They might seem compassionate but make no mistake: they are looking for reasons to deny your claim. Your attorney can fight back, communicate and negotiate on your behalf, and stop the insurance company from using the law against you.
How Much Do Portage Car Accident Lawyers Cost?
There is no set amount for a car accident lawyer. At Matz Injury Law, we work on contingency, meaning the case review is free, and if we don’t win, you don’t pay any fees. Even better, we take only 22% rather than the standard 33% fee, which is why our slogan is “22, Not 33!”
Serving Car Accident Victims in Portage, Michigan for Decades
Portage is a great city with beautiful places like Al Sabo Land Preserve, Milham Park, Austin Lake, and the Kalamazoo River. People here deserve to have fun with their families, and they deserve safe roadways. Matz Injury Law serves Portage, Schoolcraft, Koning, Grand Rapids, Jilek, Battle Creek, Sterling Heights, and more. We have represented many people just like you. At our firm, we believe in giving our clients individualized attention because we genuinely care about your recovery. Call our injury lawyers serving Portage at 866-226-6833 or use our online contact form for a case review today.
