Warren is home to nearly 140,000 people, making it the third-largest city in Michigan. Car accidents happen every day in the Warren area. If you find yourself involved injured in a car accident, you need to take action to get fair compensation for your damages and losses.
An insurance company will often take immediate action to start investing your car accident claim. That means that you should contact a Warren car accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. Matz Injury Law has served thousands of Warren car accident victims across the state of Michigan recover fair compensation for their injuries. Our team has recovered over $300 million for accident victims. Call 866-226-6833 to set up a free consultation.
What You Need to Know About Warren, Michigan Car Accidents
In 2019, a study analyzed the deadliest roads in Michigan. I-94 was named the deadliest road in Macomb County. Two percent of all fatal accidents on the road in Michigan happened on I-94. There were ten fatal accidents from 2017 to 2019 on I-94.
Another study indicated that of all accidents that occurred in Macomb County, 61% occurred on local roads. A local road is any road that is not an interstate or highway. It includes the county’s residential and commercial areas, with the most heavily populated area being Warren.
Lastly, Interstate 696 is another hotspot for accidents. This interstate runs through Warren, MI, a vital way to get in and out of the Detroit area. Unfortunately, as drivers rush through Warren, they are sometimes careless, leading to auto and truck accidents.
Do No-Fault Laws Apply in Warren, MI?
The answer is yes because Michigan is a no-fault state. These laws are designed to make it easier for motor vehicle accident victims to get compensation after a crash. Each driver is required to have insurance covering their own injuries and damages arising from an accident. This coverage applies regardless of who is at fault in the accident.
The coverage you receive from your insurance company will only apply up to the limits of your insurance coverage. There are required state minimums, but there are situations where you might not have enough insurance to cover all of your injuries and damages completely.
In those cases, you may need to turn to the at-fault driver for compensation for your injuries. Their insurance might provide additional money to help you address damages and injuries caused by the accident.
What is the Process for Suing Someone After a Car Accident in Warren, Michigan?
Even though Michigan is a no-fault state, there are situations where you might need to sue a driver who caused your injuries and damages. First, however, you need to report the accident to your insurance company. This general rule applies no matter what type of collision you are dealing with—truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, or car crashes.
What Does My Insurance Cover After an Accident?
Your insurance coverage should provide “personal injury protection” or “PIP” coverage. PIP coverage will pay all reasonable and necessary medical bills for your whole life, up to the maximum amount of your coverage. It will also cover wage loss and replacement services for up to three years after the accident occurs.
There is one PIP coverage option that does not offer medical care. It has a lower deductible, but the coverage is substantially less. Review your insurance policy to learn about specific information for your type of coverage.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Warren, Michigan Car Accident?
The damages you can receive after a car accident should address virtually any loss you have suffered. Money cannot meaningfully resolve some of your injuries, like your pain and suffering or mental anguish. Still, it is the only compensation method available for collisions under Michigan law.
Every car accident case is different, but the general categories of damages available are essentially the same. These categories apply across several areas of personal injury law, from dog bites to slip and fall cases to car accidents that lead to brain injury. You might be able to recover the following damages after an accident.
- Reimbursement for medical expenses, including general medical bills, emergency services, rehabilitation, and physical therapy
- Lost wages, including both past and future income
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and suffering
- Household services you are no longer able to complete (including paying for attendant care)
- Reduced earning capacity in the future because of loss of function
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scars and disfigurement
- Lifestyle modifications, such as changing your home or vehicle to adjust to physical limitations
Talking with a Warren auto accident lawyer about your specific situation will help you determine what money damages might be available to you and your loved ones after an auto accident. Getting tailored legal advice is the best way to learn about your legal options.
Can I Sue for Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering damages are supposed to compensate a car accident victim for the physical pain they experienced because of a car accident. It covers not only the pain you experienced during the crash but also after the accident. It can even address the suffering expected for years to come due to the accident.
Michigan law provides that car accident victims can sue for damages related to pain and suffering. They include damages that are expected over a person’s lifetime. Because there is no “pain and suffering calculator,” a Michigan jury has to estimate a dollar value for pain and suffering at trial.
Pain and suffering damages vary a great deal because they are specific to each case. They will often increase based on the severity of the injuries and the accident. Pain and suffering damages also increase if the pain the car accident victim experienced is expected to continue for years or even the rest of their life.
The legal professionals at Matz Injury Law can help you determine what damages might be available for your pain and suffering. We use our extensive experience to predict what a jury might award for a car accident victim in Warren, MI based on your unique situation.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Warren, Michigan?
Every personal injury case has a statute of limitations. This period sets out the amount of time you have to assert your legal claim. If you miss this deadline, that often means that you will miss your opportunity to recover any damages or injuries from an at-fault driver.
In Michigan, you have three years from the date of an auto accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. While three years may seem like a long time, you must start the process by getting money from your own insurance first. Then, if your insurance does not cover everything, you turn to the at-fault driver for additional compensation. This whole process can take a long time, and starting early is ideal. A car accident lawyer can help you work through this process and ensure that you meet all of your vital deadlines.
The statute of limitations for personal injuries is the same as wrongful death cases. Property damage claims must also be asserted in the same three-year timeframe.
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When Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Warren, Michigan?
Time is of the essence. Involving a lawyer sooner than later will often lead to better results in your Michigan car accident case.
Insurance companies start their investigation right away, and they encourage you to give statements and information without consulting an attorney first. However, this practice is often a mistake — you might end up saying or doing something that hurts your case down the road if you try to start your claim on your own.
When you are at the scene of an accident, you need to call 911 to get medical attention right away. Even if you do not seem to be seriously injured, it is still a good idea to get everyone involved the medical care they require. Something that might seem minor at the time may develop into a severe injury.
Collecting evidence at the scene of the accident is also a good idea. Photos of the cars involved, the damage, and the area where the accident happened can all be helpful. You might also want to get the names and contact details of any nearby witnesses. Then, call a car accident attorney as soon as you can after the accident so you can get the recovery process started.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer?
An experienced attorney offers you a buffer between you and the insurance company. A good lawyer will act as your advocate throughout the claim process and as part of any lawsuit that you have to file. Having a personal injury lawyer will save you time and often get you more money out of your lawsuit.
How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Take from Settlement in Warren, Michigan?
Most car accident attorneys will ask that you promise them one-third (33%) of your settlement. However, Matz Injury Law only takes a contingent fee of 22% rather than the normal 33%. We take no fee if there is no recovery. Our fee structure puts more cash in your pocket that you can use to address your damages.
Do Not Let Insurance Companies Take Advantage of You
Steve and Jared with Matz Injury Law are experienced personal injury attorneys who serve Warren, Michigan car accident victims. They have years of experience handling cases similar to yours in Warren, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Grand Rapids, Royal Oak, Troy, and several other areas. Our legal team has won numerous awards for our work on behalf of personal injury victims across several practice areas. Learn more about our success stories here.
Let our experience and knowledge work for you — and do not let an insurance company take advantage of you or your situation. Contact our law firm to set up a free consultation by calling 866-226-6833 or using our online contact form.
