Car Accident Attorney in Clawson
The nature of a motor vehicle accident makes it a difficult and life-altering experience. Accident victims may need extensive medical treatment and time to recover from injuries like traumatic brain injuries and broken bones. Repair costs for property damage and medical bills can add up. Taking time off from work and losing wages can take a financial toll on you and your family.
If you sustain a severe injury in a car accident, you can obtain legal representation to help you gain maximum compensation. An auto accident attorney in Clawson at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., can file a compensation claim and deal with the insurance provider to seek a fair settlement for your injuries.
What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
A Michigan car accident lawyer labors on your behalf to resolve your auto accident claim while simultaneously working to maximize your claim’s value. The lawyer can assist you with filing your accident insurance claim within Michigan’s statute of limitations while you heal from your accident injuries.
A car accident attorney can also help you with the following:
- Review the applicable insurance coverage for injuries sustained from the accident
- Retrieve the police accident report from law enforcement
- Obtain and organize medical bills and records related to your accident
- Examine critical evidence, such as photos and videos of the accident scene and eyewitness testimony, to determine the degree of liability
- Communicate with your insurance company on your behalf if you experience a legal issue such as a denial of coverage
- Negotiate an accident settlement on your behalf with the auto insurance company
- Represent you in court if you need to file an accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver
- Maintain ongoing communication with you and respond anytime with questions you may have about the accident situation
Determining Negligence in a Car Accident Case
Your auto crash attorney must prove negligence in your case under these elements:
- The other driver owed a duty of care
- The other driver failed to perform their duty of care, and these actions caused your accident
- Your injuries and damages are directly related to the accident
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 9,487 people died due to reckless driving practices such as speeding in 2019. Your lawyer can review your case for evidence of recklessness involving the following factors:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving, including cell phone usage while driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failure to obey traffic signals and signs
Even if you believe you are not the negligent driver in the accident, you need a personal injury lawyer to review critical evidence from your accident and support you through the claims process.
What to Expect From a Car Accident Settlement
Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance laws provide for medical payments, wage-loss payments, and attendant care for up to 56 hours. As part of your no-fault insurance coverage, replacement services will cover everyday household tasks such as laundry and vacuuming for up to $20 per day.
Should your insurance claim fail to cover all the medical costs you incur after the accident, you may be entitled to excess compensation beyond your auto insurance policy limits. A personal injury lawyer can prove the cost of an accident with evidence such as medical expenses, loss of wages, auto repair bills, and pain and suffering.
You may also file a claim for bodily injury compensation. Your auto accident lawyer can inform you of the damages you may be able to recover from an automobile accident settlement. These damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What Factors Affect Michigan Car Accident Compensation
The amount of a car accident settlement varies case by case, based on several circumstances. Some factors that determine the value of this compensation are:
- The severity of your injuries includes nerve damage, broken bones, or facial injuries. The prolonged treatment of a permanent injury, such as traumatic brain injury, can also factor into compensation.
- Any scarring or disfigurement that requires surgery and extensive medical treatment
- Accident-related psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and resulting treatment such as counseling services
- Current and future medical attention and care costs for your injuries
- Your length of time away from work and whether you return to work once your injuries have healed
The percentage of liability for a car accident is an important issue in the settlement. Michigan uses comparative negligence in personal injury cases. If the court finds you partially responsible for causing the crash, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If the court finds that you are more than 50% responsible for the accident, you may not receive non-economic compensation.
Our senior partner and registered nurse, Eileen Kroll, has collective experience in the medical and legal fields. She can provide insight into your medical records and determine the percentage of liability as you navigate through the legal process. She can give you an estimate based on the details of your case and other settlements under similar circumstances.
Wrongful Death Claim After a Car Accident in Michigan
With a devastating loss such as a loved one dying in a car accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney to take legal action. Surviving dependents can collect damages in a wrongful claim, including:
- Medical, burial, and funeral costs
- The deceased person’s pain and suffering
- Loss of financial support that the deceased could have provided to their surviving dependents
- Intangible losses such as loss of companionship and society
Your attorney can explain your family’s rights and investigate the facts of the accident to determine the wrongful conduct resulting in the accident. The attorney might then file a lawsuit on your behalf seeking compensation for the loss of your loved one.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Michigan
After a car crash in Clawson, MI, you can contact the auto accident attorneys at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. Our legal team can help you file a claim and communicate with your insurance company. We can also support you and your family through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.