Car Accident Attorney in Ferndale
Managing a slew of legal issues due to a car crash can seem overwhelming if you or a loved one is involved in an auto accident near Ferndale, Michigan. Medical bills, time off work, and negotiations with the insurance company can affect your mental health as you recover from the incident.
It can be challenging to handle your own car accident case, especially if the damage is extensive and the injuries are life-altering. Insurance adjusters are trained in tactics to pay you as little as possible or even deny your claim outright, so you need a qualified and experienced car accident lawyer on your side to help protect your rights and maximize your compensation.
Contact a Ferndale Michigan car accident lawyer with experience dealing with insurance companies. At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., our car accident lawyers can identify the cause of the accident, determine who was at fault and calculate the full extent of your losses.
Types of Accidents
Car accidents occur every day on Michigan roads. While some only result in dings, dents, and scratched paint, others can have severe consequences for the people involved. In some cases, people can be seriously hurt or suffer fatal injuries.
While no two car crashes are ever the same, the most common types of car accidents in Ferndale include:
Rollover crash
A rollover occurs when a vehicle collides with an object, like a guardrail or uneven pavement, and tips over. This can also happen when a car rolls over when turning quickly while speeding. A car can roll over in a two-vehicle collision when one car hits the other on its side.
Head-on collision
This type of car accident typically occurs when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide head-on. It can happen in a truck accident, a motorcycle accident, or a car accident.
Drugged driving accident
Driving under the influence of drugs can be equally as deadly as drunk driving. Using drugs while driving can significantly reduce a driver’s reaction time. It can also alter the driver’s vision, cause drowsiness and fatigue, in addition to altering their ability to make sound decisions on the roadways.
Single-car crash
A motor vehicle that collides with a stationary object, such as a tree, light pole, or cement barrier, can qualify as a single-car crash. Single-car collisions can also happen when a driver collides with animals, fallen objects, and debris on the road.
Multi-vehicle crash
A multi-vehicle crash can happen on a highway, in the middle of an intersection, or at any other location where two or more vehicles come into contact. Multi-vehicle crashes can also be caused by hazardous road conditions such as potholes or when one driver strikes another from behind.
Motorcycle crash
Motorcycle collisions with other motor vehicles can occur for a wide range of reasons, from distracted driving to impaired driving. Drivers may fail to see motorcycles or miscalculate their speed and distance, resulting in potentially fatal crashes.
Medical treatment and property damage costs can add up quickly after an accident. You may experience pain and suffering as a result of your injuries. If a driver dies as a result of their injuries, their family may want to pursue a wrongful death claim.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process of obtaining compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
Steps to Take After a Serious Motor Vehicle Accident
The vehicles in an accident don’t need to be seriously damaged or totaled for the people involved to be seriously injured. Many people sustain catastrophic injuries in even minor collisions if there is enough force to cause trauma.
After a severe car accident, you should take immediate action to help strengthen your insurance claim. You may have to focus on getting medical help in the crash’s immediate aftermath. If you are able, you can take steps to protect your health and legal rights.
Call the police
Following an accident, call 911 and request that police come to the scene. Cooperate with them and tell them your account of what happened as they investigate the accident. Get a copy of the accident report if one exists for the incident.
Gather information from everyone involved in the accident
Collect the names and contact information of all the other parties, including their insurance providers. When writing down this information, make sure not to leave out any relevant details such as vehicle registration numbers and license plate numbers.
Having information about all the vehicles in the accident can also help identify at-fault parties later on.
Document everything about the crash
An experienced personal injury attorney will ask for all the details about your crash and what led up to it. Take photos and videos of the actual accident scene, including damage to your vehicle, injuries, and debris.
Seek medical attention
Your health should be your priority after an accident. This is true even if you have minor injuries such as bruises and lacerations. Some severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, may not be immediately apparent after an accident. A doctor can document your injuries, which can help you with your insurance claim.
Talk to witnesses
If there were witnesses to the accident, note their names and contact information. Your lawyer can reach out to them to interview and record their accounts of the accident.
Contact a car accident attorney
It is important to speak with an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer who can help protect your rights. The sooner you can tell your story, the better chance your Ferndale auto accident lawyer has of building a strong case on your behalf.
When you work with a Michigan car accident lawyer, they can answer your questions about Michigan’s no-fault insurance law and how to file an insurance claim. If necessary, your lawyer can collect evidence and represent your case in court.
Your car accident lawyer can help determine who is at fault for the accident, such as the other driver, a government entity due to poor road conditions, the manufacturer due to a design error, or a maintenance company due to an improper repair that resulted in a mechanical issue.
Our senior partner and registered nurse, Eileen Kroll, can examine your medical records and help establish your case. She can connect your injuries to the accident to show how the accident affected your mental and physical well-being.
Don’t speak with the insurance company
The insurance company may reach out to you to offer an initial accident settlement that may not cover all the medical bills and losses you suffered from the accident. Insurance companies like to offer a lump-sum settlement early in cases before the victim has secured legal counsel so they can make a claim go away cheaply and quickly.
Don’t sign anything an insurance company sends until you consult with your personal injury attorney. You may accidentally say something that could be taken out of context and used against you later if the insurance company denies a claim or if there is a lawsuit over the accident.
Consult a Michigan Auto Accident Attorney for Legal Advice
When someone else’s negligence causes a serious accident, you should explore your legal options. A Michigan car accident lawyer from Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can assist you with receiving compensation for financial damages.
Our record of success includes securing a $3.3 million verdict to a severely brain-injured motorist due to a defective Michigan highway.
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.