Thousands of Michigan residents find themselves in devastating vehicle accidents every year. Some collisions are minor, while others can be catastrophic, especially if they involve giant commercial vehicles. Victims are left struggling with injuries and expensive bills, medical and otherwise. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. understands how quickly an accident on the road can change your life completely.
Vehicle accidents happen for a number of different reasons. Factors like distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, and the harsh weather conditions in Michigan can all lead to crashes. The unique Michigan no-fault insurance system makes these cases even more complex. As commercial vehicle accident attorneys, we navigate these challenges on a daily basis. Understanding your rights requires knowledge that most people don’t have.
We’ve represented clients who’ve been injured in all types of accidents in the state of Michigan. Car crashes, motorcycle collisions, truck accidents, bus incidents, and pedestrian injuries all present their own unique challenges. The physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents take is what motivates us to fight harder for every client who puts their trust in us.
Why You Need an Experienced Vehicle Accident Attorney
Insurance companies aren’t looking out for your best interests. In fact, they employ teams whose job it is to pay out as little as possible. Without proper representation from a personal injury lawyer, you’re fighting a battle against professionals who are trained to protect the company’s finances, not yours.
An experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney understands the tactics insurance companies use and how to counter them. We reject their unfair offers and push for the compensation you deserve. Besides dealing with insurers, we also investigate accidents thoroughly and gather evidence that proves liability and documents your damages. Time is of the essence in these cases. Evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses forget important details. Plus, legal deadlines pass quickly. Starting your case as soon as possible gives us the best chance to build a strong claim.
Understanding Michigan No-Fault Insurance
Many clients ask if Michigan is a no-fault state, and the answer is yes. Your own insurance pays certain damages regardless of who’s at fault. But don’t let the term “no-fault” fool you. Fault matters significantly, especially when it comes to serious injuries that exceed threshold requirements.
Under Michigan’s no-fault insurance law, your no-fault insurance coverage provides three main benefits, which are medical expenses, wage loss benefits up to 85% of your gross wages, and replacement services for household tasks you can’t perform. These benefits are helpful right now, but they often aren’t enough to cover all of your losses. Insurance companies frequently dispute claims, delay payments, or cut off benefits prematurely. Our no-fault insurance lawyer team fights these denials aggressively.
What to Do After a Vehicle Accident
First, check for injuries and call 911. Get medical attention even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, don’t show symptoms immediately. Document everything at the scene. Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Get witness contact information and exchange insurance details, but avoid discussing fault or making any apologies.
Make a report to your insurance company carefully. Stick to basic facts. Insurance adjusters record conversations, looking for any way to minimize claims. Having a commercial vehicle accident attorney to guide you through this process makes a crucial difference when it comes to protecting your rights.
How to File a No-Fault Claim in Michigan
Filing starts with notifying your insurer. This has to be done within one year of your accident, but the sooner you file, the better. Don’t put this off. File promptly so your benefits begin sooner. Complete the benefits application by detailing your accident, injuries, and the treatment you received.
Your Michigan no-fault insurance company must pay benefits within 30 days of receiving proper proof. If they don’t, or if they deny your claim unfairly, we help appeal denials and fight for your rights. Keep detailed records of all accident-related expenses. Medical bills, prescription receipts, mileage logs, and missed work documentation all matter. Being organized helps ensure you receive every dollar available under Michigan no-fault insurance laws.
Commercial Vehicle Accidents: Special Considerations
Commercial vehicle accidents involve multiple liable parties, including drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers. These cases require an experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney who understands federal regulations governing commercial vehicles. Commercial insurance policies have higher limits, but insurers fight harder to protect them.
Driver logs, maintenance records, inspection reports, and black box data provide crucial evidence. We obtain and analyze this information to build a compelling case for our clients. The severity of commercial vehicle accidents often results in catastrophic injuries that require aggressive representation to make sure you receive adequate compensation for your current and future needs.
When you’ve been hurt in a vehicle accident, you need attorneys who understand the complexities of Michigan no-fault insurance. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. is ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Don’t wait to seek legal assistance.
Our contingency structure means you pay nothing unless we win. Call us at 1-866-642-4529 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’re available around the clock because we know that accidents can happen any time, day or night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Michigan's no-fault insurance law?
Michigan no-fault insurance requires your insurer to pay medical expenses, lost wages, and replacement services regardless of who’s to blame in an accident. You can sue for pain and suffering if your injuries meet certain thresholds.
How do I file a no-fault insurance claim in Michigan?
Contact your insurance right away to request a benefits application. Fill out the form thoroughly and factually, avoiding anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault, and submit documentation. Your insurer has 30 days to start paying once they receive proper documentation.
What should I do if I’m involved in a vehicle accident in Michigan?
The first thing you should do is call 911 for injuries, even if you feel fine at the time. Then, take pictures to document the scene, exchange information with other drivers and any witnesses, seek medical attention, report the accident to your insurance company, and contact a commercial vehicle accident attorney before giving statements or accepting any settlements.
How can a commercial vehicle accident attorney help me?
We investigate thoroughly, identify liable parties, navigate federal regulations, negotiate with insurers, and fight for compensation that covers all your needs, including any care you may need in the future.
Is Michigan a no-fault state for vehicle accidents?
Yes, our state operates under Michigan no-fault insurance laws. Your insurance company pays certain benefits no matter who caused the accident, but you can pursue claims against at-fault drivers for serious injuries.
A young couple from Monroe, Michigan, was awarded a $15.8 million verdict as the result of their baby son, Jason, being inflicted with Cerebral Palsy as the result of an error during the final stages of a labor.
Result: $15.8 Million
$1 Million
Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death
Oakland County, Michigan
What Happened:
While in the hospital a mother of three was not properly treated for a closed-head injury causing her untimely death.
Result: $1 Million
$1.4 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Brain Injury
Livonia, Michigan
What Happened:
A Livonia pedestrian recovered $1.4 million when he was struck by a commercial van resulting in a traumatic brain injury in Redford, Michigan.
Result: $1.4 Million
$9 Million
Medical Malpractice / Misdiagnosis
Wayne County, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
Patient suffered cardiac arrest and brain damage when a hospital failed to recognize internal bleeding and treatment was delayed for more than 14 hours.
Result: $9 Million
$3.3 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Auto Accident
Tuscola County, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
A Tuscola County jury awarded $3.3 million to a severely brain injured motorist as the result of a defective Michigan highway.
Result: $3.3 Million
$1.25 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Construction Site Injury
Flint, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
A seventeen-year-old construction worker suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting from a fall in Flint, Michigan, and was awarded $1.25 million.
Result: $1.25 Million
$1.9 Million
Medical Malpractice
Wayne County, Michigan
What Happened:
Middle-aged woman suffered severe disfiguring facial burns from a simple surgical procedure.
Result: $1.9 Million
$3.8 Million
Medical Malpractice / Birth Trauma
Southern Michigan
What Happened:
Child developed cerebral palsy with developmental delays due to lack of oxygen and brain injury during labor and delivery.
A Westland construction worker recovered $1.5 million after sustaining a traumatic brain injury while on a construction site in Detroit, Michigan.
Result: $1.5 Million
$1.3 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Truck Accident
Marlette, Michigan
What Happened:
A Marlette, Michigan, family reached a $1.3 million settlement in the traffic death of their 5-year-old son when they were struck by a semi truck.
Result: $1.3 Million
$225,000
Medical Malpractice/Cancer Misdiagnosis
Redford, Michigan
What Happened:
The misdiagnosis of breast cancer resulted in a Redford, Michigan, woman recovering $225,000.
Result: $225,000
$125,000
Workers Compensation
Detroit, Michigan
What Happened:
A construction worker redeemed his worker’s compensation case for $125,000 in Detroit, Michigan.
Result: $125,000
$400,000
Accidents & Injuries/Auto Accident
Monroe, Michigan
What Happened:
A paraplegic woman from Monroe, Michigan, recovered Michigan no-fault benefits including the purchase of a new home and attendant care in excess of $400,000.
Result: $125,000
$2.2 Million
Medical Malpractice/Birth Injury
Brighton, Michigan; Detroit, Michigan
What Happened:
A Brighton family recovered $1.3 million and a Detroit family recovered $900,000 as the result of birth injuries and medical malpractice to their children.
Result: $2.2
$80,000
Accidents & Injuries/Auto Accident
Bay City, Michigan
What Happened:
A Bay City grandmother was awarded $80,000 following an auto accident resulting in a broken leg.
Result: $80,000
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