You’ve been injured in a crash in Michigan, so what next? Many people expect their insurance provider to handle all aspects of the incident, including establishing fault and compensation.
Insurance coverage may cater for repairs to your car and offer some compensation for medical costs. But what about lost wages or the physical and emotional damage the accident caused? What if the injuries sustained were severe?
The solution lies in filing a case immediately after the accident to get full compensation. But first, you need to discuss a few things with your personal injury attorney.
Liability After The Accident
Establishing liability is key to any personal injury claim in Michigan. The law expects people to take responsibility for their actions. If someone fails in their duty of care and causes injury to others, that person may be held liable. To prove liability and duty of care, the following factors are considered:
- Who owed a duty of care?
- Who breached it?
- Did the violation cause injuries?
- The type of injuries sustained
In many cases, it’s easy to determine liability in car accident claims. However, if your case is complicated, you may need to work closely with your personal injury attorney Michigan to establish the at-fault party.
Cost of Attorney Services
Before selecting a personal injury attorney, discuss the legal fee for those services. Attorneys charge fees based on the type of case and the time it takes to conclude. The common forms of attorney fees include:
- The fee is fixed for a particular legal service
- Charging clients by the hour
- Contingency fee as a percentage of the amount compensated
The right lawyer will take the case on a contingency basis, which means their fee is pegged on a favorable outcome. That means you only pay them if they deliver a favorable recovery. However, there are some other costs associated with car accident injuries that you need to understand, including:
- Expert witness fees
- Court filing charges
- Filing fees
- Medical records
- Court reporter fees
- Costs of obtaining police and medical records
You may be required to pay for these costs regardless of the verdict. You need to find out your attorney’s policies regarding legal expenses.
Your Pain and Suffering
After a car crash, you may sustain serious injuries that require ongoing medical care. That’s why it’s important to discuss the physical and emotional anguish you endured as a result of the incident. Pain and suffering are often considered non-financial damages in car accident claims and can take the form of:
- Physical discomfort
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Poor quality of life
- Mental suffering
- Chronic pain
While filing a claim through your attorney, you must document these medical conditions that have contributed to your suffering. This paves the way for a compelling argument and subsequent compensation.
Insurance Coverage
If you have personal insurance coverage, you need to discuss how it can help you after a car accident with your attorney. Likewise, carrying personal injury protection insurance (PIP) in Michigan can help you cover costs related to the accident even if you’re not at fault. PIP can cover the following areas:
- Medical expenses such as doctor visits, surgeries, and hospitalizations
- Work loss reimbursement
- Replacement services, including housework, vacuuming, and laundry
- Attendant care or nursing services, including supervision, dressing, and toileting
Sometimes, car insurance claims are denied if the accident was avoidable or if you failed to file the case on time.
The Extent of Injury
When you file a personal injury claim, you need to discuss the details of the damages sustained from the accident with your attorney.
Your lawyer should examine any documentation, medical records, or bills related to your injuries and highlight the severity of the injuries sustained.
This analysis will significantly strengthen your case and contribute to a favorable outcome and rightful compensation for your loss.
Conclusion
Car accidents can cause severe injuries or permanent disability to the victim. Discussing matters related to the incident is key to pursuing fair compensation. There isn’t any wrong question to ask an attorney. You deserve a personal injury attorney who should address issues related to the extent of your injuries, insurance, and the at-fault party liability. Working together with your lawyer ensures that the case runs smoothly in expectation of a favorable outcome.
