Where To Find An Injury Lawyer In Southfield, MI?

Personal injury lawyers specialize in tort law. They help victims of accidents caused by another party’s negligence or malicious intent recover compensation for the physical, financial, and emotional losses incurred due to their injuries. Some specific tasks they do in the pursuit of a personal injury claim include:

• Conducting a thorough investigation into your case to collect evidence supporting your negligence claim and identify recoverable damages to add to your settlement’s value
• Handling all conversations and negotiations with the insurance companies, who are often combative about making a large payout
• Talking to eyewitnesses and relevant experts who can help back your claim
• Gathering all the evidence needed to support economic and non-economic damages
• Providing professional expertise to protect your rights and adequately value your claim
• Representing you during depositions and compiling a list of questions to ask the defendant during the discovery phase
• Drafting your demand letter to present to the defendant

Beyond their professional duties, personal injury attorneys often become a source of compassion for accident victims going through a tough time. They understand the struggles you face and can offer help and advice you likely would not have access to without a legal representative. There is peace of mind in knowing an objective professional is on your side.

Any incident in which someone suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to someone else’s actions could fall under the umbrella of civil tort law. However, there are some personal injury cases more common than others. For example, injury lawyers often handle:

• Auto accidents. These represent more than half of all personal injury claims. Auto accidents can involve single and multiple-car crashes, commercial trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, buses, boats, trains, and grossly negligent human errors, such as drunk driving.
• Premises liability accidents. The most common type of premises liability is slip and fall cases. The legal concept that governs these claims states that a property owner is responsible for maintaining a reasonably safe space for anyone with direct or indirect consent to enter their property.
• Dog bite accidents. Dog attacks are typically straightforward because most states apply the concept of strict liability, which holds the dog owner fully responsible for their dog’s actions, even if the owner did everything possible to prevent and stop the attack.
• Medical malpractice. These cases are often challenging and virtually always require the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. Healthcare professionals, including doctors, aides, nurses, pharmacists, and nursing home assistants, are responsible for abiding by industry standards and providing the best possible care for patients.
• Product liability. If a consumer suffers an injury resulting from a defective product, they could sue the manufacturer or distributor for the losses incurred. Like medical malpractice, product liability cases can be challenging to prove, but a personal injury lawyer can help you build your case and battle large corporations.
• Wrongful death. Any accident resulting in a personal injury that causes death is potentially a wrongful death case. Most states allow immediate family members or representatives of the victim’s estate to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party.

Sometimes the defendants in personal injury cases face civil and criminal court for their actions. For example, you can file a claim against someone who assaulted you at the same time that they face criminal charges. Additionally, some personal injury cases do not involve bodily harm. For example, defamation is a form of personal injury for which you could sue for damage to your reputation, business, and even mental health.

The term “compensatory damages” legally applies to any losses sustained following a personal injury. They can be economic or non-economic and will vary significantly from case to case based on various factors, including the severity of the accident and your injuries. In specific situations, the court may also award you punitive damages, but that depends on the nature of the defendant’s actions.

Compensatory Damages

The goal of awarding compensatory damages is to make whole what was lost to you due to the accident and your injuries. Unfortunately, no monetary amount could replace a loved one killed in an accident or remedy a permanent disability. Still, financial compensation can, at minimum, alleviate some of the burdens an accident can cause. Examples of compensatory damages include:

• Expenses related to your medical treatments, including emergency services, hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, surgery, therapies, and necessary medical devices, such as wheelchairs or oxygen tanks
• The income lost from missed work, lost promotions, or the inability to perform the same job you had before the accident
• Damage to your property, which is commonly substantial in auto accident cases
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship or consortium in a wrongful death case
• Loss of the ability to enjoy your life
• Depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder

All damages with objective monetary value, such as medical bills and lost wages, are economic damages. Others, such as pain and suffering, are non-economic damages. Identifying and valuing the damages in your case is a significant benefit of hiring a personal injury attorney.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages do not compensate for any loss. Instead, the court may decide that the defendant should pay beyond your losses as a punishment and deterrent for their behavior. That behavior must constitute gross negligence or malintent. For example, if a drunk driver struck your vehicle, causing severe injuries and property damage, you may have a case for punitive damages. However, it is rare in auto accident cases. In lawsuits involving product liability, punitive damages may be more likely, particularly if multiple plaintiffs exist. Additionally, some states may cap the amount in punitive damages you can receive based on certain factors, such as the defendant’s economic status.

There is no risk in contacting a personal injury lawyer for a consultation. They often charge no upfront fees and will listen to the details of your case and help you determine the best course of action to get the compensation you need and start rebuilding your life after a devastating accident. At Mike Morse Law Firm, we have collected over a billion dollars in compensation for victims of personal injury from cases involving auto accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, construction accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death. When you hire our firm to handle your case, you have over 40 experienced Michigan legal professionals prepared to dedicate their time to it. We even keep our caseloads low, so our clients never feel neglected. Contact Mike Morse Law Firm at (855) 738-2606 today to schedule your free case evaluation. Our only priority is to provide you with diligent representation and compassionate understanding.