Why Do You Need To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A significant number of individuals are involved in accidents caused by the negligent actions of another party every year in the U.S. Accident victims often require hospitalization, and, quite possibly, critical care depending on the extent of their injuries. They may also need rehabilitation for months or years to come.
The days and weeks after an accident can be confusing and frustrating, especially if you don’t know what to do next. You could face ongoing health problems or permanent disability. Getting a legal consultation about your case is crucial, so you know how to proceed and that your rights are protected. Mike Morse Law Firm is ready to take action, so you get the fair compensation you deserve. These are the reasons you need a personal injury lawyer to represent you.
Knows the Legal Process
An experienced attorney understands how personal injury insurance claims and lawsuits work. After an initial evaluation, a lawyer quickly determines if you have a case. Whether working with an insurance company to reach a settlement or making your case in court, knowledge of the personal injury process saves valuable time. Many personal injury cases involve serious accidents. These are some types of accident cases a personal injury lawyer handles:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2.7 million injuries and illnesses that were occupation-related in 2020. Because there are so many different types of personal injury cases, your attorney must have the knowledge and skills to manage the many maneuvers that occur with insurance companies and other legal teams.
A lot of research and preparation goes into developing a case presentation if it reaches court. Personal injury lawsuits may require expert testimony or accident reconstruction to support the facts of the event. Having an attorney in your corner can make all the difference to the outcome of your case.
Works With Insurance Companies
Most personal injury cases are settled before a trial occurs. A practiced lawyer knows how to hold at-fault parties accountable for their negligent actions. Insurance companies throw everything against the wall to see if they can make something stick to avoid paying you a fair settlement. These tactics matter since Michigan is a comparative fault state, and your damage award is affected by your responsibility for your injuries.
After an accident, it is best to consult an attorney right away. Speaking with an insurance representative may spell trouble for your ability to recover damages. It is also important not to post information about your accident on social media or other public forums. Insurance companies won’t hesitate to use any information available to shift the blame toward you.
Knows How Michigan Fault Rules Apply
Fault is a big determinant in how your personal injury case proceeds. In Michigan, several important laws apply to accident cases that you need to know.
Michigan No-Fault Car Insurance
Michigan is a no-fault insurance state, meaning you must purchase this coverage to drive a car. These policies provide personal injury protection. PIP covers all reasonable medical expenses with no limits if the treatment is deemed necessary. If you cannot work due to your injuries, PIP pays up to 85% of the wages you would have earned for up to three years. There is also coverage for replacement services if you can’t manage activities of daily life because of your injuries. While many essential items are covered by no-fault insurance, you are entitled to non-economic damages if your claim meets these criteria:
- Serious impairment of body function
- Permanent serious disfigurement
While these are the primary areas of tort liability under Michigan law, the court can decide whether other injuries meet the criteria for non-economic loss recovery. A personal injury attorney helps you file a lawsuit for non-economic damages if the seriousness of your injury is a qualifying event.
Michigan Modified Comparative Fault
Another important law related to Michigan personal injury cases is comparative fault. It is essential to prove who is at fault in an accident before a damage recovery is possible. There may be multiple parties who bear responsibility, including you. If you are partially at fault for your injuries, you are not precluded from recovering damages, as long as you are not more than 51% liable. An individual who is more than 51% responsible for an accident cannot recover damages.
This is an example of how damages are distributed under modified comparative fault. Let’s say the total amount of damages is $100,000. The other party is 90% at fault and you are 10% at fault, so the percentage of fault assigned means the other party is responsible for $90,000 of the damages while you are responsible for $10,000. The issue of fault determination is a critical aspect of the damage recovery process and is subject to many complexities. You need an attorney who makes sure that fault is apportioned fairly, so you get the help you need to heal and move forward with your life.
Handles Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
A devasting outcome of many accidents is traumatic brain injury. As many as 1.7 million TBIs occur in the U.S. each year. Unfortunately, even minor brain injury cases can cause lifelong health concerns for many accident victims. TBI can impair all of these and other critical body functions:
- Cognition
- Memory
- Behavior
- Mood
- Muscle control
- Vision
- Speech
TBIs are often so devastating that Michigan law governing tort liability emphasizes the need for a legal determination for non-economic loss in cases where a medical expert testifies that serious closed-head neurological injury has occurred.
It is imperative to hire a law firm that knows how to work with you on these sorts of personal injuries. We handle traumatic brain injury cases with the compassion and diligence necessary to help you through this challenging and frequently life-altering situation.
Takes Your Case on a Contingency-Fee Basis
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis. They don’t get paid until a case is settled or won. We understand how traumatic and overwhelming the outcome of an accident can be and what it takes to get your life back on track. Unfortunately, you may not be able to return to your previous life in the same capacity.
When you are hurt, unable to work, and have the pressure of mounting expenses, an attorney fights to help you recover for your losses. This is a lifesaver when you need legal remedy but can’t afford to worry about upfront fees.
Hire a Lawyer Who Knows Personal Injury Law
Mike Morse Law Firm is the team you need when you suffer a personal injury due to another party’s negligent actions. Our attorneys have the experience, knowledge and compassion to help you through an enormously difficult time. Michigan has a statute of limitations that allows you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, it is best to start the legal process immediately, so your attorney can collect the evidence needed to support your case.
You never want to take an initial settlement offer from an insurance company when you don’t know the extent of your injuries or losses. Talk with an attorney who can tell you how to proceed and ensure your rights are protected. We’re here to help, and there are no fees unless we win. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
Sources:
https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/difs/Publication/Auto/FIS-PUB_0202.pdf
Content checked by Mike Morse, personal injury attorney with Mike Morse Injury Law Firm. Mike Morse is the founder of Mike Morse Law Firm, the largest personal injury law firm in Michigan. Since being founded in 1995, Mike Morse Law Firm has grown to over 250 employees, served 100,000 clients, and collected more than $2 billion for victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. The main office is in Southfield, MI but you can also find us in Detroit, Sterling Heights and many other locations.
