Putting the pieces back together after you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else can feel impossible, but taking action is the first step on the road to recovery. If you’re dealing with a car accident injury, you need experienced legal help to pursue the compensation you deserve.
At Oak Law, we know how devastating Royal Oak car accidents are. We can handle your case for you so you don’t have to do anything but heal. We’ll take on the worry of meeting deadlines, negotiating with insurers, and obtaining the money you deserve. Call us today at (248) 716-8800 or contact us online for your free case evaluation.
Common Types of Car Accidents in Michigan
Understanding the different types of car accidents can provide insight into their causes and potential legal implications. Common types of car accidents include:
- Head-on Collisions – These are among the most dangerous types of accidents. They happen when the fronts of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide.
- Rear-End Collisions – These accidents occur most frequently at intersections as cars slow down. When drivers misjudge their braking distance and fail to stop entirely before hitting the back of another vehicle, painful injuries can result.
- Side-Impact Collisions – These collisions are best known as ‘T-Bone’ accidents due to the shape formed when one car slams into the side of another vehicle. They frequently occur at intersections and can result in severe injuries due to the limited occupant protection on the sides of a car.
- Rollover Accidents – Rollovers are more likely to result in severe injuries and fatalities than other car accidents because the vehicle flips over onto its side or roof in a collision.
Frequent Causes of Car Accidents
Several factors frequently contribute to car accidents, including:
- Impaired Driving – Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can delay reaction time, impair judgment, and result in potentially fatal car accidents.
- Distracted Driving – Phone usage, adjusting a GPS or radio dial, and glancing at roadside distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road for only a few seconds, which is all it takes to cause an accident.
- Reckless Driving – Aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, changing lanes without signaling, and running red lights, contribute to accidents and endanger other drivers.
- Speeding – Driving at high speeds can cause forceful collisions and worsen potential injuries in a car accident due to the increased force on impact.
- Mechanical Failures – Vehicle malfunctions, like brake failure or tire blowouts, can cause drivers to lose control of their cars, potentially causing an accident.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accident injuries can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity from minor to life-threatening. Typical car accident injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can result from a violent blow to the head or the head striking an object inside the vehicle. Symptoms of TBIs can range from mild, such as headaches and dizziness, to severe symptoms, such as cognitive impairment and memory loss.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries – Herniated discs and spinal fractures are common in car accidents, often resulting in significant pain and mobility issues. Severe injuries to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, usually requiring long-term medical care.
- Whiplash – Whiplash is one of the most common injuries resulting from rear-end collisions. It occurs when a sudden jolt causes the head to snap forward and backward, causing strain and damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the neck. Symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
- Broken Bones – Fractures can occur in any bone in the body during a car accident. Crashes often result in broken arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones. These injuries often require immobilization, surgery, and extensive physical therapy, potentially affecting your ability to return to work.
- Chest Injuries – Blunt force trauma to the chest can cause broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and internal injuries to organs such as the heart and diaphragm. Seat belts and airbags, while lifesaving, can also contribute to chest injuries in a high-impact collision.
- Burns – Car accidents can lead to thermal burns from fires or chemical burns from exposure to hazardous substances. These injuries can cause severe pain and disfigurement and require extensive medical treatment, including surgery and skin grafts.
- Facial Injuries – Lacerations, facial fractures, and dental injuries can occur when the face strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag. These injuries can cause significant disfigurement and may require reconstructive surgery.
What to Do After a Car Accident
The immediate aftermath of a car accident can be disorienting, leaving you wondering what to do next. After a car accident, you should:
- Seek Medical Attention – Even if you feel okay, seek immediate medical care to identify potential injuries before they worsen. Keep copies of your medical records and receipts.
- Document the Scene – If possible, take photos and videos of the accident site to document the crash’s immediate aftermath, including the involved vehicles, the road and its surroundings, visible damage, and any injuries.
- Report the Accident – Report the car accident to law enforcement, mainly if it results in an injury, death, or over $1,000 worth of property damage, meeting Michigan law car accident reporting requirements.
- Exchange Contact Information – Be sure to provide and receive critical contact information from other drivers, including names, addresses, phone numbers, vehicle information, and driver’s license numbers.
- Maintain Records – Keep all accident-related documentation, including copies of medical records, accident reports, receipts for accident-related expenses, and communication with insurance companies.
- Call a Lawyer – A car accident lawyer can protect your legal rights and handle your claim while you focus on healing. They can handle all communications with involved parties, including insurance companies.
What Compensation Can You Seek After a Michigan Car Accident?
Michigan is a no-fault car accident state. That means you will turn to your own insurance company and your personal injury protection (PIP) policy first for payment of your medical expenses up to your policy limit and partial wage replacement for up to three years after the accident.
If your injuries result in a serious impairment of body function, you might be entitled to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s auto insurer. In that case, you might obtain compensation for:
- Medical Expenses – This encompasses all injury-related costs, including hospital or ER stays, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription medications, assistive aids or devices, and occupational or physical therapy.
- Lost Wages – If your injury prevents you from working, you can pursue compensation to cover missed income, including benefits or bonuses.
- Loss of Future Earning Potential – If your injury significantly impairs your ability to continue working, you can seek compensation for your projected lifetime career earnings.
- Pain and Suffering – The loss is the intangible physical pain and emotional distress you endured because of your injuries.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life – If you can no longer engage in previously enjoyed activities or hobbies because of your injuries, this is a compensable loss.
The Role of a Car Accident Attorney in a Car Accident Claim
You may want to handle a car accident claim by yourself, but the process can be challenging to deal with while healing from an injury. A car accident lawyer can relieve this burden by:
- Investigating the Accident – Your attorney can investigate the accident and its circumstances to determine fault and liability.
- Gathering Evidence – Your lawyer can collect critical evidence like police reports, eyewitness statements, and black box data from involved vehicles to support your claim.
- Assessing Value – Your attorney can evaluate your losses and determine the compensation you need to cover them, considering the potential long-term impact of your injuries.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies – Your lawyer can file a claim and begin settlement negotiations with insurers to pursue the compensation you deserve.
- Trying Your Case – If negotiations with insurance companies fail, your attorney can take your case to court. Sometimes, pursuing a favorable verdict through litigation can promote a fair settlement with insurers before the case reaches the courtroom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents
Our clients come to us with questions about the claim process. We’ve answered some of them for you here.
How long do I have to file a claim?
You have three years from the accident date to file your Michigan car accident lawsuit. You must file before the deadline to avoid missing your opportunity to seek compensation for your losses in court.
Should I accept the first settlement offer from my insurance company?
You should thoroughly review and evaluate every offer from your insurance company. An insurer’s first settlement offer is usually a lowball offer and may not be enough to cover your losses entirely. An experienced car accident lawyer can handle negotiations with insurers and offer crucial settlement guidance.
Contact a Michigan Car Accident Attorney
If you’re injured in a car accident, you need legal help to handle your concerns and worries. At Oak Law, we help clients reclaim their lives by handling their claims, allowing them to focus on their health and recovery. Trust us to be your advocate during this distressing time, fighting relentlessly for what you need. Get started today. Call us at (248) 716-8800.
