Southfield Car Accident FAQs
SHOULD I HIRE AN ATTORNEY AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s never too early to consult with an attorney regarding your case. When dealing with insurance companies as a car accident victim, it’s important to remember that these companies are motivated to pay the least amount possible for every accident claim in the interest of saving themselves money. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to bring settlement offers that are significantly lower than what the case is worth, and an experienced car accident attorney can negotiate a higher settlement offer.
If the extent of your injuries goes beyond the limits of your personal injury protection coverage, consult with a reputable attorney like our team at Kajy Law who can help you determine if you qualify for additional compensation and what your case is worth.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HIRE A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY?
When you hire one of our experienced Southfield car accident lawyers, you don’t pay unless we win your case. The money that will pay your attorney fees will come from your settlement, known as a contingency fee arrangement. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
WHO PAYS FOR DAMAGES TO MY CAR?
This is paid by your own insurance if you have collision or comprehensive coverage. If you have a deductible, or your car was not insured, you can currently get up to $3000.00, in something called a mini-tort claim from the at-fault driver (typically paid for by their insurance).
HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO FILE A CAR ACCIDENT LAWSUIT?
The statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit in Michigan for bodily injury/pain and suffering is three years. After three years, if you have not filed, you forfeit your right to file a lawsuit at all. Children have until their 19th birthday to file a lawsuit, even if the accident took place when they were young children. Michigan’s state of limitations to file a claim with your own insurance company for No- Fault personal injury protection benefits is one year.
HOW MUCH IS COMPENSATION FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING AND HOW IS IT DETERMINED?
When you sue the at- fault driver of an accident for pain and suffering, known as non-economic damages, there is no limit on the non-economic damage amount you can pursue, but oftentimes your settlement amount is dependent on the insurance policy limits of the at- fault driver. Compensation for pain and suffering is determined on a case-by-case basis but are separate from your no- fault insurance benefits. At Kajy Law, we’ll make sure your compensated fully and fairly for both economic and non-economic damages related to your car accident.
HOW IS A SETTLEMENT DETERMINED FOR MY INJURIES IN A CAR ACCIDENT CLAIM?
There are several factors that determine the settlement amount for an individual injured in a car accident including the degree of negligence of the at-fault driver, your degree of negligence, the severity of the injuries, what type of medical treatment was involved and to what extent, and how the injuries have affected your ability to live a normal life. Our experienced team of car accident attorneys at Kajy Law will evaluate your case and pursue the maximum possible settlement.
AM I ENTITLED TO GET PAID FOR LOST WAGES AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?
In most cases yes. Under Michigan’s No- Fault insurance laws, reimbursement for lost wages is included in your Personal Injury Protection benefits if you have been injured in a car accident. To recover lost wages, you must file a claim with your auto insurance company within one year of the accident, provide proper medical documentation, and submit wage verification forms.
Lost wage benefits provide up to 85% of your pay and can be accessed for up to three years following an accident. If your injuries exceed any of the limits of your personal injury protection benefits, then you may have grounds for a lawsuit to recover additional compensation.
WHO PAYS MY MEDICAL BILLS AND TREATMENT EXPENSES?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and are properly insured, then your No- Fault personal injury protection benefits will cover the cost of your medical bills including hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitative care, home care, and accessibility needs. Typically, these are paid through your auto insurance company or through the Michigan Assigned Claims Facility. In order to access these benefits, you must file a claim with your auto insurance company and provide the proper medical documentation.
CAN AN INJURED PASSENGER FILE AN INJURY CLAIM?
Yes. A passenger injured in a car accident can file a claim with their own auto insurance company for No- Fault personal injury protection benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages. Additionally, if a passenger’s injuries exceed the limits of their No- Fault policy and the insurance companies, they may seek additional compensation by filing a lawsuit against the at- fault driver, which could include the driver of the vehicle they were riding in. This can also apply to individual’s injured in a car accident while using Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services.
WHAT QUALIFIES FOR A CAR ACCIDENT LAWSUIT?
There are several factors that help determine whether an individual’s injuries qualify them for a car accident lawsuit in Michigan, including the severity of the injuries, the treatment and length of treatment, and how your injuries have impacted your life.
Call Kajy Law to set up a free consultation and case review today. Our team of experienced Southfield car accident lawyers will evaluate your case and answer any questions you might have.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT?
If you or a loved one have been injured in a hit and run accident, first, seek medical attention for your injuries, file a police report, and call your auto insurance company to apply for No-Fault personal injury protection benefits, as you would with any other accident. Having this documentation will also help if you pursue a lawsuit.
It is advised that you also seek legal representation as soon as possible following a hit-and-run accident. An experienced car accident lawyer can investigate your case to identify the at-fault party and pursue additional compensation beyond what is covered by your No-Fault insurance policy in a timely manner, as the various laws surrounding accident claims often have strict filing deadlines.
If the other driver is not located or is uninsured, you can file an uninsured motorist claim to receive benefits.
WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT?
Immediate family members of the victim of a fatal car accident have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at- fault negligent driver to recover financial and emotional damages. An immediate family member may receive financial compensation for medical expenses that exceed insurance limits, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of financial support that their loved one provided. They may also receive compensation for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and the loss of companionship.
Our dedicated Southfield car accident lawyers at Kajy Law truly cares. If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, call Kajy Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE OTHER DRIVER WAS UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED?
While it is illegal in Michigan to drive a vehicle without No-Fault auto insurance which includes Personal Injury Protection, Bodily Injury, and Property Damage coverage, some drivers may unfortunately break this law and drive uninsured or underinsured. If you are injured in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, your No-Fault insurance policy will typically cover your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damages, regardless of who is at fault. If you have an uninsured or underinsured motorist provision on your policy, you may still be able to seek bodily injury/pain and suffering as well.
SHOULD I ACCEPT THE INSURANCE COMPANY’S OFFER?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and filed a claim with your insurance company for No-Fault personal injury protection benefits, you should know that insurance companies are motivated by their own interests and bottom lines and may present a settlement offer that’s significantly lower than what your case is worth to save themselves money.
Oftentimes, insurance companies will pressure individuals into signing settlement offers before they’ve had a chance to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer, and on average, accident victims who have consulted with an attorney receive higher dollar settlement amounts than those who don’t.
WHAT TYPES OF EVIDENCE COULD PROVE A CAR ACCIDENT CASE?
Some common types of evidence are witness statements, medical documentation, police and accident reports, photo evidence, and your own testimony. An experienced car accident attorney can help you identify any type of evidence which helps to prove your case.
CALL KAJY LAW TODAY
If you’ve been injured in a Southfield car accident, call 877-Kajy-Cares or fill out our contact form to set up a free consultation with our team at Kajy Law today.
CONTACT US FOR HELP TODAY!
Call 248-702-6641 or fill out the form below.