If you or a loved one has experienced a car accident in Southfield, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and property damage.
It’s common for insurance companies to try to minimize your compensation, or even deny it altogether if they can. But you don’t have to navigate this alone. Let our team of experienced Southfield car accident lawyers help you seek justice. With our expertise, we can effectively stand up to insurance companies and secure the compensation you deserve.
At Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys, our Southfield car accident lawyers have extensive experience assisting individuals injured in auto accidents. We’re dedicated to helping you pursue the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact us today at 248-531-8665 to schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable and aggressive Southfield car accident lawyer.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Southfield, Michigan?
After a car accident, it’s crucial to take steps to protect your rights and ability to seek compensation:
- Call 911: Ensure emergency responders are on the scene.
- Collect Information: Gather contact and insurance details from other drivers and witnesses.
- Document the Scene: Take photos or videos, if safe, of the accident scene and any relevant details.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you decline at the scene, get a thorough medical exam soon after. This helps establish the link between your injuries and the accident.
- Avoid Admitting Fault: Refrain from making statements that could be used against you by insurance adjusters.
How Do I Prove a Car Accident Claim in Southfield, Mi?
In Southfield, Michigan, car accident claims typically hinge on the concept of negligence. To prove a claim, you must demonstrate:
- Duty of Care: The other driver owed you a duty to drive safely.
- Breach of Duty: They breached this duty by driving negligently or violating traffic laws.
- Causation: Their breach directly caused the accident and your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered compensable damages as a result.
- Even if you share some responsibility, you can still recover damages, which may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Benefits Of Hiring a Lawyer for Your Southfield Accident Claim
Enlisting the help of an experienced Southfield car accident lawyer can streamline the claims process and maximize your compensation. A lawyer:
- Investigates the accident thoroughly, gathering evidence and expert opinions.
- Negotiates with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement.
- Understands the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts.
- Can pursue your claim in court if needed, advocating aggressively on your behalf.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Southfield Car Crash Claim?
If you’ve been injured in a Southfield car accident, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
Economic damages: Covering specific financial losses like medical expenses and lost wages.
Non-economic damages: Addressing pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and other intangible impacts.
Additionally, compensation may extend to property damage, such as vehicle repairs or replacements.
How Is Fault Determined in a Car Accident?
In Michigan, a car accident victim may recover damages for pain and suffering due to the negligence of the at-fault driver(s).
Fault is one of the basic determinations of how an insurance company proceeds with and/or values a car accident case. It essentially determines who caused the accident, and consequently who is responsible for paying for damages.
Understanding Comparative Fault
Comparative fault is a legal theory that is used to determine how much an auto accident victim may have been comparatively at fault in causing the accident. This percent can be zero if the victim had no fault in the accident at all. Comparative fault law applies to non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Comparative fault law also applies to Mini Tort claims for recovery of vehicle damage repair.
If an auto accident victim is found to be comparatively at fault for causing an accident, then his or her damages will be reduced by the amount of his or her comparative fault. If a victim is found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, then he or she will be prohibited from recovering damages.
Evidence used to determine fault includes:
- Police reports
- Traffic citations or arrests
- Accident scene photos
- Vehicle damage reports
- Eyewitness statements
If It Wasn’t My Fault, What Should I Do Next?
Remain calm and follow the outlined steps to gather evidence. It’s crucial to enlist the support of an experienced car accident attorney in Southfield who can protect your rights and interests.
How Long After a Southfield Car Accident Can You Claim Injury?
In Michigan, there’s a statute of limitations for car accident claims. You typically have three years from the date of the accident to sue for pain and suffering compensation, excess medical benefits and excess economic loss. And you have one year to file a no-Fault Insurance claim. Its important to contact an attorney immediately after an accident to ensure that evidence and medical records are properly gathered, and insurance companies are contacted.
Most Common Injury Cases In Car Accidents
At Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys, we help clients recover compensation for various injuries resulting from car accidents, including:
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Joint damage
- Cuts, burns, and bruises.
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
- Anxiety, emotional distress, and PTSD
If you’ve suffered these or other injuries in a car accident, our Southfield accident attorneys are ready to advocate for you.
Talk To Our Southfield Car Accident Lawyers Now
Don’t delay seeking compensation for your auto accident ordeal. Contact Giroux Pappas today for a free consultation with one of our dedicated Southfield car accident attorneys.
Reach us at 248-531-8665 or visit GreatMIAttorneys.com.