Eastpointe Personal Injury Lawyers

Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC handles a range of personal injury cases, including:

• Boating accidents
• Work injuries
• Third-party claims
• No-fault claims
• Wrongful death
• Motorcycle accidents
• Premises liability accidents
• Dog bites
• Auto accidents

You should consult an Eastpointe personal injury lawyer from our firm if your injury stems from any situation someone else caused. We can review the circumstances and advise you about the available options for recovering compensation.

Injuries range from minor to life-threatening in personal injury accidents. Slipping on a wet floor at a restaurant can lead to a sprained ankle, or a mild concussion can result from a fender bender. More severe accidents can lead to debilitating injuries requiring months of treatment to manage symptoms and rehabilitate.

The most common injuries in personal injury cases include:

• Organ failure
• Broken bones
• Repetitive motion injury
• Burns
• Paralysis
• Loss of limb
• Traumatic brain injury and other head injuries
• Physical or mental disability
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Nerve damage

Psychological or emotional trauma is also common after an accident. Traumatic events often lead to phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and other mental illnesses. Coping with what happened is challenging. You might need therapy to overcome your distress and fear of the situation that led to your injury.

If someone else was at fault for the accident that injured you, you must take specific actions. Holding them liable for your injury requires building a solid case against them. The insurance company will likely deny your claim if you don’t gather the necessary evidence or seek treatment.

Go to the hospital or see your doctor immediately after you leave the accident scene. You should undergo an examination to diagnose your injury and determine the type of treatment you need. If the physician recommends follow-up care, listen to their instructions.

Attend every appointment regularly until you heal or your medical providers release you from their care. Stopping too soon or skipping your appointments not only interferes with your recovery but can also affect the outcome of your case.

Ensure you have proper documentation of every aspect of the incident. Maintain copies of your hospital records, prescriptions, doctor bills, and other documents related to the case. They can provide valuable evidence to prove your injury is from the accident instead of a preexisting condition.

You should also hire an Eastpointe personal injury lawyer from Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC. Handling your case alone can lead to a negative result. You might make mistakes or miss an important deadline that could prevent you from recovering the compensation you deserve. You need someone with experience to complete every step for you so you can focus on getting better.

Avoiding certain actions is as essential as being proactive after an accident. You should avoid these mistakes accident victims often make:

• Talking to the insurance company – The insurance adjuster will likely contact you to discuss your claim. Although you might think the adjuster is on your side, their goal is to avoid liability and save money for the insurance company by settling for as little money as possible. They can use your words against you if you say the wrong thing. Let your lawyer communicate with the insurer on your behalf.
• Admitting fault – You should never admit fault after an accident. You might think you did something to contribute to what happened, but don’t let the insurance company know you think so. You may be wrong. If you’re partially to blame for your injury, a jury could reduce your financial award based on your percentage of shared fault.
• Skipping doctor’s appointments – Insurance companies often look at gaps in treatment as evidence of a non-serious or non-existent injury. You should attend appointments according to your doctor’s orders, whether once a week, twice a week, or every other week. The insurance adjuster can and will offer a low settlement if it appears your injury doesn’t require substantial medical care.
• Posting about the accident online – You won’t benefit from discussing the incident on social media. Your posts can become evidence the insurance carrier or a defense attorney can use against you. Frequent online activity might indicate you’re more concerned with your online presence than with your recovery.

If someone else causes an accident and you get hurt, you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover compensation for your:

• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Ambulance services, physical therapy, medical devices, and other medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality or enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress
• Damage to personal property, such as a vehicle in a car crash

The personal representative of the deceased’s estate could file a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one died in an accident due to someone else’s negligence. Surviving family, such as a spouse, child, or parent, can recover compensation for:

• Lost financial support, the deceased can no longer contribute to the family
• Reasonable funeral, hospital, burial, and medical expenses
• Loss of the deceased’s companionship, care, and other intangible benefits
• Pain and suffering the deceased endured

In Michigan, the statute of limitations allows a three-year timeframe to file a personal injury lawsuit. That means you have three years from the accident date to initiate your lawsuit against the at-fault party.

The statute of limitations in a wrongful death case also allows a three-year timeframe to file suit. That means the personal representative of the deceased’s estate must file suit within three years of the accident victim’s death to pursue compensation.

At Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC, we understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate the complicated legal process. Handling insurance claims and lawsuits is more complex than it might seem. You likely have questions about your case and what to expect. Below are answers to the most commonly asked questions to help you prepare.

What happens if I’m partly at fault for the accident?

In Michigan, modified comparative negligence allows the court to reduce a plaintiff’s compensation by their percentage of fault. That means you might receive less money than you need to compensate for your medical bills and other costs.

For example, let’s say you were in a car accident, resulting in $100,000 in losses. However, the court determines you are 20 percent liable for your injury. They can diminish your financial award by your percentage of fault, leaving you with a maximum of $80,000 in compensation. If the judge or jury were to find you 51 percent or more at fault, you would be unable to obtain compensation for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Will my case go to trial?

It depends on the circumstances of your case. Many personal injury cases settle before trial. You might resolve the matter during the insurance claim or mediation during the lawsuit. Proceeding to trial might be necessary if the insurance company unfairly denies your claim or the defense attorney refuses to negotiate a settlement.

When should I hire a personal injury lawyer?

You should hire a personal injury lawyer from Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC as soon as possible. Seeking legal representation immediately after an accident can increase your chance of getting a favorable outcome in your case.

We can begin preparing your case by investigating the incident and gathering evidence while you treat your injury. Filing a claim promptly is critical to avoid missing deadlines if pursuing a lawsuit becomes necessary in the future.

Injured in an Accident? Contact Us Now

The last thing you want to do when you’re injured and in pain is deal with confusing paperwork, an intimidating insurance company, and strict deadlines. Your only responsibility should be to seek medical care and get your life back on track. Don’t waste your time with a lawyer who only cares about making money. You need a legal team who cares about you, will treat you compassionately, and will meet your needs.

Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC provides the dependable legal services of a large firm while maintaining the personal attention and availability of a small firm. We will protect your rights and fight by your side for the justice you deserve.

If you sustained injuries in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, call (586) 776-1700 or reach out to us online for a free consultation today. We are ready to put our skills and experience to work for you.