Shelby Township Personal Injury Lawyers

At Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC, we represent injured clients in multiple types of personal injury cases, including:

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

Do not hesitate to contact us if you were hurt in any type of accident caused by someone else. We can meet with you to discuss the circumstances and determine whether you have a case to pursue.

Personal injury cases involve various types of injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Some people require ongoing medical care, while others spend a couple of hours in the emergency room and don’t need additional treatment.

The most common injuries sustained in the cases we handle include:

• Paralysis
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding and organ failure
• Spinal cord injuries
• Burns
• Significant disfigurement or scarring
• Lacerations
• Repetitive motion injury
• Concussions and other head injuries
• Nerve damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Loss of limb
• Permanent disability

The consequences of an accident aren’t only physical. Emotional injuries often arise from a particularly traumatic experience. Anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and other psychological issues are common. Getting past the fear of accident-related circumstances, such as driving a car or using an elevator, might require treatment to learn how to cope with what happened.

Taking action immediately after an accident is essential, especially if you were injured and want to hold the at-fault party accountable. You should seek treatment after leaving the scene of the accident. You might think your injury doesn’t require medical intervention, but there might be an underlying problem only a doctor can diagnose.

Follow your physician’s recommendations if they order an X-ray, prescribe medications, or advise you to see a specialist. You should attend every scheduled appointment until you heal or your doctors release you from their care.

Insurance companies don’t want to pay large settlements. If they can find a valid reason to settle for an insignificant amount or deny your claim entirely, they will. Gaps in treatment provide the evidence an insurance adjuster needs to argue that your injury wasn’t severe. They might think you don’t require much compensation because of your lack of medical care.

Keep a copy of all documents you receive while treating your injury. Maintain every billing statement, physical therapy note, hospital report, and prescription. Medical records are one of the most beneficial types of evidence you can have in a personal injury case. You need proof that your injury occurred in the accident and isn’t from a preexisting condition.

Hiring one of the Shelby Township personal injury lawyers from Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC shortly after the incident is also necessary. We can investigate and file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf. You don’t have to worry about handling any aspect of your case when you hire us. We will take care of everything so you can focus on what’s important – healing and moving forward with your life.

Besides the steps you must take to improve your chance of reaching a favorable outcome in your case, there are things you shouldn’t do after an accident:

• Don’t admit fault – Apologizing to other parties involved in the incident or discussing how your actions might have contributed can only hurt your case. An insurance company can deny your claim if their policyholder isn’t liable. Admitting fault can also negatively affect the compensation you receive in a lawsuit.
• Don’t talk to the insurance adjuster – Insurance companies often contact accident victims to discuss what happened. They want additional information about the claim. They can use your words against you if you say the wrong thing. You aren’t legally obligated to speak with the adjuster. If they call, inform them that you hired a lawyer and give them our phone number.
• Don’t use social media – Many people share details of their lives on various social media platforms. Most people don’t realize that posting on social media can work against them. The insurance carrier or defense lawyer can use your posts as evidence against you. They could construe your posts to show you caused the accident or exaggerated the severity of your injury. Your best option is to avoid online activity altogether until your case ends.
• Don’t skip your appointments – Attending every scheduled appointment is essential. Missing one or two because of unforeseen circumstances or a last-minute work obligation is understandable. However, don’t make it a habit. Skipping appointments delays your recovery and can ruin your chance of securing full and fair compensation.

You can seek compensation for your injury in an insurance claim or lawsuit. The money you receive might cover your:

• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Hospital stays, ambulance services, physical therapy, and other medical expenses
• Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

If your loved one died in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, the personal representative of their estate could file a wrongful death lawsuit. The financial award might compensate for:

• Loss of the deceased’s care, companionship, and other intangible benefits
• Pain and suffering the deceased experienced
• Lost financial support the deceased would have contributed to the family if they were still alive
• Reasonable medical, hospital, burial, and funeral expenses

In Michigan, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases allows a three-year timeframe to file a lawsuit. That means you must initiate your lawsuit within three years of the accident date to seek compensation.

The statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits also allows a three-year filing timeframe. The personal representative has three years from the date of the accident victim’s death to file suit against the at-fault party.

Navigating the complicated process of a personal injury case can be confusing. You likely don’t know state laws or where to obtain vital evidence. Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC wants you to feel prepared for what’s ahead. Below, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions we receive to help you better understand the legal journey you face.

Can I seek compensation if I was partially at fault for the incident?

It depends. Modified comparative negligence allows the court to reduce a plaintiff’s award by the percentage of fault they share. If you have $100,000 in losses, but the jury determines you are 20 percent responsible for what happened, the most money you can receive is $80,000. However, if you were 51 percent or more at fault, your compensation for economic losses will be reduced by the percentage of your fault, but you will not be allowed compensation for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress.

How long does a personal injury case take?

The duration of your case will depend on multiple factors, including the severity of your injury, the amount of substantial evidence, and whether liability is apparent. An insurance claim can settle in a matter of a couple of months. It can take over a year if extensive treatment is necessary to heal your injuries. Some lawsuits take years to resolve, while others settle before trial.

Predicting how long someone’s case will take to resolve is impossible. However, the Shelby Township personal injury lawyers of Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC work efficiently to secure compensation as soon as possible for our clients.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer?

It depends on the law firm. Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC understands the financial implications of an accident. We don’t want to add to your burdens. That’s why we take cases on contingency. There are no upfront fees or costs required to retain our services. We will only collect our legal fees if we secure compensation for you.

Contact a Skilled and Trusted Shelby Township Personal Injury Lawyer Today

When you get hurt in an accident, the last thing you want to do is handle a personal injury case. You don’t have to go through this challenging ordeal alone. Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC will guide and support you through every step of the process. You will receive personalized attention from the moment you hire us.

If you were in an accident and sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence, call us at (586) 884-6562 now or contact us online for your free consultation.