What You Need To Know After A Car Accident In Michigan

In this article, you can discover…

• If Michigan’s no-fault insurance will cover all of your medical costs.
• What happens if the insurance company tries to blame you for your accident.
• How hiring an attorney can make all the difference in your case.

If I have Just Been In A Car Accident In Michigan, What Should I Do First To Protect My Health And My Case?

The first and most important thing you want to do if you have just been in a car accident is to prioritize your health. Car accidents can be chaotic, but your safety is priority number one. Check yourself for injuries, and if you have passengers, make sure they are okay, too.

Once safety has been established, you call 911. Police are essential because they will be able to document the scene with a police report and get the particulars of the incident, which will be very useful later when dealing with the insurance company.

If you are able, take photos of the accident scene – the damage to your vehicle, the damage to any other vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries you might have. These will also be useful when dealing with the insurance company or if you are seeking a claim.

Finally, you must seek medical attention after an accident. You might feel fine at the scene of an accident, but in reality, you might not be. A lot of people turn down the ambulance only to find themselves in the ER later that night or the next day.

Will Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Really Cover All My Costs, Or Could I Be Left Paying Out Of Pocket?

Generally, Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, typically covers your accident-related medical expenses, 85% of your lost wages for up to three years, and up to $20 a day for replacement services like help with household chores.

Attorney Paul Boucon is an experienced lawyer based in Michigan who has helped countless clients like you navigate the personal injury landscape after a car accident. With his determination and attention to detail, he is prepared to work diligently to ensure you understand your rights after an accident so you can get back on the road with confidence.

Still have questions? Ready to get started? Contact Vincent E. Carlson & Associates, PLC today to schedule an initial consultation.

In Michigan, everyone is required to carry PIP coverage, but the amount of coverage can vary depending on your plan. Some policies provide unlimited medical coverage, while others may cap it at $50,000 or another limit entirely.

The bottom line: whether or not you pay depends entirely on your policy, whether PIP will cover all your costs, or if you still might have to pay a portion out of pocket.

What If The Insurance Company Tries To Blame Me For The Accident—Can I Still Get Compensated?

If your own insurance company is blaming you for the accident, you will still be able to get your medical bills covered, lost wages, and other basic no-fault benefits handled.

When it comes to determining fault for property damage or a third-party claim, that is an entirely different story. That is where a police report becomes really valuable. It is not foolproof by any means, but if you get a police report, in many cases, the police officer will include a “hazardous action” in the report and assign it to one or both of the drivers.

In Michigan, we also have something called comparative negligence, meaning that more than one person can be found at fault to varying degrees. So it is possible that the other party’s insurance company or your own could argue that you were partially or fully at fault.

In those situations, it is helpful to have an experienced attorney who can help you litigate the issue.

How Can Hiring A Lawyer Actually Make A Difference In My Case?

Hiring an attorney makes a huge difference.

Insurance companies almost always try to lowball accident victims. If you are not represented by an experienced attorney, there is a very good chance you will not get the settlement or the full compensation you deserve. It sounds cliche, but it is true.

Attorney Paul Boucon is an experienced lawyer based in Michigan who has helped countless clients like you navigate the personal injury landscape after a car accident. With his determination and attention to detail, he is prepared to work diligently to ensure you understand your rights after an accident so you can get back on the road with confidence.

Still have questions? Ready to get started? Contact Vincent E. Carlson & Associates, PLC today to schedule an initial consultation.

If an insurance company knows you are unrepresented, they will often rush in with a quick settlement offer before you fully understand the scope of your injuries or what your case is actually worth. When you finally realize that something does not add up, it is too late.

One of the first things I do as an attorney is to make sure we do not settle too early. In Michigan, you have a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from car accidents. A lot of serious injuries take time for symptoms to manifest fully. It might be months or even a year or more before you fully understand how the accident has impacted your life. Settling too soon can leave you on the hook for future medical bills or lost wages.

For instance, let us say you have health insurance, and your auto policy lists your health insurance as the primary payer. If your health insurance covers some of your accident-related treatment, and then you settle a bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver, your health insurance provider could assert a subrogation claim to recover what they paid out. Most people do not know that.

These cases are more complex than they seem. If you want to give your case the best chance of success, you need to make sure you have the right attorney on your side.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on What to do after a car accident in Michigan, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (231) 726-4357 today.