Yes. If you are injured in an auto accident and are seeking full compensation for your injuries, then suing the at fault driver is one way to do so.

Step 1: Seek medical attention right away
Injuries are not always what they seem, however, if a serious injury is left undiagnosed it can lead to chronic, critical, and even fatal health conditions overtime.

Step 2: Keep track of and log everything
It is crucial to notate every detail that might be used as evidence to support your claim in court. One of the biggest pieces of evidence is your doctor visits:
• Any trips to the doctor’s office or emergency room visits
• Any out of pocket expenses accrued
• Any assigned treatments or medications provided

Step 3: Notify your insurance company
Once an accident occurs, it is always a good idea to contact your insurance company and update them on the accident. The best way to prepare and protect yourself is to establish a thorough report with the following:

• Specific details such as the date, time, location, and weather of when the accident occurred
• Pictures of the surrounding area, the automobiles involved in the accident, and different angles for a clearer perspective.
Additionally, you should never communicate with the opposing party’s insurance company or sign any documents without first seeking representation for yourself.

Step 4: Seek Representation
Auto accidents can negatively impact a person’s future. That’s why the attorneys at Michigan Injury Law Group are here for you 24/7 to fight for your rights. You deserve a firm that will go the extra mile for you.

Michigan car accident lawyers are trained professionals who help guide individuals through the red tapes associated with legal protocol when tough situations arise. For example, before an individual can qualify for coverage from an insurance company, there are certain guidelines, timelines, and deadlines that must be met, filed and approved of before a claim can take effect. By not following required protocol or missing mandatory deadlines, individuals risk losing future settlement offers. A car accident lawyer not only points clients in the right direction, but also ensures that they get the best results possible.

Today, with so many different types of auto accidents occurring per year, it’s hard to classify an injury as “common”. However, over the years, some injuries simply occur more than others. This includes:

• Back & Disc Injury- One of the toughest injuries to diagnose and treat are back injuries. The backbone is made up of 33 bones and tissue that extend from the skull to the pelvis. These bones protect the spinal cord. The spinal column is made up of 24 vertebrae. An injury to one of the vertebrae can lead to excruciating pain sometimes to the point where it is impossible to carry out daily activities, work, and even enjoy a good night’s rest. Examples of spinal injuries include strains, sprains, spasms, bulging, herniated, ruptured or slipped vertebral discs, vertebral fractures, spinal cord injuries, and nerve damage. Certain disk injuries can impact nerve roots or the spinal cord, causing weakness, numbness, problems with bowels, bladder, sexual function or sharp pain in the arms or legs. Treatment can be very costly and require a lot of time away from work leaving an individual financially strained.

• Internal Organs- The long-term effects associated with internal organs injuries can be dangerous because many times there are no obvious signs of the injury following an accident. It is not uncommon for an internal organ injury to appear days, weeks, or even months after an accident. Examples of internal organ injuries include:

Blunt Force Trauma Injuries: Caused by the body suffering from the impact of a collision, such as a car accident or Slip & Fall.

Deceleration Trauma Injuries: Caused by impact injuries suffered from motor vehicles that come to a sudden stop. Generally, these stops can lead organs to shift violently inside the body, ripping blood vessels, and causing internal bleeding.

Penetrating Trauma Injuries: Caused by an object tearing through the body in an accident.

• Traumatic Brain Injury- TBI is an injury that requires close attention. When head injuries lead to brain damage, it can result in abnormal conditions like seizures, severe headaches, extreme dizziness, decreased concentration, poor memory function, anxiety, and depression. TBI is most commonly caused by accidents involving side-impact.

• Whiplash – This is one of the most common of injuries caused by auto accidents. Whether an individual is involved in a head on collision, hit and run, fender bender, or other type of accident they should be checked for whiplash. As a person accelerates forward and is forced to make a sudden stop, the head can lag behind, and then snap forward and backward like a whip causing muscles and other ligaments to stretch and tear. Whiplash can lead to neck, back, and shoulder pain, sudden weakness, dizziness, fatigue, visual disturbances, and even ringing in the ears.

If you’ve ever witnessed a motorcycle accident, then you know it can be traumatizing. In Michigan, motorcycles are not considered motor vehicles, therefore motorcyclists are unable to purchase or benefit from the no-fault policy. However, motorcyclists can and are required to purchase the bodily injury coverage, which protects them against liability from bodily injury and property damage. In other words, the motorcyclist must have experienced a serious impairment, disfigurement, or death.

If an individual is injured on a motorcycle, just like our auto accident policy, we will not charge you a single dime until after your case has been settled. The anguish experienced by a serious injury can be burdensome, and our goal is to help alleviate that pain. Therefore, the initial services we provide are free and compensation will not be discussed until after a settlement has been offered and accepted.

Under Michigan Law, majority of lawsuits seeking compensation from defendants are considered plausible if negligence was the primary cause of the injuries suffered by the plaintiff. Keep in mind, before you can recover under this claim, you must have suffered a serious injury, body impairment, disfigurement, or death.

Negligence is determined by:

• Duty – Was the vehicle operated in a reasonably safe manner to avoid injury to others?

• Breach of Duty – Would the individual’s actions constitute a breach of their duty? (Impaired driving, distracted driving, fatigued driving, failing to obey traffic laws and signals, etc.)

• Causation - Was the individual’s breach of duty a direct cause of the injury?

• Damages - Does the plaintiff's injuries qualify as damages that can be compensated?

*If the individual is more than 50 percent at fault, they will not be allowed to recover for pain and suffering.

Motorcycle accidents can be the deadliest and hard to watch accidents on Michigan roads. While many motorcyclists practice unsafe habits of performing stunts and riding at unsafe speeds, there still remains a significant number of motorcycle accidents that occur due to negligent drivers who fail to give motorcyclists the same courtesy and respect they would give to other vehicles.
Under Michigan Law, motorcyclists can qualify for No-Fault benefits. To qualify, you must be involved in a collision with a “motor vehicle,” such as a car or truck (as defined by Michigan’s No Fault Act) your No Fault benefits will be paid according to the priority of the list below:

• Insurer of owner or registrant of the motor vehicle involved in the accident

• Insurer of the driver of the motor vehicle involved in the accident

• Motorcycle Insurer of the driver of the motorcycle involved in the accident

• Motorcycle Insurer of the owner or registrant of the motorcycle involved in the accident

• • Michigan Assigned Claims Facility

If you have questions or wish to speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer directly, please call us for a free case evaluation

As one of Michigan’s most respected lawyers, attorney Rahul Mumen understands the challenges associated with motorcycle accidents. It’s a gray area because motorcycles are not defined as “motor vehicles”, and for that very reason motorcyclists are not required to purchase no-fault insurance. Fortunately, if motorcycle injury is caused as a result of a car, truck or other comparable “motor vehicle” accident, then the motorcycle driver can still qualify for no-fault benefits. Attorney Mumen can walk you through the options available according to Michigan Law.

Michigan is a “No-Fault” state, meaning that both parties involved in an auto accident are entitled to valuable economic benefits from their insurance companies, no matter who caused the crash.

Michigan No Fault Benefits:

If you live in the state of Michigan, then you know just how important vehicles are for everyday living. Unfortunately, accidents happen and the best way to prepare for the future is by planning ahead. Take a moment to consult with professionals who deal with these types of matters every day. At Michigan Injury Law, we walk you through the entire process. From completing the written application to submitting the claim to the correct insurance company within the allotted timeframe. These steps may sound simple, but many people have had their benefits denied for lack of understanding. Don’t rely on your own judgement for these matters. The legal professionals of Michigan Injury Law Group are here to help you.

Medical Expenses

The cost of a serious injury can be expensive. Insurance deductibles, hospital bills, rehabilitation services, therapy sessions, prescription medications, the list goes on. In Michigan, if you or a loved one have been involved in an auto accident, you may be eligible to receive lifetime medical benefits that help with your recovery. It is important to note that not all expenses are deemed coverable or “eligible” such as certain experimental drugs and treatments. However, if your injury resulted in paralysis, then additional assistance such as wheelchair transfers and attendant care may also be available.

Wage Loss

One of the greatest benefits of working is having the ability to save for your future. Regrettably, sometimes life can take a turn for the worse. You hear these stories every day! A pedestrian was hospitalized after a hit and run, two teens were killed while texting and driving, a drunk driver drove off a cliff injuring the passengers on board. These situations have become common. In the state of Michigan, if you were hurt as the result of an automobile accident and are unable to work then you may qualify for benefits that would compensate for your lost wages. These benefits can last up to three years following the accident and cover most of your gross wages lost.

Replacement Services

If you are injured in an auto accident and your lifestyle changes or becomes limited due to the injuries inflicted, you may be eligible under Michigan’s No Fault Law for Replacement Services Benefits. For example, if you are unable to cook, clean, babysit, or perform your usual household duties (and as a result hire someone to assist you), you can receive payment to cover the expenses for those activities performed by the third party. These services can be performed by a hired individual or a family member. Unlike many insurance companies who will deny payment if services are performed by a family member, under Michigan No Fault Law Replacement Benefits does cover family members hired and they are entitled to perform these duties.

Attendant Care Services

Similar to the Replacement Services Benefits, Attendant Care is a similar No Fault Benefit that provides victims who were injured in an accident with nursing care coverage while they are at home recovering. The difference between Replacement Services and Attendant Care is the type of assistance being provided. Replacement Services benefits cover household chores and duties whereas Attendant Care covers your individual day-to-day living needs and safety. This can include supervision, bathing, using the restroom, dressing, grooming, driving, and other similar needs needs. Attendant Care can be performed by nurses or family members. Should you require home health care, you are entitled to purchase those services from a commercial home health company and your insurance company will be required to pay for those bills.

Mileage Reimbursement

Under Michigan Law, individuals involved in auto accidents are entitled to reimbursement from insurance companies for any transportation expenses related to obtaining the necessary medical treatment for the care as related to the injury.

Death/Survivor Loss

As we all know, accidents can lead to the death of a love one. This can be tough especially if it was a close friend or family member. Under the Death/Survivor Loss section of The Michigan No-Fault Law, it guarantees that dependents of a Michigan resident are entitled to benefits when a loved one dies as the result of an automobile accident. It doesn’t matter if they were driving, being chauffeured, walking as a pedestrian, or scooting on a scooter. A no-fault policy includes all family members living in the same household. Don’t wait for an insurance company to deny you your rights. Contact the Michigan Injury Law Group today. We’ll fight for you.

Pursuing Compensation from a Negligent Driver

In the state of Michigan, if an individual sues for noneconomic damages in a motor vehicle negligence case, the plaintiff must establish several key elements of evidence, including:
• The defendant's duty of care
• The defendant's breach of duty
• The actual (or proximate) causation
• The actual damages

In some cases, the plaintiff may be held partially responsible for the accident. Nonetheless, the plaintiff may still be entitled to recover economic damages as a result of the defendant’s degree of fault. Additionally, the Plaintiff may also recover noneconomic damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault.

Why doesn’t the negligent driver’s insurance company have to pay my medical bills?

Under Michigan’s No-Fault Law, victims injured in an auto accident are required to contact their individual auto insurance company first. If you suffer from injuries and as a result receive treatment, then you are entitled to have those medical bills paid for by the auto insurance company. The treatment must be injury-specific and have been caused by the auto accident. This is also referred to as Medical No Fault Benefits.

Michigan is a “No-Fault” state, meaning that both parties involved in an auto accident are entitled to valuable economic benefits from their insurance companies, no matter who caused the crash. To apply for benefits, you must:
1. File an Application for Benefits with your auto insurance company (*the application must be filed within one year after the car accident).
2. Provide the time, place and nature of the injury
3. Indicate specific personal injuries to auto insurance company (neck, back, shoulder, etc.)
4. Review regularly for changes or misdiagnosis

Coordinated benefits can be a little tricky. If you elect to have your medical benefits coordinated, you essentially agree to submit all your medical expenses to your health insurance provider prior to the auto insurance company. In situations where the costs are not covered, then and only then will the auto insurance company cover the costs.

While some injuries can last longer than others, there are no limits as to how long Michigan Attendant Care Benefits can be paid. In necessary, doctors can prescribe daily attendant care, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, for victims who have been seriously injured in auto accident. Attendant care can be a lifetime benefit, if needed.

Home might be where the heart is, but after a car accident some people are left in critical conditions leaving them unable to move about in their own homes. In Michigan, when this type of injury occurs, individuals may be entitled to home modification benefits which include adjustments to the victim’s home as needed to best accommodate the victim’s injuries. This Benefit is paid for by the auto insurance company.
Home modifications might include:
• Wheel Chair Ramps
• Stair Lifts
• Customized Bathrooms (Toilets, Showers and Sinks)
• Broader/ Wider Doorways

Van purchases, Van modifications and Attendant Care Transportation

Depending on the severity of an auto accident, if an individual is injured requiring wheelchair assistance, they may also be entitled to the full purchase price of a replacement van from their auto insurance company. Contact us for more details.

In Michigan, if you can’t work because you were injured in an auto accident, you may be eligible to receive up to 85 percent of the gross wages lost due to the accident. However, your injuries must be a direct result of the auto accident. Also, keep in mind this benefit has a maximum of three years before it expires regardless of the type of injury.

What about promotions and raises I may have missed? Can I still qualify to get them with Michigan wage loss benefits?

Benefits and promotions are usually not affected. If for any reason you believe or know that you were up for a raise or company promotion, you should still be eligible. Contact us for further details.

Is there a limit to how much I can receive with wage loss benefits?

When it comes to wage loss benefits, it is important to keep in mind that the insurance companies can and will set limits as to what is deemed necessary, what is required, and what you are entitled to receive according to Michigan Law.

What if my personal injuries require an extended time away from work?

Under certain circumstances, if your injury requires extended time away from work, extensions may be available. If an extension is required due to the severity of the injury or because of financial constrain, and assuming the victim has surpassed the three-year deadline, you may be eligible to apply for a third party claim for additional compensation.

As long as you can prove that you were employed during the time of the accident, you can qualify.