An accident can have a catastrophic effect on an individual and his or her loved ones. But if you have been injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation, known as damages, under Michigan personal injury laws. The process of getting money for your accident isn’t always fast or easy, but a Detroit personal injury lawyer can guide you and help ensure you receive the money you deserve.
Personal Injury Basics
You can sue another person, company or government agency if you’ve been hurt in an accident where another party is at least partially to blame.
In most cases, you have three years from the date of your injury or accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan court. In some instances, that timeframe may be shortened to as little as 120 days from the date of your accident. Because it takes time to prepare and file a lawsuit, it’s critical that you hire a Detroit personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
Types of Damages in Michigan Personal Injury Lawsuits
People injured in accidents where another person, a company or a government agency is to blame can receive damages to pay for their accident-related expenses. Damages can compensate you for:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Other medical expenses, including the cost of transportation to medical appointments, parking, prescription drugs and medical devices
- The cost of repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed property, including your clothing, automobile or even your home
- Lost wages while recuperating from your injuries
You may also be entitled to what are known as non-economic damages. These include things like pain and suffering, which can be more difficult to quantify. Michigan personal injury laws caps non-economy damages in medical malpractice and product liability cases. In most situations the cap is set at $280,000, although it increases to $500,000 if the victim died or suffered catastrophic disability.
Michigan’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Rule
If you’ve been the victim of a car crash, it’s important to realize that special rules apply. Michigan has no-fault automobile insurance. That means if you’re involved in an automobile accident, your insurance policy will compensate you for your injuries and property losses — regardless of who was at fault in the accident. In the case of an automobile accident that results in a death, serious disfigurement or serious impairment of a bodily function, then you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. Your Michigan personal injury lawyer can review the specifics of your situation and determine whether you have a case against the responsible party.
