Car Accident Lawyers in Traverse City

Fighting Car Accident Victims in Michigan

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injuries in the United States, as 6 million car accidents occur every year, injuring more than 3 million. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 2 million drivers in car accidents experience permanent injuries each year. 

The more serious the injuries, the more it can cost to treat them, and the more income you lose by missing work. If your injuries were caused by another driver’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to pay more than you already have for your pain and suffering.

 At Miller | Embury PLLC, our Northern & Western Michigan car accident attorneys are committed to helping our clients heal by recovering damages. With more than 45 years of legal experience and millions recovered, our team can be trusted to help you file your personal injury claim.

Call our Traverse City car accident lawyer today to reach our responsive team at (888) 224-1239, or contact us online.

Common Types of Car Accidents

Many types of car accidents can occur based on the type of vehicle being driven, geographic location, time of day, and more, and they all can cause injuries ranging from minor, including cuts and abrasions, sprains and fractures, and whiplash, to more serious, such as broken bones, burns, spinal cord and neck injuries, brain and head trauma, and death.

Common types of car accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions: This accident occurs when a vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it, and can happen typically due to distracted driving, as the driver may have reacted slowly and braked too late.
• Side-impact collisions: Also known as T-bone collisions, these accidents commonly occur at intersections and in parking lots, and happen when the side of a vehicle is hit.
• Vehicle rollovers: These accidents occur when a vehicle rolls over onto its side or roof, and can cause catastrophic injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 85% of all rollover-related fatalities are the result of single-vehicle crashes.
• Head-on collisions: These crashes occur when vehicles heading in opposite directions collide with one another in the front, often producing fatalities.
• Single car accidents: These accidents involve only one vehicle, and can happen after colliding with animals or other obstacles.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

The majority of car accidents are caused by human error, and just because you drive carefully doesn’t mean that other drivers on the road are following suit.

Common causes include:

• Speeding: Many individuals are anxious to make it to work or meetings on time, or simply want to reduce time spent driving. However, speeding is the second most common cause of accidents, as driving over the speed limit can make it challenging to stop for slowed cars. Speeding in adverse weather conditions like rain, for example, can lead to hydroplaning, forcing drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
• Alcohol: Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous causes of accident fatalities in the U.S., as impaired drivers can take longer to react to road conditions, drift over into other lanes, and ignore important traffic signs.
• Reckless driving: Reckless behavior includes speeding over the limit, changing lanes too quickly and/or without signaling, tailgating other vehicles, and exiting off freeways at the last moment. Many accidents can be avoided simply by taking the time to remain calm before acting suddenly.
• Distracted driving: With improvements in technology, distracted driving becomes more of a risk as drivers make calls or text on their phones while driving.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Here’s what you should do:

• Ensure Safety: The foremost priority is to ensure everyone’s safety. If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic.
• Call the Police: It’s crucial to report the accident to the police, even if the damage seems small. A police report can be a critical piece of evidence in your claim.
• Exchange Information: Exchange all contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved. Ensure they get their full name, address, phone number, license plate number, and any insurance policy details.
• Document the Scene: Take images of the accident scene, which includes vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, gather their contact information as well.
• Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is important. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but could become serious if left untreated.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company about the accident promptly. Be honest about the facts, but avoid disclosing fault until the full details are clear.
• Consult a Car Accident Attorney: Before making any statements or accepting settlements, it’s wise to consult with a qualified car accident attorney. Legal guidance can help defend your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Car Accident Claim?

Potential damages may include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes the expense of emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any ongoing medical treatment that are related to your injuries. Even future medical expenses can be factored into your claim if long-term care is needed.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries stop you from working, you can claim compensation for lost earnings. This covers your missed time and any future earnings you may lose because of your injuries.
• Property Damage: You can seek compensation for restoring or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the incident.
• Pain and Suffering: Car accidents could result in more than just physical injuries. Pain and suffering damages are planned to compensate for the emotional distress, trauma, and reduced quality of life you’ve experienced because of the accident.
• Loss of Consortium: If your injuries have affected your relationship with your spouse or family, you may be qualified to loss of consortium damages.
• Punitive Damages: In cases where the other driver’s actions were particularly reckless or malicious, punitive damages could be granted.
• Wrongful Death: If a loved one was killed in a car accident, surviving family members might be fit to file a wrongful death claim. Damages in such cases can include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.

Car Accident FAQs

How Long Does a Claim/Settlement Take?

Depending on your unique situation, a car accident claim can take anywhere from a few months to a few years.

The length of your case may vary based on factors including:

• When you file a claim: Michigan has a three-year statute of limitation for most personal injury cases, which means you have three years to file a claim from the date of the accident.
• The injuries involved: Some health care providers may not initially know the extent of a victim’s injuries or how much treatment is needed to help them recover, and car accident attorneys need this information to provide an estimate of damages needed to recover.
• Legal proceedings: If an insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement for your accident, your attorney may help you initiate the civil claims process, and if an agreement still isn’t reached, the case may have to go to trial, taking additional time.

How Can Our Car Accident Lawyers in Traverse City Help After a Crash?

If you've been injured in a car accident, the help of an experienced and knowledgeable car accident lawyer can be invaluable. Car accident lawyers are experts at navigating the legal system and advocating for your rights. They can help you seek proper compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses associated with a Northern or Western Michigan car accident. 

They understand Michigan’s laws surrounding negligence and liability as well as insurance companies' practices, so they can fight for fair settlements that cover all damages due to the collision. With their experience dealing with insurance companies on behalf of clients who have been injured in accidents, car accident lawyers are prepared to handle complicated cases involving serious injuries or those where fault is disputed.

A car accident lawyer near you can also:

• Advise on the Statute of Limitations: A car accident attorney can explain the statute of limitations to a client so they understand how long they have to file their claim against another driver.
• Negotiate with Insurance Companies: A car accident lawyer will work to ensure that clients receive fair settlements from insurance companies, taking into account all damages and losses incurred due to the crash.
• Represent Clients in Court: If an agreement between parties cannot be reached, or if fault is disputed, a car accident attorney can represent a client's case in court and fight for satisfactory compensation.
• Obtain Evidence & Expert Witnesses: With knowledge of Michigan’s laws surrounding negligence and liability, a car accident attorney can use evidence from police reports, witness statements, medical records, and more to prove fault in court. Your attorney may also obtain expert testimony when needed to support your case if it goes to trial.
• Consultation Services: Car accident attorneys provide consultation services that give clients an understanding of their legal rights following an auto collision. This may include advice on how best to proceed with filing claims or how to go through the litigation processes involved with personal injury cases.

Don’t wait to get started on your case. Call Miller | Embrury's Traverse City car accident attorney now at (888) 224-1239 for your free consultation.