Under Michigan Law,1 people who are hurt by the negligence of others are often entitled to compensation for the losses they sustain as a result of their accident. Many people understand this fact but are not quite clear as to how this process actually works, and are curious as to whether or not they will need to file a lawsuit in order to obtain compensation for their medical expenses and other losses. While obtaining compensation does not happen automatically, it also does not usually require a full jury trial in for accident victims to obtain compensation. The information below is intended to address some basic questions that many car accident victims have regarding the process of recovering compensation. For specific advice regarding your case, call Michigan Injury Lawyers today.
The majority of cases settle well before trial
What may come as a surprise to many people who are unfamiliar with personal injury law2 is that vast majority of cases settle long before any party involved sees the inside of a courtroom. In fact, in many cases, a lawsuit is not even filed. This is due to the fact that in many instances, liability in the accident is so clear that the at-fault party simply concedes it, as it would be a waste of time to litigate the case. When this occurs, the only issue that needs to be resolved is how much compensation one party will pay to the other.
Simply because you do not need to file a suit does not mean you do not need an attorney
Many people who hear that a lawsuit will not be necessary to resolve their case may be under the mistaken impression that they should proceed without a lawyer in order to save money on legal fees. In reality, this is not the case, and it is highly advisable for anyone hurt in an accident to retain an attorney. People who are unfamiliar with representing auto accident victims often grossly undervalue the amount that their case is worth, and insurance companies take advantage of this fact by making unreasonably low settlement offers hoping that victims will simply accept them and move on. The very fact that an accident victim has retained counsel can often significantly increase the amount he or she is offered and, in many cases, the assistance of an attorney can result in a significantly higher settlement amount than an unrepresented party would be able to secure on his or her own.
Contact a Michigan auto accident attorney today to schedule a free consultation
Individuals that have been hurt in auto accidents are regularly entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, loss of quality of life, and physical and emotional pain and suffering. By speaking to an attorney after a car accident, victims can ensure that their legal rights are protected and that they obtain the compensation to which they are legally entitled. To schedule a consultation with an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer, call our office today at 313-438-4357 or send us an email through our online contact form.
References:
1 http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28cbbxktevwesclbxy2mhutg22%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=chapterindex
2 http://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/
law_issues_for_consumers/injury.html