According to data1 published by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, there were nearly 300,000 traffic accidents reported during 2014 resulting in approximately 71,000 injuries. When car accidents are the result of a driver’s carelessness, people who are injured are often legally entitled to significant financial compensation. In many car accident cases, liability is conceded, so the only issue that the parties need to work out is the amount of compensation one will pay to the other. Sometimes, however, a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, and it becomes necessary for one or both parties to file suit.
Preparing for and conducting a car accident trial is generally a complicated and expensive process. Fortunately for victims, a personal injury law firm like Michigan Injury Lawyers will have the resources required to successfully litigate your claim. Some of the ways in which we can help victims are detailed below.
Michigan Injury Lawyers will investigate your claim and gather evidence supporting your case
In order to be able to recover damages after a car accident, victims must be able to establish that the other party or parties were negligent under Michigan law. Proving negligence2 often requires the collection and presentation of evidence, including the following:
- Witness interviews
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Police reports
- Surveillance footage
- Photographs of the aftermath
- Driving records
- Toxicology reports
- Onboard vehicle data
- Physical inspection of the vehicle
- Medical records
Obtaining this type of evidence can require making certain formal legal requests that are collectively known as “discovery.” Some examples of commonly used discovery devices include depositions, interrogatories, requests for admissions of facts, and requests for the production of documents. The rules associated with discovery are complicated and require a thorough understanding of civil procedure, so it advisable for anyone who is anticipating involvement in a car accident case to retain an attorney immediately.
In addition to the time associated with trial preparation and pre-trial negotiation, successfully litigating a car accident case often requires an outlay of a significant amount of money. The costs associated with trial include hiring expert witnesses, conducting depositions, filing fees, and even making the required number of copies for anything filed with the court. Fortunately, when you retain a personal injury law firm, the firm will pay for these up-front costs and not require reimbursement unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Contact a Michigan car accident attorney today to schedule a free consultation
People who have been injured in a car accident should obtain legal representation as soon as possible. Even if your case does not go to trial, the involvement of an experienced auto accident lawyer can have a significant impact on size of the settlement you receive and take the stress out of having to deal with the insurance company. Since 2008, Michigan Injury Lawyers has been helping people that are hurt in preventable accidents recover for their injuries. To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys, please call our office today at 888-454-0801.
References:
1 http://publications.michigantrafficcrashfacts.org/2014/First+Look_2014.pdf
2 https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence
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