Gaylord has its share of traffic accidents, especially in the spring and summer. In fact, there were 840 car and truck crashes in Otsego County in 2023, resulting in 164 injuries and 2 deaths. Alcohol and drunk driving played a role in 26 of those crashes. Another 27 crashes were due to distracted drivers.
When you are injured in a car accident, it is important to turn to a law firm you can trust and will fight aggressively for you. The Gaylord car accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm work tirelessly for our clients. That is why we are one of Michigan’s premier personal injury firms.
How Much Compensation Can I Get From a Car Accident in Gaylord?
The amount of money compensation an injured person can receive following a car crash depends on several factors.
The Severity of the Injuries
First, the severity of the injuries is obviously important. A crash that leads to a broken arm, surgery, and rehabilitation is more severe than a crash that causes limited lower back pain that quickly heals. The harms and losses from more substantial injuries demand a more significant settlement amount.
Insurance Coverage
Another critical factor is the amount of insurance coverage. The higher the available insurance coverage, the higher the potential settlement. In Michigan, the law states a driver must purchase at least $250,000 in bodily injury coverage to cover other people if the driver causes injuries in a crash. This is called residual bodily injury coverage. This same rule requires at least $500,000 in coverage for the entire accident.
Drivers and policyholders can purchase a lower bodily injury limit of at least $50,000. However, this can only happen if they complete certain required forms.
In most cases, $50,000 is not enough to pay for severe injuries caused by a negligent driver. As a result, it is important to purchase underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage to protect yourself from underinsured drivers.
A Great Personal Injury Law Firm
A third factor is the skill of your lawyer and a law firm. A Gaylord car accident lawyer who is diligent and aggressive will be able to get more money for you than an attorney who does not put in the time or effort.
Insurance companies know which lawyers and law firms thoroughly investigate their cases and fight until the end. This allows these lawyers to get a higher settlement for their clients. The Gaylor Michigan auto accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm know how to fight and obtain the most money.
How Does the Lee Steinberg Law Firm Get a Bigger Settlement?
Our firm consists of experts in Michigan car accident law. We have a deep understanding of what insurance companies look for when paying out claims. Our Gaylord car accident lawyers will meet with treating doctors, obtain witness statements, and hire accident reconstruction experts and medical experts to obtain the most compensation for our clients.
During the settlement process, we provide updates and answer our clients’ questions. Most importantly, we listen to our clients’ wants and get to know them personally.
This is how our firm has obtained hundreds of millions for our clients for over 50 years.
How Do I Get Pain and Suffering Compensation Following a Gaylord Car Accident?
If another driver caused the accident or was at least 50% negligent, you are eligible for pain and suffering compensation. This is also known as a third-party case.
Pain and suffering are paid by the insurance company for the driver and/or owner of the at-fault vehicle. However, under Michigan law, just because you were injured in a Gaylord car accident does not mean you are entitled to pain and suffering. Instead, the injured person must have a “threshold injury.”
The most common threshold injury is a “serious impairment of body function.” This is defined under MCL 500.3135, but it means the injured person must have (1) objective impairment, (2) the impairment is of an important body function, and (3) it affects their general ability to lead a normal life.
Getting compensation for your injuries in Michigan is not simple. There are strict rules in force, and because of Michigan’s no-fault law, injured individuals must prove they meet the injury threshold.
Who Pays the Medical Bills and Lost Wages from the Car Crash?
Michigan is a no-fault state. This means your car insurance carrier usually pays the medical bills and lost wages following a car accident. This is called a no-fault claim or first-party claim.
The medical bills the car insurance company must pay depend on the amount of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage purchased.
If you don’t have auto insurance, you can still make a no-fault claim in most situations. For example, if a resident relative (a family member who lives with the injured person) has auto insurance, that carrier may be responsible for paying all no-fault benefits. Resident relatives include parents, children, a spouse, aunts, uncles, and other family members.
If no insurance is in the household, the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP) is responsible for paying up to $250,000 in PIP benefits.
Talk to an experienced Gaylord car accident lawyer to determine who pays your medical bills and wage loss after a crash.
Is there a Time Limit For Filing a Gaylord Car Accident Lawsuit?
Under Michigan law, an injured person has three (3) years from the crash date to file a lawsuit against the correct defendants. This is called the statute of limitations. This time limit is longer for children, as most have until they turn 19 to file a lawsuit.
There are many potential defendants in a Michigan car accident case. Besides the at-fault driver, the vehicle’s owner may also be responsible for the driver’s injuries.
In addition, if the driver was working for a company and was within the course and scope of their job when the crash occurred, the employer can be held responsible.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire the Lee Steinberg Law Firm?
We handle car accident cases and all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not charge anything until we win your case. Even the initial consultation and meeting is free.
When we successfully obtain a settlement or verdict, the legal fee is one-third (1/3) of the amount, including costs. If, for some reason, we are not successful in obtaining money, you do not owe us anything, ever. At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, you will pay nothing only if we win your case and you get paid.
Contact Us Today – Our Gaylord, MI Car Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Represent You
When you have sustained serious injuries in an auto accident in Gaylord, you have a lot going on. The attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm will meet with you and protect you throughout your case. We will fight for the monetary compensation you deserve by law.
Call us for a free consultation at 1-800-533-3733, or complete a contact form today.