Driving a car is part of our daily lives. However, car crashes can and do happen. When they do, it can be a life changing event. The costs are more than just financial and the injuries take a toll emotionally. This is especially true when the other driver was reckless, negligent or careless in causing the wreck. Navigating the legal process following a Lansing car crash can be stressful. It is important to talk with a dedicated and knowledgeable group of Lansing car accident lawyers who have battled insurance companies for decades.
The dedicated team of Lansing auto accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. have an extensive track record of settlements and victories. Our legal team has won hundreds of millions for our clients. Our Lansing car accident lawyers specialize in representing car accident injury victims, helping them obtain the benefits they deserve and putting the pieces back together. Our office is ready to handle your Lansing car accident or Ingham County personal injury case.
What Compensation Can I Get From a Lansing Car Accident?
Michigan is a no-fault state. This means you can get compensation from both the driver and owner of the at-fault motor vehicle, as well as the car insurance company responsible for paying PIP benefits, or personal injury protection benefits.
Michigan no-fault benefits following a Lansing auto accident are paid for by the applicable car insurance coverage carrier. The Lansing car accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. can help you determine which company is responsible for these payments.
The no-fault benefits available to persons injured in a car or truck accident include:
- Medical Expenses – this includes hospital bills, doctor’s bills, rehabilitation expenses, surgical bills, prescriptions, out-of-pocket costs as well as other medical expenses that health insurance is not responsible for paying.
- Lost Wages – 85% of lost wages for up to 3 years from the date of the crash. This includes self-employed individuals or those who are paid under the table.
- Replacement Services – Family members or friends who are completed household chores, such as laundry, cooking, and other household chores
Michigan no-fault benefits are available up to the PIP coverage purchased and available for that particular accident. PIP coverage can range from $50,000 to unlimited, so it is important to consult with a lawyer to ensure you are getting the most benefits available under the policy.
In addition to no-fault benefits, an injured person can also claim pain and suffering from the person who caused the crash. This is a standard negligence claim. In insurance parlance, it is also known as a bodily injury, or BI claim. Under the law, the victim of a crash can obtain pain and suffering so long as the other driver was at least 50% at-fault for causing the accident. The at-fault driver must pay for what the injured person was placed through. This includes what is known as “non-economic damages,” such as:
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Loss of society and loss of companionship;
- Depression and anxiety;
- Loss of quality of life; and
- Mental suffering.
With the change in the Michigan no-fault law, which now has caps on PIP (personal injury protection) coverage, at-fault drivers and owners are also responsible for medical bills, lost wages and other benefits not covered by the PIP no-fault carrier.
How Can I Sue for a Lansing Car Accident Injury Case?
When a person is injured in a car or truck accident in Ingham County, they can file a lawsuit again the defendants for compensation. The proper way to do this is to file a Complaint in Ingham County Circuit Court.
In a negligence case, the at-fault driver must be at least 50% at-fault for causing the accident in order to get compensation for pain and suffering. However, this 50% rule is not required to get economic damages, such as unpaid medical expenses. The proper defendant to sue can include the driver, as well as the owner of the vehicle.
Under the Owners’ Liability statute in Michigan, the owner of a vehicle is liable for the negligence of the driver. This is true even if the owner was not in the car or truck at the time of the accident.
Besides the owner and driver, if a commercial vehicle is involved, the company that employed the negligent driver can also be a defendant. These types of claims include negligent entrustment, negligent hiring and other liability theories that allow the injured person to get the justice he or she deserves following a Lansing car wreck.
What Are Common Causes of Lansing Car Accidents?
Car accidents and truck accidents in Lansing can occur for any number of reasons. Ingham County and surrounding areas have a number of busy freeways, highways, country roads and city roads that creates an opportunity for serious crashes. The most common causes for these accidents include:
- Failing to pay attention – distracted driving is the number one reason for auto accidents. When people are on their cell phones, texting and driving, playing with the radio, they take their eyes off the road which can lead to a dangerous accident
- Running a red light – running a red at an intersection can create high impact collisions with terrible injuries
- Running a stop sign – can also cause high speed collisions
- Speeding – this is another one of the major reasons for car accidents in Lansing
- Making an illegal U-turn – turning a car on a roadway when it is not prevented and causing a collision
- Drinking and driving – alcohol plays a major role in car accident-related fatalities
- Texting while driving – texting or using social media while driving is illegal
What Should I Do After My Crash?
The moments following a crash can be scary and extremely stressful. Car accidents in Lansing and East Lansing can be chaotic. Traffic can be busy and a lot is going on. However, it is very important to be proactive following a car accident and seek legal advice.
First, it is vital you call the police and make sure all parties involved, including witnesses, stay until the police arrive. That way, the police will obtain the identities and vehicle information of all individuals, take statements, and perform necessary accident reconstruction efforts so an accurate traffic crash report will be prepared.
Second, as we are taught in driver’s training, you should exchange information with the driver(s) involved in the accident. This includes getting their name, telephone number and writing down the license plate of the vehicle. Note the make and model of the car as well.
Third, take photographs of the accident scene and the other vehicle involved. This may be the only time you’ll ever see the vehicle and person who caused your crash. Take photographic evidence of the damage to the other vehicle. Sometimes, there can be very little damage to your car but a lot of damage to the other vehicle. You’ll want to preserve this to show the other insurance company the severity of the accident.
Sometimes, video can be helpful. A smartphone can take fantastic video of the accident scene which can come in handy later. For example, the at-fault driver may try to lie about where their car was located following the crash, or a person may misremember the weather conditions. Video can go a long way in highlighting the truth.
Most importantly, seek medical attention following the crash. If you are not feeling well at the scene, call 911 and request an ambulance. You may appear fine on the outside, but there could be internal bleeding or other severe ailments developing that may require immediate medical attention.
Even if you don’t go directly to the ER, it’s important to see your doctor or go to an urgent care soon after the accident to ensure everything is normal. Ingham County and the Lansing area has the benefit of an incredible health delivery system, including Sparrow Hospital and McLaren Great Lansing Hospital. Take advantage of this and make sure your health is cared for.
When this is all done, it is important to call your auto insurance company and let them know about the crash. Ask the insurance representative to set up a claim and to assign a claim number. The claim number will be used to obtain no-fault benefits, such as the payment of medical bills and lost wages going forward.
An experienced Lansing car accident injury lawyer can assist you in making a claim and ensuring the process moves smoothly and quickly. The lawyer can also help file the necessary paperwork so benefits get paid on time.
Types of Lansing Car Accidents
Car accidents in Lansing can happen in many different ways, including:
- Rear-end car collisions – when a driver is not paying attention and hits the vehicle in front of it
- Head-on collisions – when two vehicles going in opposite directions hit each other because of the vehicles left its lane and went into oncoming traffic
- Side-swipe collision – when two vehicles are traveling in the same direction and a driver switches lanes and hits the side of your car
- T-bone collision – most prevalent at intersections, this is when one vehicle hits the the side panel of another vehicle.
These accidents happen in Lansing on a daily basis. They happen because drivers get distracted and fail to pay attention to the traffic around them. Drivers have a duty to use due care and caution when driving on a roadway. By failing to do this, they open themselves up to liability for causing a personal injury. An aggressive Lansing car accident lawyer can ensure your rights are protected.
Which Car Insurance Company Pays No-Fault Benefits?
When a person is injured in a car wreck, the injured person can obtain Michigan no-fault benefits. This is true even if the person was the cause of the crash (hence the name “no-fault”). But which car insurance company pays these benefits? The answer is it depends on a few different factors. MCL 500.3114.
First, you always go to your own car insurance first. This occurs even if your own vehicle is not involved in the crash. For example, if you an occupant of a vehicle, or a pedestrian, you always go to your own car insurance first. So if you are injured in a car accident, your own car insurance carrier must pay your no-fault benefits, even if the other guy causes the accident.
If you do not have auto insurance, but a relative who resides with you does, such as a sibling or parent, then the auto insurance carrier for that relative may be obligated to pay no-fault benefits. This is true even if you are not listed on the policy. If there is no insurance at that level, then you must apply for no-fault benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
The MACP is an organization administered by the state but really controlled by the insurance industry. Under Michigan law, the MACP must assign an insurance carrier, such as Allstate or Farm Bureau, to pay no-fault benefits. However, the most an insurance company through the MACP must pay in no-fault benefits is $250,000.
If you are on a transportation vehicle, like a CATA bus, and you do not have car insurance in your household, then the auto insurance for CATA will pay your no-fault claim.
What if I Was in My Employer’s Vehicle When the Crash Happened?
The rules for who pays a claim differ if you are in an employer owned vehicle. In that situation, the insurance carrier for the employer provided vehicle must pay the injured person’s no-fault benefits. The PIP coverage limits selected by the employer applies to the claim, even if the injured person has higher PIP coverage limits on their own vehicle.
Why Do I Need a Lansing Car Accident Injury Lawyer?
Car accidents are not simple events. They involve a lot of stress, both emotionally and financially. Often, they can change your life in a significant and meaningful way. A diligent Lansing car accident lawyer can navigate the process. We will process your no-fault claim to ensure your lost wages are paid on time. We can make sure the medical bills are paid.
Our dedicated team of legal professionals and Lansing auto accident lawyers also make sure you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company following a crash. Insurance companies want to delay the claim for as long as possible. Then they want you to settle cheap. You only have one shot at compensation. It is important to not fall into their traps early on the process. We protect you from the insurance companies and their lawyers.
Common Injuries from Lansing Car Accidents
Car accidents in Lansing can result in a wide range of injuries. Factors such as the speed of the vehicles, whether seat belts were worn, how the body was situated at impact and other things are all important. Some common injuries from a Lansing car accident include:
- Whiplash: This is a neck or back injury caused by the sudden movement of the head and spine moving backward and then forward.
- Fractures: Bones can break due to the impact of the accident, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and hip.
- Soft tissue injuries: These include sprains, strains, and contusions, often affecting muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Head injuries: These can range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can have long-term consequences.
- Back injuries: The force of a car accident can cause damage to the spine, leading to herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, or other back problems.
- Internal injuries: Organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs can be damaged due to the force of the collision, leading to internal bleeding.
- Psychological trauma: Car accidents can also cause emotional distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression.
It is important that your treating doctors relate these injuries to the car crash. A Lansing car accident lawyer can meet with your doctors and get a thorough understanding of what their opinions are to help win your case. In addition, it is also important to listen to your doctor’s recommendations and see them on a regular basis for treatment.
Car Accidents in Lansing Resulting in Wrongful Death
When a car accident results in a fatal injury to the driver of a passenger, the family can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent driver and owner. These cases involve compensation for the pain and suffering preceding the death, loss of companionship, loss of society and another damages. The Michigan wrongful death act covers these cases.
It is important to find an experienced and detailed Lansing wrongful death lawyer who can show the insurance company the life-altering and catastrophic damage caused by the crash. This should include powerful witness statements from loved ones, friends, and other family members. Photographs and videos of the deceased demonstrate in real-time the type of person he or she was and is very powerful. Medical experts and medical examiners can also detail the pain and suffering the deceased went through immediately following the accident.
Ingham County Car Accident Statistics
With Lansing serving as the state capitol, the city attracts government employees, citizens, and tourists from all over the state. Michigan State University is one of the largest universities in the country, with approximately 40,000 undergraduates and thousands of graduate students attending school in East Lansing. The county itself has a population approaching 300,000.
With everything going on, Ingham County has numerous busy streets, highways and freeways that carry motorists throughout the county and onto different areas of state. Some of the busiest roadways include I96, I69, I-496, US-127, M36, M43, M52, the Capital Loop, Cedar St., Michigan Ave., Hagadorn Rd., Jolly Rd., Saginaw St. and many others.
With busy intersections comes car accidents. In 2021, Ingham County had 7,887 vehicular crashes. Out of those accidents, 2,230 resulted in injury with 32 fatalities. Other statistics include:
- 976 collisions with a deer, resulting in 55 injuries.
- 58 bicyclist accidents, resulting in 42 injuries.
- 256 accidents due to alcohol, with 157 injuries and 10 fatalities.
- 67 crashes due to drugs, with 65 injuries and 4 fatalities.
- 10 accidents with a school bus, resulting in 6 injuries.
- 81 motorcycle crashes, with 70 injuries and 9 fatalities.
- 66 pedestrian accidents, with 56 injuries and 3 fatalities.
- 323 truck or bus accidents, resulting in 73 injuries.
Mid-Michigan Car Accident Lawyers
The auto accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm represent not only residents of Lansing and Ingham County, but have helped claimants throughout mid-Michigan. Our team of lawyers represent car accident victims in Eaton County, Clinton County, Shiawassee and Gratiot counties as well. We know the terrain well. We know and understand how the system works. Let our team help you following a mid-Michigan car accident.
Talk to a Lansing Car Accident Lawyer Right Away
We understand the trauma and uncertainty surrounding a car accident. Medical bills can pile up, wages are lost, and the pain can be never ending. Insurance companies will attempt to minimize what is occurring and may not given you all the information you need.
Our team of Lansing car accident attorneys can step in and make sure you receive the compensation you are seeking and deserve. The Michigan no-fault law is intricate and complex. Understanding these complexities is not easy, but it is important so you can protect your rights. Waiting too long to contact an expert can cause permanent damage to an otherwise very promising claim, making a horrible situation even worse.
Lansing Car Accident Lawyers You Can Trust
The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. have passionately represented clients involved in car accidents for almost 50 years. Our compassionate and skillful team of Lansing car accident lawyers and legal professionals work hand-in-hand with our clients to achieve the most favorable results for them.
It is our commitment to our clients that sets us apart. Please call our law firm toll free at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) for a free phone consultation. And as part of our Lee Free Guarantee, we never charge a fee until we win your case.
