The Best Midland Car Accident Lawyers Near You
Getting into a car accident is a very emotional event. There is much to consider, including the car damage, fixing the car, how it will affect insurance, and potential criminal penalties if you cause the crash. But the injuries you sustain can be life-changing and long-lasting. That is why you need the best Midland car accident lawyers to help.
Why Choose Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. for This Case?
After sustaining a serious personal injury caused by a car accident, you need a law firm that specializes in car accidents, especially in the Midland area.
- We focus only on personal injury law, and our clients are only the injured and their families.
- We understand the complexities of auto accident cases, the defenses insurance companies come up with, how to get Michigan no-fault benefits, and how to get the most out of your pain and suffering.
- We have 50 years of experience helping clients in Midland and surrounding communities get the money they deserve.
- We handle all Midland car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay anything until we win your case.
- Our Midland car accident attorneys have been selected as Michigan “Super Lawyers” numerous times. Our attorneys and staff go the extra mile for our clients.
How Do I Find Out If I Have a Case?
We offer free legal advice. Call our office at 1-866-696-9146 to get your questions answered. With a simple phone call, we can discuss the facts about your accident and injuries and assess whether you have a legal right to financial recovery.
Insurance companies always try to deny claims or minimize injury claim payments. Invest the time to talk with a lawyer before you start working with the insurance adjuster who is paid to oppose your claims. Contact the Lee Steinberg Law
Firm today to find out your legal options.
What is the Michigan No-Fault Law?
Michigan’s car accident law is very different from any other state’s. Michigan is still a true no-fault state. In almost all situations, a person can obtain first-party benefits, even if they were at fault for causing an accident. However, an injured person must show a “threshold” injury to receive compensation for pain and suffering.
What are Michigan No-Fault Benefits?
These benefits are even available to individuals who do not have auto insurance or even own a car. In fact, all people injured in a car or truck accident in Michigan are entitled to no-fault benefits so long as they were not in an accident involving their own uninsured car.
So what kind of things do no-fault benefits include? First is the payment of medical bills that are related to the crash. These medical expenses include hospital bills from Mid—Michigan Midland Hospital, My Michigan, doctor bills, rehab, surgeries, medications, and co-pays.
Another benefit is lost wages. Under MCL 500.3107(1)(b), the car insurance company must pay 85% of gross wages up to 3 years from the accident date. This is true even if you lose your job due to the crash.
A third benefit is replacement services. Under MCL 500.3107(1)(c), a friend or family member doing the household chores you can’t do because of your car accident injuries is entitled to $20 per day for this work. This benefit is also available for up to 3 years.
The Midland car accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm have helped our clients recover hundreds of millions. We are always here to answer questions about no-fault benefits and your car accident situation. Auto insurance companies don’t like paying no-fault benefits, but we can make sure they pay what they are supposed to pay.
What is a “Threshold Injury” under the Michigan No-Fault Law?
As previously mentioned, the injured person must have a threshold injury to obtain pain and suffering compensation for a Midland car accident case. But what does this mean?
Under Michigan law, specifically MCL 500.3135, there are three threshold injuries: (1) death, (2) serious impairment of body function, and (3) permanent serious disfigurement.
Most cases fall into this last category. To prove serious impairment, the injured victim must show the impairment they suffered from the car crash:
- is objectively manifested, meaning it is observable or perceivable from actual symptoms or conditions by someone other than the injured person.
- is an impairment of an important body function, which is a body function of great value, significance, or consequence to the injured person.
- It affects the injured person’s general ability to lead his or her normal life, meaning it has had an influence on some of the person’s capacity to live in his or her normal manner of living.
There is no time requirement for how long the impairment must last. Demonstrating a “threshold” injury is required to get pain and suffering or non-economic damages in Michigan. You need an expert Midland car accident lawyer to assist you in pursuing this case.
What Are the Common Causes of Negligent Car Accidents?
Careless drivers cause traffic collisions every day. The Midland, MI, car accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm have protected the rights of Michigan’s injured for over five decades. Some of the more common car accidents due to driver neglect involve;
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
- Speeding
- Distracted Driving
- Reckless driving
- Failure to yield
- Head-on collision or wrong-way driving
- Running a red light
How Long Does it Take to Receive Compensation?
Every case is different and depends on the compensation you are discussing. First-party benefits, such as lost wages and medical bills can be paid within 30 days of reasonable proof being presented to the correct auto insurance company. That is why getting pay stubs and medical records to the no-fault carrier as quickly as possible is essential.
Compensation for pain and suffering is different. These cases depend on the level of medical treatment, the severity of the injuries, your doctors, the insurance policies in play, and the knowledge and expertise of your attorney. Our Midland car accident lawyers have recovered full policy limits for clients within a few months. However, some cases require more time, especially those requiring a lawsuit.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer After a Midland Car Accident?
Most of the time, a car accident in Midland only involves minor damage and no injuries. However, if the crash is serious and an injury occurs, an experienced Midland car accident lawyer is a good person to turn to make sure you do not get taken advantage of by the insurance company.
A knowledgeable car accident attorney can help you open a claim for first-party benefits and get money for your pain and suffering.
Insurance companies try to exploit individuals who are not experts and may not understand the claims process. They often try to lowball a person to get them to settle cheaply and fast. They will do this by promising to send a check immediately. But in return the injured person gives up all their rights and often gets pennies on the dollar.
It is important to consult with a great Midland car accident lawyer who knows the tricks of the trade and how car insurance companies act. As importantly, you need a Midland auto accident law firm that will consistently keep you updated on your case and has a history of obtaining large dollar settlements for clients.
What Do I Do If a Family Member Injured in a Car Accident Dies?
Fatal injury cases allow certain surviving family members to collect compensation by pursuing claims under the Michigan Wrongful Death Act. Wrongful Death cases are unique, and they are also subject rules and deadlines.
First, an estate must be opened for the decedent, and a personal representative (PR) must be appointed. The PR has the most control over the case, including hiring legal counsel to represent the interests of the Estate. Then a lawsuit against the proper defendants can be filed. Damages in Wrongful Death cases include:
- medical expenses incurred by the victim during life-saving efforts
- funeral expenses
- lost income
- conscious pain and suffering
- Loss of society and companionship
- Loss of emotional and moral support
- Loss of consortium
What Can I Do if My Child is Injured in a Car Accident?
Car accident cases involving a child are similar to standard auto accidents. However, Michigan courts give special protection to children. When the case is settled, approval by a judge is required. Although a parent or guardian can obtain money when their child is injured, the court works to protect the minor. At the time of settlement, the money if often placed into a “structured settlement.”
Structures allow the parent to determine how the settlement money will be paid out after the child reaches age 18, which enables the money to be invested with interest over time. The interest income and settlement money remain non-taxable.
In addition, the statute of limitations or time limit to file a lawsuit differs for children. In most car accident cases, a child has until their 19th birthday to file a case in court against the proper defendants. This is longer than the three (3) year statute of limitations for normal auto accidents.
Our Midland car accident lawyers guide the family through the entire process, and we handle all of the red tape and paperwork involved in court approval of a settlement.
Dangerous Roads and Highways in Midland County
There are many dangerous roads and intersections in Midland County. According to the Michigan State Police, some of the most dangerous intersections are:
- Eastman Avenue and East Wackerly Road
- Isabella Road (M20) and Meridian Road (M30)
- Eastman Avenue and North Saginaw Road
- Ashman Street and East Indian Street
Injured in a Crash? Contact a Winning Midland Car Accident Lawyer
For over 50 years, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm has helped people injured in auto accidents win their cases and get the monetary compensation they deserve. Our Midland, MI, car accident attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions for our clients. We understand what our clients are going through. We know how to get the most money after the severe and life-changing injuries caused by a negligent driver.
Call us at 1-800-LEE-FREE for a free consultation or complete a contact form today. We never charge anything until we win your case.