Car accidents can be life-changing, causing serious financial problems and agonizing injuries. However, you do not have to suffer alone. An experienced Monroe, MI, car accident lawyer can ensure your medical bills and lost wages are paid. Your lawyer can also ensure that the auto insurance company pays for the vehicle damage and that you receive compensation for pain and suffering.
Our law firm handles car accidents across Monroe County and even into Ohio. We have represented individuals in Monroe, Carleton, Dundee, Petersburg, Luna Pier, and other communities. We proudly represent our clients in Macomb County Circuit Court and have obtained substantial settlements.
Winning Monroe, MI Car Accident Lawyers for Over 50 Years
At The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, our Monroe County car accident lawyers have over five decades of experience handling a wide variety of car and truck accident cases.
- We have recovered hundreds of millions for southeast Michigan car accident clients.
- Our attorneys are regularly selected to present at legal seminars across Michigan and as Super Lawyers.
- Eric Steinberg served as President of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ), the umbrella organization for all Michigan personal injury lawyers.
- In the past three years, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm has settled numerous 7 figure cases, many for metro Detroit residents.
How Much Compensation Can I Get From a Car Accident in Monroe, MI?
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 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 insurance 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 Monroe, MI car accident lawyer who is diligent and aggressive will be able to get more money for you than an attorney who does not have the resources and experience.
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 Monroe 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 deeply understand what insurance companies look for when paying out claims. Our Monroe, MI car accident lawyers will meet with treating doctors, obtain witness statements, and hire accident reconstruction experts and medical experts to get the most compensation for our clients.
We provide updates and answer our clients’ questions during the settlement process.
Most importantly, we listen to clients’ wants and get to know them personally.
This is how our firm has obtained hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients for over 50 years.
What Happens if the Accident Occurred in Ohio?
Typically, when an auto accident occurs in Ohio, Ohio tort law applies. Unlike crashes in Michigan, a Michigan resident does not need to prove they have a “threshold” injury to get compensation for pain and suffering. This is a significant advantage for Michigan residents. The situation is treated like a standard negligence case.
However, the driver and passengers may still be entitled to Michigan no-fault benefits if they are Michigan residents.
Do I Still Get No-Fault Benefits if the Car Accident Happened in Ohio?
Yes. Under MCL 500.3111, the following people can still get the advantage of first-party no-fault benefits even if the motor vehicle accident occurred in Ohio:
- person insured under a Michigan no-fault policy,
- the spouse of a named insured,
- a resident relative of the named insured – such as a sibling, parent, or child
- an occupant if they were a Michigan resident or the owner of the involved vehicle has Michigan no-fault insurance.
Michigan residents injured in Ohio must be careful. On the one hand, they have the benefit of not having to prove a “threshold” injury, but they still must pursue economic benefits—like medical bills and wage loss—through their own auto insurance policy. It is important to contact a Monroe car accident lawyer who understands the details of the Michigan no-fault law and how it interplays with Ohio law.
I Live in Ohio But Was Injured in a Michigan Car Accident
Ohio residents injured in Monroe County or anywhere in Michigan can still pursue a negligence case so long as the other vehicle is at least 50% at fault for causing the crash. Our law firm has represented many Ohio residents injured due to another operator’s fault while driving through Michigan.
However, under MCL 500.3135(3)(d), an Ohio resident must have suffered death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement to obtain both economic and non-economic losses.
In other words, just because you are injured in an accident in Michigan does not mean you automatically can get money for medical bills and pain and suffering from the at-fault driver. Instead, you have to meet specific eligibility requirements. A good Monroe, MI car accident lawyer near you will be able to walk you through the process.
Is there a Time Limit For Filing a Monroe, MI 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. In addition to 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 Monroe Car Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Represent You
When you have sustained serious injuries in an auto accident in Monroe, 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.