How Do Car Accident Settlements Work In Michigan?

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How Do Car Accident Settlements Work?

If you were seriously hurt in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, knowing how car accident settlements work in Michigan will help you be able to recover full compensation for your pain and suffering and excess economic damages such as medical costs and lost wages. 

The car accident settlement process can take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years, depending primarily on the complexity of your case, and the reputation of your lawyer. The steps in the process include: (1) filing your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company; (2) their investigation of your claim; (3) their approval or denial of your claim; (4) negotiation of your final settlement (assuming a full and fair offer is not made); (5) your trial and (6) your payment.

The value of your settlement depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the strength of your evidence, the insurance coverage and financial assets available, and the reputation of your attorney. An experienced car accident attorney can help you with every step of the settlement process, from making sure your claim is properly filed to working on conducting a thorough investigation to demanding a full and fair compensation for your injuries. (and going to trial if one is not offered).

There are several ways to ensure that the car accident settlement process works smoothly for your Michigan case and results in an offer that represents the full value of your claim. First, it’s imperative that you seek medical attention immediately and that you attend all doctor appointments and keep detailed records of all of your injuries and related treatment. Second, you should hire the best car accident attorney you can find. The right lawyer will have extensive experience, be specialized in auto law, have a track record of success, and have a reputation for being willing to go to trial if a full and fair offer is not made in your case.

Fortunately, the state’s top auto lawyers are at Michigan Auto Law. For 50 years, we’ve specialized in motor vehicle accidents, and our record speaks for itself. We’ve won more motor vehicle accident million-dollar settlements and verdicts than any other auto lawyer or law firm in Michigan. And we have a reputation for excellence and integrity, as evidenced by the more than 2,500 5-star reviews on our website.

Call us today for a free, no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Let one of our experienced car accident lawyers guide you through the car accident settlement process and get you the financial award and peace of mind you deserve!

How Does The Car Accident Settlement Process Work?

In Michigan, to understand how the car accident settlement process works, you need to know there are 6 steps in the process: 1) the claim; 2) the investigation; 3) the decision; 4) the negotiation; 5) the trial; 6) the payment.

·       The claim – The first step in the Michigan car accident settlement process is to work on filing your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. To be sure your claim is filed properly and in a timely manner, it’s always best to consult with an experienced car accident attorney.

·       The investigation – As soon as you file your claim, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will begin its investigation of the accident. Note that the insurance company is not your friend, even though they will often take a friendly posture at this state of the car accident settlement process they work to lull you into a false sense of security. You can help yourself by not making statements or signing legal documents without counsel, attending all medical appointments and keeping detailed records, tracking all of your medical expenses, and getting a copy of the police report. An experienced attorney can help you with all of this and ensure that the insurance adjuster does not bully you into a low-ball settlement, destroy evidence, or twist the narrative of the accident.

·       The decision – This is the part of the car accident settlement process when the at-fault driver’s insurance company works on the investigation and concludes it by either denying your claim (by asserting your accident is not covered) or approving it (by admitting that your injuries are covered). It’s important, however, to note that approval rarely means they’re ready to make a full and fair settlement offer. Insurance companies are notorious for doing anything and everything they can to avoid a big payout. They will often make you an offer that is far below the actual value of your case, and they will make it seem tempting. This, again, is where an experienced attorney can help you immensely by determining the true value of your case and advising you as to what is fair.

·       The negotiation – Insurance companies typically do not offer a full and fair settlement in their first offer. However, the car accident settlement process can work in your favor when you have an experienced attorney who specializes in auto crash cases and is known for securing million-dollar awards and verdicts who will have them rethinking their position. If your lawyer is known for demanding full compensation or going to trial, and has a track record of success, the insurance adjuster handling your claim is far more likely to back down and make a legitimate offer. In fact, the insurance industry’s own data reveals that car accident victims who are represented by skilled counsel get up to four times more in their settlements than those who are not.

·       The trial – Most car accident cases end with a settlement, but sometimes the insurance company refuses to settle, or refuses to settle for the full value of a claim. This is especially true for car accident victims who are representing themselves, or are represented by an inexperienced attorney who simply dabbles in car crash cases. An experienced car crash lawyer with a reputation for demanding full value and being willing to take a case to trial is your best bet.

·       The payment – Once your case is settled, or a verdict is reached, the insurance company will pay your claim.

How much is my settlement worth?

If your injuries were caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover significant economic and noneconomic damages. 

In a Michigan car accident settlement, economic damages work to cover past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket expenses you incur during your recovery. 

In a Michigan car accident settlement, noneconomic damages work to cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. To recover noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, you must meet the “serious impairment of body function” threshold, meaning you must show that your injuries have impacted your ability to lead your “normal” life. An experienced car crash lawyer can help you navigate the complex laws related to damages in Michigan.

Here are the factors that courts and insurance adjusters typically work with to determine the value of a Michigan car accident settlement: 

  • The nature and extent of your personal injuries; 
  • Your current and future medical needs; 
  • Whether you were able to return to work or whether you are partially or fully disabled from working, including any physician-imposed restrictions and whether you have reached MMI (i.e., maximum medical improvement); 
  • Whether you were disabled from engaging in other important non-work-related pre-accident activities; 
  • The at-fault driver’s liability limits, available collectible personal assets, and the particular insurance company involved; 
  • The experience, track record and reputation of your personal injury lawyer (attorneys who are known for going to trial can settle cases for more money and often much faster); 
  • The amount of economic “specials” – usually the amount of money incurred in medical bills and wage loss to date; 
  • The county or legal venue in which your case will be litigated.

What should I do if I’m involved in a car accident?

If you are involved in a car accident, there are several steps you can/should take, including:

How can an experienced attorney help me with my settlement?

An experienced attorney can work to help you with your car accident settlement by:

·       Protecting you from being bullied by the insurance company – Insurance adjusters are trained to find ways to deny liability and avoid paying you for your injuries. They do this by manipulating the facts and by attempting to convince you to sign an agreement to settle your case for far less than it’s worth. As soon as you are represented by and work closely with an experienced attorney, the Michigan car accident settlement process tends to run smoothly and the bullying will stop.

·       Investigating and building your case – When you hire an experienced attorney, he or she will begin investigating your case immediately. Your lawyer will work to gather and preserve evidence, interview witnesses, hire the best experts, and build the most compelling possible case to ensure they can get the maximum car accident settlement for you.

·       Negotiating a full and fair settlement – An experienced car accident attorney knows how to determine and put a value on your injuries, and will not settle your case for any amount other than its full value.

·       Taking your case to trial, if necessary – When a full and fair offer is not made, this is the stage in the car accident settlement process that you will need an attorney who is willing to work to take your case to trial and has a reputation for winning significant verdicts, especially million-dollar verdicts. The insurance company knows which lawyers they should fear and which lawyers they can take advantage of. You need a lawyer who specializes in auto law and has a strong reputation among insurance companies.

Injured in a crash in Michigan and wondering how the car accident settlement process works? Call Michigan Auto Law now for a free consultation!

If you were injured in a crash in Michigan, and you are wondering how the car accident settlement process works, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Michigan Auto Law is Michigan’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in auto accidents.

Our secret? Our car accident attorneys deliberately handle fewer cases than other personal injury law firms.  This allows us to focus more time and attention on our cases.

Unlike other law firms, our attorneys are never too busy to promptly return phone calls and answer questions. 

We have more than 2,500 5-Star Reviews that reflect this care and attention to detail.

More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle accidents than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck accident and car accident settlement in the state.

Call now so we can start making a real difference for you.

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