July 24, 2018
What Are Your Rights After an Auto Accident in Michigan?
The state of Michigan has a no-fault insurance system, which means that residents have several different types of rights and benefits when it comes to auto accidents. However, this also means that Michigan residents do not have the right to sue other motorists in the event of an accident, except in cases involving severe injury or death. If you are a Michigan resident, and you have been in an auto accident, there are a few key steps you should take to ensure that you retain all of your rights. Firstly, you should immediately contact the police and file a police report with them regarding the accident. Be sure to get a copy of the police report for your own records. A Michigan Auto Accident lawyer at Elia & Ponto can help you file a Michigan auto accident claim. Speaking with a Michigan Car accident lawyer can provide a lot of value to anyone involved in a Michigan auto accident.
You should also be sure to document some important pieces of information regarding the auto accident. This information consists of the contact information for anyone who was involved in the accident, including passengers and witnesses. This includes their names, phone numbers, and addresses. You should also note the insurance company of the other driver and his or her license plate information. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible after the accident can help you to ensure that you are aware of and retain all your rights related to the auto accident.
If you have incurred any injuries as a result of the auto accident, you should seek treatment for them immediately. Even if you believe your injury to be insignificant, you should report it to all medical professionals involved in treating your accident-related injuries, including Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Room Staff, and Emergency Room doctors. It is imperative that you ensure that any injuries are recorded for documentation purposes. This is important because an accident-related injury can initially appear to be minor but may eventually progress into a more serious condition over time.
Having documentation early on will ensure that should you wish to later on file a lawsuit regarding the injury, you will be well able to link the injury to the auto accident. Some symptoms that are important to note include things like feeling lightheaded or dizzy, a headache, blurry vision, ringing in your ears, or a memory, concentration, or emotional issue. An attorney can help to ensure that you acquire and retain all of the correct information that you may need, should you eventually realize that a seemingly innocuous injury sustained as a result of the accident is, in fact, something serious that will require a high level of medical attention and treatment.
Because Michigan is a no-fault state, you are entitled to different benefits from your vehicle insurance company after getting into an auto accident, regardless of who or what was the cause of the accident. You should be sure to notify your insurance company immediately after being involved in an auto accident. Michigan state law requires that you notify your vehicle insurance provider of a vehicle accident within one year of the incident. You also must apply for any benefits you wish to receive from your provider within one year of the accident. It is important that you carefully read through your insurance policy regarding any specific requirements that your insurance company might have when it comes to reporting an auto accident to them. This is another area in which you could benefit from consulting an attorney as quickly as possible after your auto accident. An attorney can review your specific insurance policy and help you to be aware of any key timelines or steps you need to take when it comes to properly reporting your accident to your insurance provider. A Detroit Auto Accident lawyer can be of great value to anyone involved in a Auto accident in Detroit.
You should also know that you are not legally required to provide a statement to a vehicle insurance claims adjuster. You have the right to involve your attorney in insurance processes such as giving statements, signing releases, or allowing the insurance adjuster to view the damage to your vehicle. An attorney can review any documentation related to these processes and ensure that they do not contain language that might limit or negate your rights to certain elements of your insurance benefits, particularly as regards personal injuries suffered as a result of the accident.
As a Michigan resident, you have the right to a variety of benefits through your no-fault insurance policy in the event of an auto accident. You are entitled to coverage of expenses related to your medical care such as medical bills themselves and reimbursement of any mileage accrued as a result of traveling to medical appointments related to your accident. You can also seek benefits related to loss of wages from missing work due to the accident. If needed, you have the right to receive financial assistance for help with things like household chores, child care, or in-home nursing care for injuries you or someone else in your household sustained as a result of the accident. You also might qualify for financial help with making modifications to your home or vehicle that you require as a result of a disabling injury sustained from your auto accident. This is yet another instance where retaining an attorney could benefit you, as he or she would be well able to ensure that you are aware of and able to receive any benefits for which you qualify. A Saginaw auto accident lawyer is a great resource for those involved in a car accident in Saginaw Michigan.
In the event of an auto accident that leads to serious personal injury or wrongful death, you should know that you have the right to file a civil lawsuit against the driver who was at fault in the accident. Because Michigan is a no-fault state, there are certain limitations placed on these cases. However, an attorney can review your case and help you to make the best possible decision for you situation. Even if you decide not to file a lawsuit, an attorney can assist you with the different steps involved in the insurance process and can help you to be aware of all of your rights so as to ensure that you have full access to the benefits to which you are entitled following an auto accident. Speak with a Michigan Car Accident lawyer at Elia & Ponto today, we always have a Michigan Car Crash lawyer ready to help you. We are always ready to show you how to file a Michigan auto accident claim.
