Life after a car accident can sometimes feel impossible. The excruciating pain of severe injuries could be compounded by the seemingly never-ending arrival of more medical bills. What’s more, if your accident-related injuries have forced you to take time off work, your financial situation might make it feel impossible to cover the costs of your basic living expenses, let alone begin addressing these debts. You need the help that a car accident claim could provide you, but how can you trust that the insurance company will do right by you?
Rather than face this challenging time alone, consider working with an experienced Clawson, Michigan, car accident attorney who knows how to pursue maximum compensation for your claim. After you contact Atnip & Associates, PLLC, you will meet with a knowledgeable Oakland County personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your legal options and then pursue them on your behalf. With over 85 years of experience handling car accident cases across Michigan, we know how to fight for your right to the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (248) 599-1607 for a free consultation with a Michigan auto accident attorney.
Michigan Car Accident Statistics
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries and death, both here in Michigan and nationwide. In 2022, the state saw more than 293,000 motor vehicle accidents, which cost over 1,120 people their lives. Oakland County alone experienced nearly 34,200 accidents, resulting in 79 deaths and over 8,900 injuries.
According to data from the Michigan State Police, the most common factors in traffic collisions included the following:
An Oakland County car accident lawyer can investigate the accident to determine its causes and identify all liable parties.
Steps to Take After a Car Crash in Clawson, Michigan
The steps you take in the days and months following a crash can significantly affect your medical recovery and your compensation claim. If you have suffered injuries in a traffic accident in Oakland County, be sure to do the following.
The most important step you can take immediately after an accident is to seek medical treatment, even if you do not believe you have suffered an injury. A doctor can assess you to determine whether you have injuries that have not yet begun to display symptoms. Early diagnosis is critical for both your health and your injury claim.
After you have received care, it is essential to follow your medical professional’s instructions. If you don’t, an insurance adjuster might argue that your failure to adhere to the doctor’s orders worsened your injuries, and that your original, accident-caused injuries were less severe. This tactic could cost you money.
The success of your case will rest on the evidence your lawyer can muster on your behalf. As such, you should provide them with documentation such as:
- Medical bills to demonstrate your injury-related healthcare expenses
- Car repair or replacement invoices to show property damage costs
- Medical records such as scan results and doctor’s notes to link the accident to your injuries
- Documentation demonstrating missed time at work, such as pay slips, tax forms, and correspondence with your HR department
While it can be difficult to let a significant event go by without sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, posting about an accident can harm your case. The insurance company can use anything you say publicly to undermine your compensation claim. For the avoidance of doubt, try not to share anything online until your case is over.
Many people are tempted to handle car accident claims alone, thinking it will save them money. However, injury victims who choose to do so often walk away with far less compensation than those who engage motor vehicle collision legal counsel in Clawson. An experienced auto accident lawyer will know how to gather the relevant evidence and negotiate aggressively with the insurance company for the compensation you deserve. Depending on the circumstances, a Clawson car crash lawsuit attorney can also file legal action against the insurer or the driver who caused the accident.
Common Injuries in Clawson, MI Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic, life-altering trauma. Some of the most common injuries suffered in auto collisions in Clawson, Michigan, include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries – Whiplash occurs when the neck hyperextends backward and then whips forward, straining the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This can lead to pain, stiffness, headaches, and reduced mobility. More severe neck injuries may include herniated discs or fractures in the cervical vertebrae.
- Back injuries – The lower back is especially vulnerable in rear-end collisions. Herniated discs, strained muscles, and compression fractures in the lumbar spine are common. Severe back injuries can lead to ongoing pain, disability, and spinal cord damage.
- Broken bones – The force of impact can break bones throughout the body, particularly in the arms, legs, hands, feet, ribs, pelvis, and collarbone. Broken bones often require surgery to stabilize with plates, pins, or screws. Healing can take many weeks or months.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – A blow to the head or violent shaking of the brain against the inside of the skull can cause concussions and contusions. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Severe TBIs can result in permanent cognitive deficits.
These are just a few of the serious car accident injuries for which an experienced attorney can help you pursue compensation.
Possible Compensation for Motor Vehicle Collisions in Oakland County
One of the most common questions a personal injury attorney in Clawson, Michigan, receives is, “How much is my car accident claim worth?” While the answer depends on a number of factors, an auto accident law firm serving Clawson, MI, can fight to recover compensation for your:
- Medical expenses, including ambulance rides, ER visits, doctor’s appointments, specialist consultations, diagnostic scans, medication, assistive devices, and physical therapy
- Lost income due to missed time at work
- Reduced earning capacity if disability or disfigurement forces you to take a lower-paying job
- Property damage to your vehicle or its contents
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney can meet with you to help you understand how much compensation you may be eligible to recover.
Statute of Limitations for Michigan Car Accident Lawsuits
Michigan state law restricts the amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit for car accident injuries. You have one year from the day of an accident to file your personal injury protection (PIP) claim with your provider. If you have grounds to file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver, you have three years to do so. An experienced car collision lawyer can review your situation and determine the deadlines that apply to your particular case.
Contact Atnip & Associates, PLLC, for Clawson Car Collision Legal Representation
If you have suffered injuries in a car accident in Oakland County, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer to maximize your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
The compassionate and skilled legal team at Atnip & Associates, PLLC, understands how stressful this time is, and we want to do everything we can to help the claims process go smoothly. Call us today at 248-599-1607 or contact us online for a free consultation to learn how a car crash attorney can help you secure the favorable outcome you deserve.
