A car accident can turn your world upside down in seconds. One moment, you’re going about your day, driving to work or running errands. Then suddenly, you’re left dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, lost wages, and a damaged vehicle. As if that isn’t enough, insurance companies often try to lowball settlements or deny claims altogether, leaving you struggling to cover expenses.  

Many people assume that hiring a lawyer is expensive, but most personal injury attorneys in Michigan offer free consultations. This means you can speak with a lawyer about your case at no cost and with no obligation to hire them. Understanding what happens during these consultations and where to find free legal help can make it easier to recover the compensation you deserve.  

Why You Should Seek Legal Advice After a Car Accident  

After a car accident, you may wonder if hiring an attorney is necessary. If the accident was minor, with no injuries and minimal damage, you might be able to handle the insurance claim on your own. However, in cases involving injuries, rising medical bills, lost wages, or disputes with insurance companies, having a lawyer can make a big difference in the compensation you receive.

Insurance companies are not on your side: they are for-profit businesses focused on minimizing payouts. Even when you file a claim with your own insurance provider under Michigan’s no-fault insurance system, you may face delays, denials, or settlement offers far lower than what you actually need to cover your expenses. Speaking with a lawyer can clarify your rights, protect you from insurance company tactics, and help you take the right steps toward financial recovery.

Understanding Your Legal Rights Under Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance System

Michigan operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means that your own insurance company is responsible for covering your medical expenses, lost wages, and certain out-of-pocket costs, regardless of who caused the accident. This is meant to ensure that accident victims receive compensation quickly, without the need for lawsuits over minor crashes.

However, there are important limitations to no-fault coverage. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits in Michigan may not cover all your medical costs, long-term care, or pain and suffering. If your injuries are severe enough, Michigan law allows you to step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This could entitle you to additional compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages that no-fault insurance won’t cover.

An experienced Michigan car accident attorney will review your case and help you understand:

• Whether your injuries meet the “serious impairment of body function” threshold, which allows you to pursue a lawsuit.
• How much compensation you’re entitled to under your PIP benefits and whether your insurer is handling your claim properly.
• If you have a strong case against the at-fault driver, including potential compensation for long-term injuries, pain and suffering, or permanent disability.

Without legal guidance, many accident victims miss out on the full compensation they deserve simply because they don’t understand their rights under Michigan law.

Determining If You Have a Valid Case for Additional Compensation

Not every accident leads to a lawsuit, but many victims are entitled to more compensation than their insurance company initially offers. A personal injury attorney can evaluate all the factors in your case to determine whether you have grounds to seek additional damages.

During a free consultation, the lawyer will ask:

• How serious are your injuries? Minor bruises and soreness might not qualify for a lawsuit, but injuries like fractures, head trauma, spinal cord damage, or permanent impairments often do.
• Have you lost income due to the accident? If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages or diminished earning capacity.
• Has the accident impacted your daily life? If your ability to perform everyday tasks, hobbies, or care for your family has been affected, you may have a valid case for pain and suffering damages.
• Is there evidence to prove the other driver was at fault? Even in a no-fault state, fault matters when seeking additional compensation. Witness statements, traffic camera footage, police reports, and accident reconstructions can all play a role in proving liability.

By consulting with an attorney, you can get a realistic assessment of your case and avoid settling for less than you deserve.

Avoiding Insurance Company Tactics That Undermine Your Claim

As we stated earlier, insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. Their goal is to close cases quickly while paying out as little as possible. Even your own insurance provider may delay processing your claim, dispute your injuries, or pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement.

Some common tactics used by insurance companies include:

• Offering a quick, low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries. This may seem helpful, but once you accept, you cannot request additional compensation later, even if your medical expenses increase.
• Arguing that your injuries are pre-existing or not related to the accident. Insurers often try to blame prior medical conditions or claim that your pain isn’t accident-related to avoid paying.
• Requesting recorded statements to use against you. Anything you say can be twisted or taken out of context to weaken your claim.
• Delaying your claim until you’re desperate to settle. By dragging out the process, they hope you’ll accept a lower amount just to move on.
• Denying necessary medical treatments. Your insurer may claim that certain treatments or surgeries are unnecessary, forcing you to fight for coverage.

A personal injury lawyer knows these tactics and how to counter them. They handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring that:

• You don’t say anything that could hurt your case.
• You receive a fair settlement that covers your current and future expenses.
• Your claim is processed as efficiently as possible without unnecessary delays.

Many accident victims who handle their claims alone end up settling for far less than they are entitled to. Having a lawyer ensures you don’t fall victim to insurance company pressure.

Getting Answers to Your Legal Questions

When you schedule a free consultation with a Michigan personal injury attorney, you get the opportunity to ask important questions and receive clear, straightforward answers about your case.

Common questions accident victims ask include:

• What should I do if the insurance company denies my claim?
• How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan?
• Can I recover damages for emotional distress after a car accident?
• How does Michigan’s new auto insurance law affect my case?
• What happens if the at-fault driver was uninsured?

Instead of searching for answers online or relying on misinformation from insurance companies, speaking with a lawyer ensures that you get reliable legal advice tailored to your situation.

There’s No Downside to Speaking With a Lawyer!

One of the biggest concerns people have about hiring a lawyer is cost. However, nearly all personal injury attorneys in Michigan work on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• Your initial consultation is 100% free.
  You pay nothing upfront.
  Your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case.

If your attorney is able to secure a settlement or court award on your behalf, their fee is taken as a percentage of the compensation you receive. This ensures that you can afford high-quality legal representation without any financial risk.

Given that insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working against you, having an experienced personal injury attorney fighting for you can mean the difference between a minimal payout and full compensation for your losses.

What to Bring to Your Free Consultation

When you meet with a personal injury lawyer, bringing the right documents and evidence will help them evaluate your claim more accurately. Here’s what you should gather before your appointment:

1) A Copy of the Police Report

If law enforcement responded to your accident, there will be a police report detailing what happened, who was involved, and any citations issued. This report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a car accident case because it provides an official record of the incident.

If you don’t already have a copy, you can request one from the Michigan State Police or the local law enforcement agency that handled the accident. Some cities allow online requests through their police department’s website.

2) Medical Records and Bills

Your injuries are a key factor in determining the value of your claim. Bring any documentation related to hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, and ongoing treatments.

If you haven’t received medical treatment yet, your attorney can advise you on where to go and how to document your injuries properly. This is crucial because insurance companies often downplay injuries that lack proper medical documentation.

3) Photos and Videos From the Accident Scene

Visual evidence can be extremely powerful in proving fault and demonstrating the extent of damages. If you took them, bring photos or videos of:

• The accident scene (skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals)
• Vehicle damage (yours and the other driver’s)
• Your injuries (cuts, bruises, burns, or swelling)

If you didn’t take photos, check with passengers, witnesses, or nearby businesses that may have security footage of the crash.

4) Insurance Correspondence

If you’ve already reported the accident to your insurance company, bring any emails, letters, or settlement offers you’ve received. Your lawyer can review these documents and advise you on whether the offer is fair or if you should negotiate for a higher amount.

5) Witness Information

If anyone witnessed your accident, their testimony could help support your version of events. Bring a list of witness names, contact information, and any statements they provided. Eyewitness accounts can be especially valuable in cases where the other driver disputes fault or when insurance companies are trying to shift blame.

Get a Free Consultation From a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a Michigan car accident, don’t leave your financial recovery to chance. Even if you’re unsure whether you need a lawyer, taking advantage of a free consultation can provide clarity and help you understand your best options moving forward.

At LegalGenius, we have years of experience helping accident victims get the financial compensation they need after a serious car accident. We offer free case evaluations with no obligation, so you can get the legal advice you need without any upfront costs. To learn more, fill out our Ask the Genius™ form or call 1-800-209-4000 today.

Attorney Jeffrey Perlman

Attorney Jeffrey Perlamn is the managing partner at LegalGenius, PLLC. He has helped Metro Detroit accident victims recover the compensation they deserve for over 35 years. He believes everyone should have access to justice and the legal system, which is why Attorney Perlman spends his time outside of the courtroom writing informational blogs on the LegalGenius website that are accessible to all.