Sterling Heights Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Cases We Handle

When you or a loved one suffer injuries or other harm due to someone else’s negligence, you should seek legal counsel to protect your rights. At LegalGenius, we have a team of dedicated and experienced personal injury attorneys who will fight for you in a variety of personal injury cases. We specialize in the following types of personal injury cases.

How Can A Sterling Heights Injury Lawyer Help You?

The time after an injury is a stressful period for accident victims. Your focus should be on recovering and finding a new normal in your life, not navigating the legal system to seek fair compensation. Having a personal injury attorney on your side not only alleviates additional stress, it also leads to better results in your case and higher settlements compared to cases where injury victims chose not to use an attorney. An attorney will do the hard work in your case, including:

• Identify the party at fault: The first thing you need to know in a personal injury case is who can be held responsible and who you need to file a claim against. Sometimes this is straightforward, but sometimes you may be unsure who you should sue, or there may be multiple parties who can be held responsible. For example, in the case of a truck accident, you may be able to file against the truck driver, the employer of the truck driver, and/or the manufacturer of the truck depending on the details of your case. An attorney will advise you on the best course of action and what sources of compensation may be available to you. 
• Investigate your case: In order to receive the maximum amount of compensation, you need a strong case built up. Your attorney will collect evidence such as photos of the scene of the accident, witness statements, surveillance footage, and more. Evidence will tell the story of your accident and show the facts of the case clearly to strengthen your claim.
• Collect expert opinions: In some cases, it’s important to have expert opinions and testimonies as supplemental evidence. Our attorneys have access to experts in a variety of fields, including medical, financial, and engineering experts. These experts can be brought in when necessary to provide necessary information. 
• Negotiate a settlement: Your attorney will communicate and negotiate directly with other parties and your insurance company on your behalf to get you full compensation. 
• Provide representation in court: If we’re unable to negotiate a fair settlement outside of court, your personal injury lawyer will take your case to trial and provide representation for you.

Navigating the legal system can be confusing and complicated. Let an experienced attorney navigate the system for you so you can receive compensation as quickly as possible.

Damages You Could Recover From Your Injury

In Michigan, residents are able to recover both economic and non-economic damages resulting from personal injury cases. You can collect economic damages caused by someone else’s negligence for costs such as:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages
• Lost earnings potential
• Caregiving expenses
• Property damage

Non-economic damages are compensation given for intangible, non-monetary losses that have an impact on your quality of life. These damages can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Humiliation or damage to reputation
• Loss of enjoyment in activities
• Loss of companionship

The damages you will be able to recover depend on the details of your case and the actual losses you have suffered. A personal injury attorney will help determine what your case could be worth as they review your details. We’ll ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses and never settle for less than you deserve.

How To Determine Who Is At Fault

An individual or an entity (such as a company or organization) that contributed to your injury can be held liable for harm that was caused to you. This could include:

• A vehicle driver
• A commercial vehicle driver
• The employer of a commercial vehicle driver
• A product manufacturer
• A landlord or property manager
• A government municipality
• A business or property owner
• A nursing home
• A doctor or healthcare worker
• A pet owner

Any person or group whose negligence caused you harm should be held accountable for their actions or failure to act appropriately. This list is not exhaustive, and a personal injury attorney can help you determine who should be held liable in your particular case.

What To Do After An Accident In Sterling Heights To Protect Your Rights

Most people will feel disoriented and confused when an accident occurs, and starting a legal battle may not be the first thing on your mind. However, there are certain steps you should take immediately after an accident to protect your rights so that you can be fairly compensated later. Take the following steps as soon as you can:

1. Call the police: A police report is a vital piece of documentation to have after an accident. The police who respond to the scene will gather information and speak with witnesses, creating valuable evidence that can be used later in a legal case. Ask for the names and badge numbers of the police officers who respond.
2. Gather evidence: If you’re able, take down as much information as possible immediately after the accident. This could include taking photos of the scene and any damage you can see to document conditions. Exchange contact information with other parties involved or any witnesses at the scene. If your injuries prevent you from gathering evidence, see if a family member or friend can collect evidence for you.
3. Don’t admit fault: When speaking to the police or to other parties involved in the incident, avoid making statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault. This could be used against you later to minimize the compensation you can claim. As much as possible, stick to objective facts about the incident and let professionals determine fault later. 
4. Seek medical attention: Get treatment for any injuries, and even if you feel fine, get checked out to be sure as some injuries are not immediately apparent. Medical records of your injuries can also become evidence later. 
5. Keep documentation of your injuries and medical treatment: Keep a record of all medical treatments and expenses related to your accident, including doctor visits, prescriptions, physical therapy, and any other treatments you undergo. This will prove the extent of your damages.
6. Consult a personal injury attorney: Contact a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your attorney will help you understand your legal rights and advise you on any steps that should be taken to protect your rights. An experienced attorney will guide you through the legal process so that you can be fairly compensated for the damages you’ve suffered. 

Taking steps starting immediately after an accident occurs can protect your rights and significantly strengthen your case as you negotiate a settlement or go to court.

Statute Of Limitations For Injury Cases In Sterling Heights

The statute of limitations on injury cases is set at a state level. For Sterling Heights and the rest of Michigan, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule. The situations where you have more than three years to make a claim are:

• When the victim is in a state of mental derangement at the time of the incident. The victim has one year to file a claim after the period of mental derangement has ended. 
• If the victim is under the age of 18 when the incident occurs, they will have until their 19th birthday to file a claim.
• If the negligent party leaves the state after the accident and is absent for more than two months, the period when they are gone will not count towards the three-year time limit. 

Three years may sound like a long time, but this time will go fast, and time is needed to build a strong legal case. We recommend that you get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury to ensure your case has plenty of time to be filed before the deadline.

Why Work With LegalGenius For Your Injury Case?

The time after you’ve been in an accident or been harmed due to someone’s negligence can be both frustrating and painful. You want to work with someone who is compassionate and who will fight hard for your best interests. While many personal injury lawyers in the Sterling Heights area have a history of success, not many have both of these qualities as well. When you work with the LegalGenius team, you get the best of both worlds and access to a team of attorneys with over 100 years of combined experience. We have a record for success and will not leave anything on the table. 

We know that fighting a legal battle can be stressful, and we care about your well-being as we work through your case. Our outstanding customer service starts when you have your initial consultation, and you’ll be able to reach your attorney any time when you have questions or concerns. We’ll keep you updated on the progress of your case so you’re not left in the dark, and we ensure that you feel like a person and not just a case number.

Get Your Legal Questions Answered

Do you have questions about a recent accident you were involved in? Do you need help understanding your legal rights? Talk to a personal injury attorney at LegalGenius to get your legal questions answered. We offer free initial consultations with our Sterling Heights lawyers to help you understand your rights and determine the best course of action. You can schedule your free consultation by calling 800-209-4000 or by filling out our Ask the Genius™ form.