Ann Arbor Car Accidents

Car Accidents Attorney Serving Ann Arbor, Michigan

Motor vehicle accidents happen approximately every two minutes in Michigan, and car accident injuries occur about every nine minutes, making them a frequent hazard on the road. The damage car accidents cause goes beyond the vehicle damage and pain from injuries, possibly changing your routine or habits forever. Healing and recuperating from an auto accident is easier with support.

The seasoned Michigan car accident lawyers of Atnip & Associates, PLLC, know how challenging it can be to ask for help, but it’s your first step. For more than a decade, we’ve provided our clients with high-quality legal representation and rights protection. Our commitment to you is evident in how we handle your claim and pursue essential compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us today for your free consultation.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Knowing the root causes of accidents can help you prevent the likelihood of an injury and possibly save your life. This knowledge can also help pinpoint the person who is at fault for the crash and should compensate you for the harm they’ve caused. Frequent causes of car wrecks include:

Distracted Driving – Distracted drivers are dangerous to other motorists as it only takes a few seconds to cause an accident that could severely injure or kill someone. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distractions include anything that steals the driver’s attention from the road. It’s crucial to limit distractions to drive safely.
Speeding – Increased vehicle speed decreases the potential reaction time for drivers, and the collision force of a speeding vehicle can increase the severity of an injury that results from a crash.
Impaired Driving – Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol hinders judgment, impairs coordination, and reduces reaction time, increasing the possibility of an accident and grave injuries. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent, but according to Michigan law, you can face the consequences of impaired driving with any amount of alcohol in your blood.
Unsafe Lane Changes – Michigan law requires drivers to change lanes safely. That means drivers must check their blind spots for other motorists and should use turn signals to avoid potential collisions and maintain safety for themselves and other drivers. Failing to change lanes safely can cause vehicles in adjacent lanes to collide, causing painful injuries, extensive property damage and, in severe cases, death.

Various Car Accident Injuries

In serious injury accidents, you might require extensive medical care to recover fully. Serious injuries from a car crash can include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – Hitting your head forcefully against the steering wheel or dashboard could cause various head and brain injuries like concussions or contusions.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries – The force of a car accident can cause various back injuries and spinal trauma ranging from sprains and strains of muscles and ligaments to herniated discs and, sometimes, paralysis.
Organ Injuries – Blunt force can cause bleeding or bruising from internal organs like the kidneys, liver, or spleen. In some severe accidents, a sharp object might penetrate your body, rupturing your intestines and leading to potential infections and further internal damage.
Chest Injuries – Collisions, particularly front-end collisions, can result in bruised ribs, punctured lungs, heart damage, and painful soft tissue injuries.
Whiplash – The split-second jolt from behind, common in rear-end accidents, causes your neck to lean forward and snap back, causing immediate pain that can linger for weeks after the accident.
Broken Bones – Fractures in a car accident can range from invisible hairline fractures to compound fractures, where a broken bone punctures the skin. These breaks often require weeks to heal and potentially require physical therapy.

Michigan Car Accident Laws

All Michigan drivers must understand the rules of driving on Michigan roads to learn how it can affect them, particularly after a car accident. Some critical aspects of the state’s driving laws include:

No-Fault Insurance – Michigan is a ‘no-fault’ state. Michigan registered vehicle owners must carry no-fault insurance coverage to help cover medical bills, lost wages, and property damage after an accident. This insurance can provide coverage in the immediate aftermath of a car accident. Driving in Michigan without car insurance is illegal, and the consequences of breaking this Michigan auto law can lead to fines, driver’s license suspension, and even jail time.
Mandatory Car Accident Reports – Drivers must report car accidents that cause death, injury, or over $1,000 worth of property damage to law enforcement agencies like the Ann Arbor Police Department. These accident reports create a record of the accident, which is essential for building an injury claim and improving driver safety.
Statute of Limitations – Michigan’s statute of limitations for car accidents allows three years from the accident date for an injured person to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Missing this deadline can mean you won’t have the option to pursue compensation in court.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can seem overwhelming, and the thought of doing it alone might be unbearable. An auto crash injury attorney can help you with an accident claim by:

Gathering Evidence – Your attorney can collect evidence related to the crash, including accident reports, photos or videos of the crash site, proof of injuries and property damage, and medical records.
Filing a Claim – Your attorney can file your claim with the insurance company and make sure it’s complete and accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation.
Negotiating with Insurers – Insurance companies are for-profit businesses trying to reduce expenses by paying as little as possible. Your lawyer can handle all communications with the insurer, arguing for the compensation you deserve, not what an insurer thinks they can get by with paying. Pain and Suffering – Compensation for pain and suffering may cover physical pain as well as emotional anguish and mental health conditions that arise from or are exacerbated by the accident, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
Litigating at Trial – Your personal injury lawyer can present your case in court to pursue compensation if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful. Your lawyer will build a compelling case with evidence and witness testimony that can demonstrate how your injury affects your life and how much compensation you’re owed.

Possible Compensation After a Car Accident

You may experience different kinds of losses after a car accident, and your no-fault insurance coverage might not be enough to cover them entirely. You can pursue compensation to cover your accident-related losses, including:

Medical Expenses – Includes hospital stays, prescriptions, ER visits, and other past or future medical costs related to healing your injury.
Lost Wages – If your injury prevents you from working, you can include this missed income in your claim.
Loss of Future Earning Capacity – If your injury impairs your ability to perform necessary job requirements, it can reduce your employment opportunities, affecting your lifetime earning potential.
Pain and Suffering – Injuries cause persistent pain, and you can seek money for your pain and suffering.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life – You can pursue compensation if your injury impacts your ability to participate in previously enjoyed hobbies or activities.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Serving Ann Arbor, Michigan

At Atnip & Associates, PLLC, we have experience handling personal injury accidents and helping injured Michiganders pursue the compensation they deserve. Your case isn’t another pile of papers for us. It’s your life, and we want to support you however we can. It’s our privilege to work for you, and your first case evaluation is free. Call us today to learn how we can assist.