Upper Peninsula Car Accidents

Upper Michigan Car Accident Attorney

Were you hurt in a car crash in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? State law provides victim rights for those in your position. However, insurance companies can stack the deck against accident victims, making it hard for them to recover the full compensation they’re owed. Fight back with the help of Atnip & Associates, PLLC, and demand the money you need for your medical expenses, lost income, and other financial or personal losses.

No matter your background, insurers shouldn’t take advantage of you. We’re proud to represent people who need a vigorous advocate, and we are ready to fight for your right to accountability and financial recovery following a devastating car crash. Contact us now for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer, and let’s start rebuilding your life today.

Why Choose Atnip & Associates, PLLC, for Legal Representation?

Pursuing financial recovery after a car crash can be a stressful experience. Insurers will do everything possible to minimize their financial liability for your injuries, and they’ve dedicated serious resources to the task. Fortunately, you can level the playing field with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

For years, car accident victims have trusted the legal team at Atnip & Associates, PLLC, to help them navigate the claims process because of our:

Experience: Our lawyers have spent more than eight decades combined representing injury victims in the Upper Peninsula and across Michigan. Our extensive experience has given us the in-depth knowledge and unique insights to handle the challenges that can arise in car accident claims.
Dedicated client service: We believe that success in a car accident claim involves more than simply recovering compensation for our clients. Instead, we strive to make a difference in our clients’ lives and futures. You can expect a personal touch and responsive communication, so you feel supported throughout the recovery process.
Reputation for success: Our award-winning attorneys have earned the respect of other lawyers and judges in courtrooms throughout Michigan. Our peers respect us for our tenacious approach to advocating for our clients’ interests. We work tirelessly to craft tailored case strategies and legal solutions to help our clients pursue favorable outcomes in their cases.

Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Many auto accidents in the Upper Peninsula occur because of a driver’s negligent or reckless behavior. Common causes of car wrecks include:

Speeding
Driving too fast for conditions
Tailgating/following too closely
Disregarding traffic lights/signs
Failing to yield the right of way
Failing to signal or check mirrors before turning or changing lanes
Making illegal or unsafe lane changes, passes, or turns
Distracted driving
Drunk or drugged driving
Drowsy/fatigued driving
Reckless driving, including excessive speeding, street racing, or weaving in and out of traffic

Proving Fault for Car Accidents

The success of your car accident claim will depend on the quality of the evidence you can assemble to support it. At Atnip & Associates, PLLC, we build compelling catastrophic injury cases arising from car crashes using evidence such as:

Police crash reports
Accident scene photos, including of skid marks, vehicle damage, traffic controls, and road conditions
Surveillance/traffic camera or dashcam footage
Eyewitness accounts
Drivers’ cell phone records
Car computer data logs
Vehicle maintenance/repair records
Post-accident vehicle inspections

In some cases, our firm will work with accident reconstruction experts to help us persuasively explain what happened in a car crash and identify the party or parties responsible for causing it.

Can You File a Claim If You Share Some Responsibility for the Crash?

In Michigan, the law allows you to file a car accident claim even if you bear some of the fault for the crash. However, the rule states that the court must reduce any awarded financial recovery in proportion to your percentage of fault for the accident. Furthermore, if your share of fault exceeds that of the other responsible party or parties, you may lose the right to recover compensation for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. If insurance companies try to avoid liability by blaming you for the crash, you need experienced legal representation who can fight back to maximize your financial recovery.

Compensation for Injuries Sustained in a Car Accident

Michigan uses a no-fault insurance system for car accidents. Injured drivers and passengers first turn to their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance for coverage, regardless of who is at fault. PIP will pay for lifetime medical expenses incurred to treat a motor vehicle injury and up to three years of lost wages and incidental expenses, up to the policy limits.

However, when accident victims suffer severe injuries or permanent disfigurement, they may have the right to file a lawsuit against the driver at fault for the crash. Doing so allows them to pursue financial recovery for expenses or losses such as:

Car repair expenses or reimbursement of your car’s value if the accident totaled it
Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses
Costs of long-term disability care and other replacement services
Lost wages/income from missed work
Ongoing and future losses of earning capacity and employment benefits
Pain and suffering

What Should You Do After Suffering a Motor Vehicle Injury?

After a car accident, you can take the following steps to safeguard your rights and start building a strong case:

Notify your car insurance company about the accident, but do not initiate your claim until you’ve spoken to an attorney.
Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations and recovery instructions. Do not put off medical care or rehabilitation for your injuries.
Request copies of the medical records from your treatment.
Obtain a copy of the police crash report.
Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts for expenses arising from the accident, including medical treatments or vehicle repairs.
Gather your pay stubs or income statements to document your lost income or future earning capacity.

Finally, contact a personal injury lawyer with Atnip & Associates, PLLC, promptly to request your free consultation. Bring the evidence you’ve gathered with you to help them review your case in detail.

How Long Do You Have to File Injury Claims After a Car Accident?

Michigan’s statute of limitations typically requires you to file any car accident lawsuit within three years of a crash. However, if the accident occurred due to the negligence of a government employee, you might have less time to file. Finally, the law requires you to notify your car insurance company of your injuries within a year of the car accident to maintain eligibility for PIP benefits. Given the potentially short deadlines for filing injury claims for a car accident, you need to act fast. Protect your rights by talking to an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to help you file your claims on time.

Contact Atnip & Associates, PLLC, to Learn How Our Injury Attorneys Can Help

If you’ve been hurt in a car wreck in the Upper Peninsula, you could be owed money for what you’ve suffered. Contact Atnip & Associates, PLLC, today for a free, no-obligation consultation to get the legal advice you need to make informed decisions as you pursue compensation and justice from those at fault for the car accident that injured you.