Ypsilanti is a busy city with a great academic campus and burgeoning downtown. The city also has a lot of car traffic, bicycle riders and pedestrians. Sometimes, a negligent driver fails to pay attention and causes a bad collision. When this happens, the injuries can be life changing. The Ypsilanti car accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm have served the Ypsilanti community and Washtenaw County for 50 years.
Our team of fearless Ypsilanti personal injury attorneys take the burden off our clients and have recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts.
Why Call the Lee Steinberg Law Firm After a Ypsilanti Car Accident?
After sustaining a serious personal injury caused by a car accident, you need a law firm that specializes in car accidents, especially in the Ypsilanti area.
- We have received recognition throughout the state. Our Ypsilanti car accident attorneys have been selected as Michigan “Super Lawyers” numerous times.
- We meet with each of our clients and walk them through the process every step of the way. We explain the law and keep our clients updated throughout the process.
- We are not afraid to take cases to trial if needed.
- Our firm only focuses on personal injury law, and our clients are only the injured and their families. We never represent insurance companies or their clients.
- We handle all Ypsilanti car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay anything until we win your case.
The Lee Steinberg Law Firm understands the complexities of auto accident cases, the defenses insurance companies come up with, how to get Michigan no-fault benefits, and how to get the most for your pain and suffering.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer After a Ypsilanti Car Accident?Â
Most of the time, a car accident in Ypsilanti only involves minor damage and no injuries. However, if the crash is serious and an injury occurs, an experienced Ypsilanti car accident lawyer is a good person to turn to ensure you don’t get taken advantage of by the insurance company.
A knowledgeable car accident attorney can help you open a claim for first-party benefits, as well as obtain money for the pain and suffering resulting from your injuries.
Insurance companies try to take advantage of individuals who are not experts and don’t understand the claims process. They often try to lowball an injured person to get them to settle fast and cheap. The insurance company will do this by promising to send a check immediately. But in return, the injured person gives up all their rights and often gets pennies on the dollar.
It is important to consult with a great Ypsilanti car accident lawyer who knows the tricks of the trade and how car insurance companies act. Just as importantly, you need a Ypsilanti auto accident law firm that will consistently keep you updated on your case and has a history of obtaining large dollar settlements for clients.
How Pays My Medical Bills and Lost Wages?Â
In Michigan, there are specific rules that lay out who pays for the medical bills and lost wages following an auto accident. This is called the Michigan No-Fault law. The law has been in effect since the early 1970s and is quite complicated.
Under the law, in general your own auto insurance carrier pays medical bills from the crash up to your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage limit. This is the case even if your car had nothing to do with the crash. If the injured person has private health insurance like Blue Cross, HAP, or Blue Care Network, then the private insurance carrier may pay first, with auto insurance paying anything left over. However, every policy is different.
What if I Don’t Have Auto Insurance?Â
If you don’t have auto insurance, you can still make a claim for payment of medical bills through another car insurance company. Sometimes an injured person must use the insurance of a relative they live with. If there is no insurance in the household, then a claim must be filed with the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP). The Plan is run by the auto industry through the state and guarantees up to $250,000 in benefits. Our team of Ypsilanti car accident lawyers can explain who is responsible and how to set up a claim.
As for lost wages, again your own auto insurance company is responsible for paying 85% of gross wages lost due to the crash. This benefit lasts for 3 years. Again, if you don’t have auto insurance, in most situations another carrier is responsible for the payment of lost wages.
There is one major exception. If you are the owner of the uninsured motor vehicle involved in the crash, then you cannot make a claim for first-party benefits like medical bills or lost wages. MCL 500.3113(b).
Common Causes of Ypsilanti Auto Accidents
As you can imagine, distracted driving is a very common cause of car accidents in Michigan. Some of the most common forms of negligence leading to car accident injuries include:
- Texting while driving or using a cell phone
- Speeding
- Drinking and driving or driving under the influence of drugs
- Reckless driving
- Running a red light or yellow light
- Failing to yield
- Improper lane change
- Cutting off another driver
- T-bone accidents
What is the Statute of Limitation in Michigan for a Car Accident?
It depends on the type of case. In most situations, you have 3 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit against the proper defendants. If you wait too long, then you may forever lose your right to obtain pain and suffering compensation from the auto accident.
However, the statute of limitations for unpaid first-party benefits can be as short as one year. If the car insurance company is not paying medical bills or lost wages, and the expenses are piling up, it is important to contact a really good Ypsilanti car accident law firm to protect yourself.
How Long Does My Case Take?
Every case is different, but it really depends on whether a lawsuit is required or not. Often, our law firm can get full policy limits following a car accident without having to file a lawsuit in court. In fact, we do this quite often. When this happens, sometimes cases can be resolved in a matter of a few months.
But if the insurance company is not playing fair, and is not offering enough money, then a lawsuit is necessary. If the crash occurs in Ypsilanti, the lawsuit is filed in Washtenaw County Circuit Court in downtown Ann Arbor.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?Â
This is one of the first questions people ask us when they call our law firm. However, no two cases are the same, so it’s difficult to determine how much your case may be worth without first reviewing all of the details.
The value of your case depends on several factors. These include the severity of your injuries, the amount of medical treatment, work loss, medical bills, and the impact the injuries have had on your daily life. Call our office today to find out more information.
Contact a Winning Ypsilanti Car Accident Lawyer
For 50 years, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm has helped people injured due to the negligence of another driver win their cases and get the monetary compensation they demand.
Our Ypsilanti car accident lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions for our clients. We know how to get the most money after the severe and life-changing injuries caused by a Ypsilanti car accident.
Call us at 1-800-LEE-FREE for a free consultation or fill out a contact form today. We never charge anything until we win your case.
