Pontiac Car Accident Attorneys

Pursuing Justice and Fair Compensation for Personal Injury Victims

No one ever wants to imagine they will be injured in an auto accident. However, the Pontiac, MI area sees more than its fair share of yearly accident cases.

An automobile accident can result in victims being forced to pay huge medical bills and deal with lost wages due to their inability to return to work. Some auto accidents are so severe that accident victims suffer catastrophic injuries leaving them permanently injured and quickly creating a financial crisis for them and their families.

Sadly, even when a victim has sustained devastating life-changing injuries, many insurance providers often try to delay, deny, or undervalue claims.

For this reason, it is always wise for auto accident victims to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer who can assist them with the claims process.

A Pontiac car accident lawyer can thoroughly assess your case and deal with the insurance company so that you can rest and focus on healing. Additionally, a car accident lawyer can determine appropriate damages and formulate a legal strategy to meet your needs.

If you or a family member have been injured, contact Bashore Green Law Group in Pontiac, Michigan, and ask to schedule a free consultation today with an experienced car accident lawyer who can answer your legal questions.

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer to Help File a Personal Injury Claim?

Many car accident victims who sustain personal injuries often try to file claims unassisted. However, many injured victims quickly realize that filing personal injury claims is more challenging than they anticipated.

There are several reasons why individuals who have suffered car accident injuries must always hire an attorney, which include:

In-Depth Knowledge of Personal Injury Law

Auto accident attorneys have comprehensive experience with personal injury law which can be overly confusing, especially if there are issues determining liability. Car accident lawyers typically have dealt with numerous other auto collision cases and know what it takes to achieve favorable client results.

Experience Dealing With Insurance Companies

One of the most significant advantages of hiring a car accident lawyer is they are proficient in dealing with insurance companies. Insurers are often more willing to negotiate with an attorney than they are with individuals attempting to handle claims independently. As a result, most people who hire attorneys to help them with personal injury cases receive greater compensation than those who choose not to have legal representation.

Thorough Evaluation of Your Claim

Car accident lawyers have the added benefit of experience when evaluating the worth of claims. A lawyer will analyze all the components involved in the accident to determine a settlement amount that meets a client’s needs. An accurate determination of what a claim is worth is crucial during the negotiation process to ensure the insurance provider does not try to minimize compensation.

Legal Representation Should the Case Go to Court

Most accident victims are unaware that most personal injury cases are settled out of court through negotiations. However, when the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate a fair settlement, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit to try and recover financial compensation. A personal injury lawyer will act as a legal advocate in court for the accident victim to protect their legal rights and fight to help them recover a settlement that is in their best interest.

If you have suffered injuries in a car accident, contact our law firm to schedule a meeting with a Pontiac personal injury lawyer who will gladly sit down with you to discuss your case.

What is Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Law?

Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws are designed so that neither party is considered to be at fault for an auto accident. However, no-fault insurance laws can be overly complex and confusing for accident victims to sort through on their own.

Under Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws, anyone injured in a car accident will turn to their own insurance company for compensation for medical bills and lost wages. Specifically, car accident victims can make a claim against their personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to recover compensation.

PIP insurance typically provides between $250,000 to $500,000 in coverage. Additionally, Michigan motorists do have the option of purchasing unlimited PIP insurance policies.

However, if the medical bills and other accident-related expenses exceed the policyholder’s PIP coverage, they will be able to sue the at-fault driver in a third-party lawsuit for payment of “excess” medical expenses.

Michigan law requires drivers to carry third-party insurance, more commonly referred to as bodily injury liability insurance. This liability insurance pays for the excess medical expenses not covered by the injured party’s PIP policy but, more importantly, compensates victims for damages such as pain and suffering and lost wages.

Michigan drivers must carry $50,000 bodily injury liability insurance per person, $100,000 per accident, and $10,000 in property liability insurance.

If drivers fail to purchase the minimum amount of insurance ads stipulated by Michigan law, they are at risk of having their license suspended for 30 days or until they can produce proof of insurance. Drivers may also be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, a year in jail, or both.

If you have been injured in an auto accident and need more information about Michigan’s no-fault insurance law, contact Bashore Green Law Group immediately. A qualified legal team member will be happy to answer your questions regarding no-fault law and determine how we may be able to assist you.

Why Do Most Car Accidents Occur in the Pontiac Area?

Just as with any other large metropolitan area, Pontiac, MI, is not without its fair share of auto accidents. One of the most dangerous intersections in Pontiac includes Huron Street at Woodward Avenue, the site of the yearly Woodward Dream Cruise that hosts hot rods that cruise down to Detroit.

However, with the amount of other traffic that uses Woodward Ave to enter the Pontiac area, the area is often home to dangerous accidents resulting in severe injuries.

Some other common reasons why car accidents occur not just in Pontiac but also in Oakland County include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving while impaired
• Driving while fatigued
• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Tailgating
• Adverse weather conditions
• Failure to yield or obey traffic laws

However, of all of the factors that can lead to auto accidents, one of the most preventable is distracted driving. When most people hear the term “distracted driving,” they think of texting while operating a motor vehicle. Although using a cell phone while driving is a serious hazard, this is not the only form of distracted driving.

In our modern age, many drivers are distracted by their GPS, car entertainment systems, or passengers and fail to pay attention to what is happening on the road. As a result, collisions occur, causing accident victims to have to deal with medical expenses and emotional trauma.

No one ever wants to be injured, but when accidents occur, it is best to hire a Michigan personal injury lawyer to seek compensation for your injuries and other damages.

What are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents?

Individuals who have been involved in auto accidents can sustain a wide range of injuries, from mild bruising to catastrophic injuries. Depending on the factors involved in the accident, injured victims may sustain little to no injuries or life-changing injuries that quickly create a financial crisis for them and their families.

Low Speed Collisions

A common misconception is that low-speed collisions do not cause severe injuries. However, low-speed injuries can cause significant injuries that require medical treatment.

Injuries sustained in low-speed collisions often include whiplash, facial injuries, and back and shoulder injuries. Low-speed collisions often result in accident victims suffering lumbar injuries and herniated discs that can be painful and take a considerable amount of time to heal.

High Speed Collisions

Accident victims who are injured in high-speed collisions suffer severe injuries that often take weeks, months, or even longer to heal properly. Some of the most common high-speed auto accident injuries include:

• Fractured bones
• Head, neck, and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Chest injuries
• Concussions

In extreme cases, auto accident victims may sustain catastrophic injuries that leave them permanently disabled and in need of skilled nursing care. Catastrophic injuries may include:

• Paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Amputations
• Severe burns

Sadly, even when a victim suffers severe injuries due to another person’s negligence, the insurance company will try to minimize the extent of the harm they have suffered to reduce the settlement.

However, Bashore Green Law Group has experienced attorneys who are familiar with the unscrupulous tactics that insurers try to utilize to avoid large payouts.

Contact our law firm and ask to schedule an appointment with a Pontiac attorney who can assess your legal needs.

Can Your Pontiac Car Accident Attorneys Help Me Recover Compensation After I Was Injured in a Car Accident?

Bashore Green Law Group is dedicated to helping car accident victims seek justice for the harm they have suffered due to another person’s carelessness. Michigan law allows car accident victims to try and recover economic and non-economic damages after being injured.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are awarded to car accident victims to compensate them for out-of-pocket expenses they have incurred. Although economic damages may vary based on the circumstances of the accident, there are several that are commonly awarded and may include:

• Past and current medical bills, including costs for physical therapy and rehabilitation.
• Lost wages due to your inability to work.
• Loss of income if you are unable to perform the same type of work you did before you were injured.
• Property damage to repair or replace your car.

Additionally, if you suffered catastrophic injuries, you may be able to recover a financial settlement that will pay for continuing medical treatment and costs related to modifying your home or vehicle to accommodate medical equipment such as a wheelchair

Non-Economic Damages

Michigan law allows car accident victims the right to pursue compensation for non-economic damages. However, non-economic damages are subjective and based on the events that led up to the crash.

Some of the most commonly awarded non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life if you are no longer able to enjoy the same activities you participated in before being injured.
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disfigurement and scarring.

Exemplary Damages

In other states, car accident victims may be able to recover punitive damages in addition to economic and non-economic damages. However, Michigan differs from other states as state law does not allow victims to recover punitive damages that are meant to punish the wrongdoer and send a warning to others not to repeat the same behavior.

Instead, accident victims may be able to recover exemplary damages, which allows them to recover more compensation than what was awarded in the compensatory damages. It should be known that exemplary damages are rare, and only a skilled accident lawyer can evaluate the case to determine if they are appropriate for your case.

Several factors are examined when determining financial compensation for car injury victims. A Pontiac car accident lawyer from Bashore Green Law Group can review the unique circumstances involved in the case and determine what types of damages are applicable.

What Makes Your Pontiac Personal Injury Attorney the Best Choice to Handle My Car Accident Claim?

Bashore Green Law Group of Pontiac, MI, is a trial law firm dedicated to helping citizens of Oakland County recover maximum compensation for their car accident injuries. Our Pontiac car accident attorneys have comprehensive experience handling personal injury claims and would be honored to assist you.

When we agree to take your case, we will conduct our own investigation to ensure the insurance company does not try to downplay your injuries. We also have the resources to call on expert witnesses and accident reconstructionists to build and strengthen your claim.

Additionally, often there are legal issues related to determining who should be held liable for the crash. Our law firm is fearless when it comes to standing up for our clients.

Unlike other law firms that encourage clients to take quick settlements so they can collect legal fees, Bashore Green Law Group fights to help clients receive the fair treatment and financial compensation they deserve. As a result, you will pay no fees unless we win your case.

Contact Bashore Green Law Group at 248-838-0635 and ask to schedule a free consultation with a Pontiac car accident lawyer who can answer your questions and determine what legal strategies will suit your needs.