Frequently Asked Questions: What Do You Need To Know About Michigan Personal Injury Claims?

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it’s likely the last thing you want to think about is the legal process. It can be overwhelming and confusing, especially while you’re already juggling medical appointments, lost income, and uncertainty about your future. That’s why our personal injury law office is committed to not only fighting for justice, but also to answering your every question clearly and compassionately.

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from clients throughout Michigan. We hope this helps you understand your rights, the legal process, and how we can support you every step of the way.

What constitutes a personal injury claim?

A personal injury claim arises when you are hurt by someone else’s negligence—whether that someone else be another person, business, or entity. In other words, if you have suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm due to someone else’s wrongful conduct, you may have a personal injury claim.

Some common examples include:

• A property owner failing to remove ice from walkway, causing you to slip,

• A distracted driver causing a motor vehicle accident,

• A doctor providing substandard care, causing you further injuries,

• A manufacturer releasing a defective product, which goes on to harm you,

• An employer ignoring workplace safety, causing you to be injured

At its core, a personal injury claim seeks compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. That can include your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, just give us a call. We are always happy to review your circumstance to see if we can help.

What types of cases do we handle?

Our office handles all types of personal injury claims. These include, but are not limited to:

• Auto accidents—including car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian collisions

• Slip and falls

• General negligence claims

• Dog bites

• Medical malpractice

• Product defect claims

• Social Security disability matters

• Workers’ compensation claims

• Workplace injustice and discrimination

If you don’t see your specific situation listed, don’t worry. This is not an exhaustive list as personal injury law covers many different types of harm. We’re always willing to talk through your situation to see if we can help. Please just give us a call at (855) 529-6424.

What will this cost?

Most clients are relieved to learn that we do not require any upfront payment. Our office operates on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• You do not pay a retainer fee.

• The attorney fee is one-third of the net recovery—that is, one-third of the amount recovered after deducting case costs—but only if you win.

We believe that everyone should have access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. The contingency fee structure ensures that you can pursue your claim without worrying about paying out of pocket for an attorney fee. It also aligns our interests with yours—maximizing your compensation also maximizes ours.

What is a statute of limitations?

If you’ve called an attorney, you’ve probably heard this term “statute of limitations” thrown around. If you have not called an attorney, and have not heard it, it is still really important to know what this means. A statute of limitations is a legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. Once this deadline passes, you may lose your right to bring your claim to court, no matter how strong your claim is.

The statute of limitations varies depending on the type of case, and some types have additional notice requirements or shorter deadlines.

For example, a case involving a governmental agency—such as a city-owned property or a government vehicle—often has a very short notice requirement, sometimes as little as 60 or 120 days. Missing these deadlines can completely bar your claim.

This is why contacting an attorney as soon as possible is critical. From our fist call, we will work to identify every relevant deadline and ensure your claim is protected.

How long does this process take?

The length of a personal injury case varies widely depending on the facts and how quickly you receive medical treatment.

Generally, the timeline is broken down in two sections:

1. Initial treatment and investigation.

Before filing a lawsuit, we need enough information to understand your injuries and build up your damages claim. This stage may take several months, especially if you are still undergoing treatment, because we need the corresponding medical records.

2. Filing the lawsuit.

Once we have sufficient evidence, we can file your case. From that point, we tell our clients to expect the lawsuit process to take approximately 15 months, though some cases move faster and others take longer. This is due to court assigned deadlines and court ordered conferences, sometimes mediation or facilitation, and potentially a trial.

We are always upfront with our clients: personal injury cases take time, and we don’t want to give false expectations. Our goal is to resolve your matter as efficiently as possible while still pursuing full and fair compensation.

Will I need to go to court?

Most personal injury cases settle without ever going to a trial. However, there are certain mandatory appearances you will likely need to attend throughout the process.

• These may include:

• Independent medical exams (IMEs)

• Depositions

• Facilitations or mediations

• Settlement conferences

• Examinations under oath (EUO), depending on the type of claim

We have covered many of these in detail in a previous blog post, but rest assured: we fully prepare you for every appearance and explain what to expect.

What do I need to do to get started?

Getting started is simple—just call us. We’ll listen carefully to what happened and discuss next steps. There is no cost to speak with us, and no obligation.

How can I help you with my case?

There are several things you can do to help strengthen your case and ensure we can advocate for you effectively:

• Provide all information, documents, and evidence you have—including photos, videos, medical records, bills, witness names, or correspondence.

• Be honest and thorough when telling us what happened.

• Keep us updated on new symptoms, treatments, or changes in your condition.

Simply put, the more information we have, the better we can protect your claim and fight for you.

Conclusion

If you have further questions—or if you believe you have a personal injury claim—we are here to help. Contact us today.