Category: Uncategorized

Getting into an accident introduces you to a myriad of legal complexities that you were not prepared for and others that you might not know how to handle.

A car accident report is a document that the police prepare after visiting and assessing an accident scene. It contains details like drivers’ information, location, date, injuries, and other resulting damages, road conditions, weather conditions, eyewitness information, the at-fault party if possible to identify, and so on.

Learn how to get a police report for a crash and how reviewing it with the help of a car accident attorney can ensure your rights are protected.

How to Obtain a Police Report

There are several ways you can use to get a police report after a car accident:

• Requesting the document from the Michigan State Police or local police department where the accident took place
• Downloading it from services like the state’s Traffic Crash Purchasing System or LexisNexis for police reports
• Your car accident lawyer can also obtain the document on your behalf as they gather evidence to build your case.

What to Do After Getting the Report

After collecting the report, you might be tempted to file for compensation right away. This can cost you dearly.

The next thing to do after obtaining a police report is to review it, ideally with a legal professional. It’s not uncommon for such documents to contain errors, both factual and opinion-based, which can later affect your chances of being fully compensated. The truth is that even the reporting officer did not directly witness the accident, meaning that they are prone to making mistakes due to a misunderstanding.

If the information on the report is inaccurate, you can have it changed by presenting your evidence to show how the accident truly happened.

Why Is a Police Car Accident Report Important?

Even though a police report cannot stand as evidence, an attorney can use that information to strengthen your case or determine the potentially liable parties.

Most insurance companies are also likely to delay and end up denying your claim for cases without a filed report. This means that you might miss out on the no-fault insurance benefits that you qualify for, including medical expenses and lost wages.

Should you decide to file a mini-tort claim, the insurance provider representing the party at fault is likely to require evidence that the accident was reported as well. In cases where the victim is too injured to document the scene, a report provides this information, including eyewitness contacts.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

A police car accident report is one of the many legal documents that you’ll need to pursue compensation successfully, even from your auto insurance provider. At Pazner, Havens, and Slingwein, Attorneys at Law, our goal is to help you in every way possible to win your case and get the full justice that you deserve.

If you have more questions concerning your crash, get in touch with one of our car accident lawyers for answers and a case review. Call 313-822-2244 or fill out our contact form to get started.

If you are in Michigan and have been involved in an accident that resulted in injuries, then you are most likely not only suffering from physical but financial damages as well. Medical care is expensive. The worse the injury, the greater your financial loss will be.

When someone causes severe losses like these, you may need help learning more about the negligence laws impacting your case. Reach out to an attorney to learn more about how these laws can impact the value and details of your claim.

Importance of Negligence Laws

Negligence law states that those who cause accidents with their carelessness may be held financially responsible for that carelessness. For example, if someone is texting while driving, they may be held liable for any injuries if they cause a car accident.

The main reason that negligence laws exist is to provide financial relief to people who have been the victims of negligence by another person or party. They exist so that others are aware of their duties to obey the law and abide by these duties.

Michigan law states that you can sue for negligence until three years after the accident. But as time goes by it might be more difficult to build your case. Our firm can help you act quickly and file your claim on time.

Comparative Negligence Laws in Michigan

In Michigan, negligence laws include comparative negligence statutes, which may impact your claim. When you have been injured and filed a personal injury claim, you need to prove more than the other party’s negligence. You’ll need to prove you weren’t negligent yourself, or at least less negligent than the other party.

For example, you may have been struck by a careless driver while on a walk. But the at-fault driver may claim you were crossing the street without looking. Your lawyer can help you prove you weren’t at fault, or were less at fault, and file a claim for your injuries.

Eligibility under Michigan Negligence Laws

But how do you know the other party was negligent and that you’re owed compensation for their carelessness? Here are some things that you must prove for eligibility, so you can get compensated:

•     The defendant must have owed you a duty of care
•     The defendant must have failed in some way to meet that duty
•     If not for the defendant, you wouldn’t have been injured
•     The defendant’s failure of their duty directly resulted in your injury
•     You must have been hurt and suffered some kind of loss

Struggling to prove you’re eligible for a Detroit personal injury lawsuit? Reach out to an attorney for the guidance you need to prove the at-fault party was negligent. We’re here to represent you during this difficult time.

Reach Out for a Personal Injury Lawyer

When you’re harmed because someone was careless, their actions may have left you suffering for years after the accident. That makes your life more difficult, all because they were careless.

The lawyers at Pazner, Havens, and Slingwein, Attorneys at Law are here to help you get justice for your suffering. If you’ve been hurt because a Michigan resident was careless, reach out for a free consultation. Give us a call at 313-822-2244 or complete the online contact form below.

If you have been in an accident, you might be wondering what the process is for filing an injury claim. You will need to make sure you get the paperwork in order and contact the insurance company as soon as possible after being in an accident. Filing a claim will depend on the extent of the damage, the value of your vehicle, and the type of car insurance you have. 

Filing a Claim

If the repairs and expenses will exceed the out-of-pocket deductible, you always need to file a claim. On average, deductibles will cost you between $500 and $2,000. Filing a claim when you exceed the deductible will allow you to get the money you need to pay for the rest of your damages. 

While filing a claim isn’t necessary for lower-cost repairs, you might want to consider filing a claim anyway. Your injuries might need more care in the future. If you didn’t file a claim, your insurance will not recognize the damage in the future, and you will have to pay for all the damage. 

Financing the Car 

If you are still paying off the loan on the car, you will need to file a claim with the insurance. Most auto loan contracts require you to file claims even when there are minor accidents that are less than the deductible. 

If law enforcement submits an accident report, the auto loan company will always receive a copy of the report, so it’s better you file a claim before that happens. 

Car Accident Claims and Injuries 

Anytime there is an injury in the accident, you have to file a claim. This will allow you and the other person to get the medical care and emergency visits you need. 

If you don’t file a claim when there are injuries, you will also have to pay your medical bills at your own expense. If you end up having issues in the future or need physical therapy, you will have to pay all these expenses since the injury was never claimed with car insurance. 

At-Fault Accidents 

If you are found to be at fault for the accident, the liability coverage of your insurance will pay for medical bills and property damage for the other parties that were involved in the accident. It will also cover any legal expenses resulting from the accident.

Get Ahold of a Lawyer for Help Filing an Accident Claim

If you have been in an accident and need help filing a claim, call Pazner, Havens, and Slingwein, Attorneys at Law at 313-822-2244. You can also fill out the following online form to contact us. 

After an accident, your injuries, medical bills, and lost income can take a major toll on your life—to say nothing of the emotional trauma that accompanies many accidents. 

For most people, personal injuries are a cause of major disruption. And although you can’t turn back the clock and return to the way your life was pre-injury, you can still get justice, closure, and compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. 

Filing a personal injury claim with the help of a dedicated personal injury attorney from Pazner, Havens, and Slingwein, Attorneys at Law can be your ticket to recovery after an accident. Read on to learn more about some personal injury basics—and don’t hesitate to contact us for a free case evaluation. 

Personal Injury in Detroit: Frequently Asked Questions

Navigating the complexity of Michigan’s personal injury laws after an accident can be overwhelming. Read these questions and answers to learn more about the basics—and then call Pazner, Havens, and Slingwein, Attorneys at Law to find out more about how you can recover cash compensation for your injuries and damages. 

How do I proceed after an accident?

The most important thing after an accident is getting better and focusing on your recovery. As you recover from your physical injuries, however, it becomes clear that recovering from your financial losses is also of utmost importance. If you’ve been hurt, contact the experienced attorneys at Pazner, Havens, and Slingwein, Attorneys at Law for a free consultation. We’ll fight to earn you maximum compensation. 

What happens if I’m partially to blame for my injury? 

In Michigan, even plaintiffs who are partially at fault for an accident can still recover compensation in a personal injury claim. However, Michigan’s comparative negligence rules mean your compensation may be reduced proportionately to the amount of responsibility you had for the accident. Being more than 50 percent at fault can bar you from recovery altogether. 

What kind of compensation can I receive in a personal injury claim?

Compensatory damages are the bread and butter of a personal injury claim. These include both economic damages—those that involve money—and non-economic damages. Economic damages might include compensation for wage loss and medical bills, while non-economic damages are compensation for less-tangible things, like pain and suffering or mental anguish. 

Is it necessary to go to court to recover compensation?

No. In fact, most personal injury disputes are settled out of court. However, if settlement is not an option, you need an attorney who’s comfortable with taking your case to court. No matter where you are in the claims process, Pazner, Havens, and Slingwein, Attorneys at Law can help. 

How much time do I have to file a claim in Michigan?

The statute of limitations on personal injury recovery in Michigan is generally three years from the date of your injury. Given certain factors, this deadline can be extended. If you’re unsure about the impact of the deadline on your claim, let a lawyer from our firm review your case with no obligations. 

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Detroit

After an injury, you’ve got questions. Fortunately, we’ve got the answers you need. Pazner, Havens, and Slingwein, Attorneys at Law can help you maximize your personal injury settlement compensation. 

Call us for a free consultation at 313-822-2244.