FAQs

We realize that most of our clients often have no prior experience with the litigation process. Due to the nature of lawsuits, litigation can be a very emotional and stressful experience whether the injury was caused by an auto accident, defective product, workplace injury, medical malpractice, or the wrongful death of a family member. Therefore, we have provided the following frequently asked questions and answers for your review; however, please do not hesitate to contact us regarding your own potential case and arrange for your free initial consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.

• What will it cost me to hire an attorney to assist me in a claim?
• What should I do if I'm involved in an automobile collision?
• What is uninsured and underinsured coverage?
• If I make an uninsured or underinsured claim under my own automobile policy, will it increase my premiums?
• How long do I have to make a claim for injuries?
• What do I do if I am injured by a defective product?
• What do I do if I am injured or otherwise harmed by a physician?
• Who can make a claim for wrongful death of a family member?

What will it cost me to hire an attorney to assist me in a claim?

Michigan Lawyer Locator, P.L.L.C. represents its clients on a contingent fee basis. Under this arrangement, the client pays no fees or costs unless their case is settled or won.

What should I do if I'm involved in an automobile collision?

If you are involved in an automobile collision, which was caused by the other party, make sure that the police are called to the scene of the collision. Protect your legal rights by never admitting to wrongdoing or apologizing for your actions. If you are able to do so, simply exchange drivers' licenses, registrations, and insurance information with the other driver(s). Ask the law enforcement officer on the scene if you can fill out a motor-vehicle accident report form. By having the facts of the accident on file, the law enforcement officer will document the drivers' version of events, as well as the law enforcement officer's conclusion. You should also immediately seek treatment, as some injuries sustained in automobile collisions are latent, meaning that they are not readily apparent. Contact your insurance carrier and put them on notice of the claim. Michigan Lawyer Locator recommends that you contact an attorney to assist in filing a claim and obtaining a recovery on your behalf.

What is uninsured and underinsured coverage?

Uninsured and underinsured coverage is coverage that you purchase under your own automobile policy. Uninsured coverage provides you protection if you are injured in an automobile accident and the other party, who is at fault, does not have automobile insurance. Underinsured coverage provides you protection if you are injured in an automobile accident and the other party, who is at fault, does not have enough insurance coverage to compensate you for all of your damages.

If I make an uninsured or underinsured claim under my own automobile policy, will it increase my premiums?

In most cases, a claim made pursuant to your uninsured and/or underinsured coverage will not increase your premiums. It is the policy of Michigan Lawyer Locator to contact the client's carrier to confirm this information prior to advising a client to filing a claim on their own policy.

How long do I have to make a claim for injuries?

In order to avoid dismissal on the basis of a claim being untimely, a civil lawsuit must be filed within a specified period of time after the accident or dispute occurred. Each state and federal court has its own rules concerning the maximum amount of time that a civil litigant can wait before filing a lawsuit. This time limit is often referred to as the statute of limitations. Claim for injuries received in an automobile accident must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. Claims for injuries resulting from medical negligence must be brought within two years from the date the negligence occurred or within two years from the date that the patient knew, or reasonably should have known of the medical negligence. Thus, it greatly behooves potential litigants to seek the counsel of a lawyer immediately after an accident or dispute to ascertain available options.

What do I do if I am injured by a defective product?

A person who is injured by a defective product can recover compensation from the manufacturer or seller of the product under theories of strict liability, breach of warranty, and negligence. If you are injured by a product, be sure to keep the product, including any parts of the product that may have broken off. Do not attempt to repair the product. The Court can dismiss claims against a manufacturer or suppliers of products if the injured party is not able to produce the defective product for inspection.

The general test for establishing strict liability in tort is whether the product is defective in that it is not reasonably safe for its intended use. The standard of reasonable safeness is based upon what a reasonably prudent manufacture's standards should have been at the time the product was made. Once it is shown that the product was defective when it left the manufacturer and that the defect proximately caused the injury, recovery is warranted unless there was conduct by the consumer, which may bar recovery.

What do I do if I am injured or otherwise harmed by a physician?

If you are injured by the negligence of a physician, you may have a cause of action against the physician. In order to recover against a physician, a patient must prove that the physician failed to exercise that degree of care, skill and learning required or expected of a reasonable, prudent health care provider acting in the same or similar circumstances and that such failure was a proximate cause of the injury or death.

Who can make a claim for wrongful death of a family member?

Only the personal representative of the deceased person can bring and maintain an action for wrongful death. The personal representative must be duly appointed by state.