When considering filing a lawsuit for a personal injury, it’s important you know all the relevant laws before filing your case—and in language you can actually understand. The following are some of Michigan’s primary personal injury laws to help you before you start the claim process.
Michigan’s Injury Laws Explained
The Laws of Negligence and Comparative Fault in Michigan
Negligence basically means that someone was responsible for your injury because they were being careless or engaging in wrongful behavior. Fault refers to the person who was to blame for the accident.
In Michigan, you can still recover damages from someone when they were only partially responsible for your accident. If you had some fault in the accident, the damages you receive will be reduced by the amount of fault attributed to you.
Michigan’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases
The time limit on filing an action for personal injury or wrongful death is three years from the date of the accident or the date of your injury diagnosis.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Laws are different in each type of personal injury case. For instance, when you’ve been hurt in a trucking wreck, commercial trucking laws as well as auto injury laws will apply to your case.
The most common types of personal injury cases are motorcycle wrecks, premises liability accidents, dog bites, car accidents, wrongful death, nursing home abuse, product liability, and medical malpractice.
Damages You Could Receive
If you win your personal injury case, you will more than likely be awarded compensatory damages for your financial and non-financial damages. The financial costs of your accident and injuries are your financial damages. Losses such as medical bills, lost work wages, property damage, and cost of treatment all fall under this category.
Non-financial losses you can also be compensated for are pain, suffering, trauma, and lost life enjoyment.
For some personal injury cases, the court could award punitive damages. These damages are rarely awarded, though. These damages are not intended to compensate the victim—though the victim can receive the compensation. Rather, they are intended to punish the defendant for gross negligence or wrongful behavior.
Get Help with Your Injury Claim
Now that you have some knowledge on the injury laws in Michigan, it’s time to get started on your claim. Contact David Christensen Law to discuss the injury filing process with a Michigan personal injury lawyer. Call 248-213-4900 or visit our website for more information.