Jay Trucks & Associates, P. C.

Lansing Car Accident Lawyers

FREE CASE CONSULTATION

No Fees Unless We Win

Car crashes can leave victims and families feeling overwhelmed by medical expenses, lost wages, and physical and psychological trauma that could last a lifetime. The experienced legal team at Jay Trucks and Associates are available to guide you through the recovery process.

I would like to say I was completely satisfied with the way Jay Trucks & Associates performed in handling my case...

– R. Louis

Our attorneys have a proven record of recovering millions in compensation for car accident victims throughout Michigan, including a $350,000 recovery for a 59 year old mother that suffered a head injury in an automobile accident, a $300,000 recovery for a senior citizen that was hit by a vehicle and suffered serious leg injuries and a $175,000 settlement for a 59-year-old truck driver that sustained a right leg injury. Jay Trucks and Associates has been in business for more than three decades and our primary focus is helping injury victims pursue the maximum compensation available for their damages.

Call today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Lansing car accident attorneys and learn more about the legal options that may be available for your specific incident. There are no upfront or hidden costs to you, and we do not get paid unless you do.

Jay Trucks and Associates. 989-254-6113989-565-9047

How Do I Know if my Car Accident Claim is Valid?

There are several important details about your claim that a lawyer will need to review before determining the validity of your car accident case. As the plaintiff, you or your lawyer will need to prove negligence by the at-fault party was the cause for your damages.

Some questions your lawyer might ask, could include:

  • What do you remember about the accident?
  • How severe are your injuries?
  • What did the physician say when he or she treated you?
  • Did you see any witnesses at the scene of the accident?
  • Did you take any pictures or collect any other evidence at the scene?

There may be other important details that your lawyer might need to know to determine your eligibility for compensation. These details can all be discussed in a free consultation with one of our Lansing car accident attorneys.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover?

Car accident victims may be eligible to be compensated for past, present and future out-of-pocket expenses directly related to your injury. These expenses are generally broken down into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages:

Economic Damages

These damages are considered financial losses that have a specific monetary value, such as:

  • Past, present and future medical costs
  • Doctor's visits
  • Surgery
  • Physical therapy
  • Rehabilitation
  • Transportation to and from medical appointments
  • Assistive medical devices and equipment (wheelchair, prosthetics, etc.)
  • Vehicle repairs
  • Property damage
  • Home improvements to accommodate your injury
  • Lost wages from missing work
  • Lost future wages if you are unable to return to work

Non-Economic Damages

Car accident victims could also be eligible for non-economic damages, which are the physical and psychological effects of an injury that do not have a specific monetary value, such as:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional trauma
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Disfigurement
  • Physical Impairment
  • Loss of reputation
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

The Lansing car accident attorneys at Jay Trucks & Associates have many years of combined experience calculating and negotiating fair settlements for victims. Remember, we only receive payment when we successfully recover compensation for your car accident claim.

Call our firm today at 989-254-6113989-565-9047 to schedule your free, no risk, no-obligation consultation.

How Can Hiring a Lawyer Help my Auto Accident Claim?

There are several advantages to having a knowledgeable Lansing auto accident lawyer handling your claim. One being that car accident victims usually recover more compensation with legal representation compared to those who decide to go at it alone.

Other ways our team of legal professionals may be able to assist with your claim include:

  • Obtaining police reports
  • Gathering and examining medical reports
  • Collecting evidence to help prove your claim
  • Taking pictures of the accident scene for additional evidence
  • Obtaining video footage of the accident (if available)
  • Interviewing witnesses to find out what they saw
  • Utilizing technology and industry experts to further investigate and prove fault (if needed)
  • Accurately calculating and negotiating compensation amounts with insurers, including your future needs (if necessary)

If your claim is validated during your free consultation, these are just some of the ways our Lansing car accident attorneys could help you pursue compensation.

When Should I File my Car Accident Claim?

Some people might be hesitant to file an insurance claim because they think their rates will skyrocket, however, if you do not file your claim on time, you could miss your chance to pursue insurance compensation – most car accident claims are resolved through settlements with insurance companies.

The Michigan statute of limitations says most personal injury claims must be filed within three years from the date the accident occurred. However, there could be certain details about your claim that could cause the due date to be shortened or extended. For instance, if your claim is against the government for a poor road design, you must provide notice to the at-fault party within 120 days from the date of the accident.

However, you are only allowed to file a lawsuit after a car accident if your claim fits certain criteria, for example, you must have been seriously injured or permanently disfigured. You may also be able to file a lawsuit if you lost a loved one in a car crash.

If you are trying to receive coverage from your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, Michigan law states that you must file a claim within one year.

You can discuss the deadline for your claim in a free consultation. Call today: 989-254-6113989-565-9047

Auto Insurance Requirements in Michigan

Since Michigan is a no-fault car insurance state, every driver is obligated to have a PIP coverage in their car insurance coverage to pay for damages from a crash, no matter who is at fault.

If you purchased or renewed your PIP coverage before July 1, 2020, you should have unlimited health benefits. For policies purchased or renewed after this date, drivers can choose their level of coverage:

  • $50,000 for those enrolled in Medicaid
  • $250,000
  • $500,000
  • Unlimited coverage

Your PIP policy also provides up to 85 percent of lost income and up to $20 per day in compensation to cover household services you can no longer provide because of your injuries.

Property Damage Coverage

Property Protection Insurance (PPI) provides up to $1 million in coverage only for the damages listed below, excluding damage to another vehicle in an accident:

  • A legally parked car
  • Personal property of another Michigan resident
  • Community or residential property you damage with your vehicle, such as buildings, fences, light poles, trash cans and more

Michigan law states that drivers are covered for damages to other property up to $1 million under PPI, however, this type of insurance does not cover damages to another car in an accident.

Bodily Injury and Property Damage Coverage

Before July 1, 2020, Michigan required all drivers to carry a minimum of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in liability coverage. Each driver is also required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in property damage coverage for a single accident. This pays for damages you cause in an accident.

Policies purchased or renewed after July 1, 2020 will have higher liability minimums:

  • The minimum bodily injury coverage goes up from $20,000 to $250,000 per person
  • The minimum bodily injury coverage goes up from $40,000 to $500,000 per accident

Who Covers the Damages if the Other Driver is Uninsured?

Michigan drivers have the option of purchasing uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) auto coverage to cover damages if the at-fault driver is uninsured or does not have enough coverage for your damages. Policyholders have the option of increasing their limits at any time, however, these are the recommended minimums:

  • $20,000 in coverage per person in a single auto accident
  • $40,000 in coverage for a single accident with multiple passengers

Contact one of our knowledgeable Lansing auto accident attorneys if you have any questions about your insurance coverage. We have over 150 years of combined experience helping auto accident victims seek compensation.

Speaking with Insurance Adjusters

Insurance adjusters from both sides may attempt to contact you immediately after your car accident, however, it is important to keep these conversations to a minimum until you speak with a licensed Lansing car accident attorney. Most car insurance adjusters are looking for you to say or do something that could be used against you to lower the value of your claim and avoid making a big payout for your damages.

Some ways insurance adjusters could trick you into devaluing your claim include:

  • Offering you a quick, lowball settlement offer
  • Urging you to give a recorded statement about your car accident
  • Using your words against you such as, “I feel better”
  • Trying to get you to admit to some degree of fault by repeating similar questions multiple times

Our attorneys have a wealth of experience in handling communication with insurance companies and adjusters.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how our attorneys may be able to assist you. Call 989-254-6113989-565-9047

Common Types of Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Although today's technology is making cars safer for drivers, injuries from car crashes are still quite common, including:

  • Whiplash
  • Lacerations and bruises
  • Fractured bones
  • Soft-tissue damage
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Disfigurement
  • Amputations
  • Physical impairment
  • Paralysis

What Causes Car Accidents?

Most car accidents are caused by the negligent actions of drivers. Disobeying traffic laws and distracted driving are among the most common reasons for collisions.

Other negligent activity known to cause car crashes includes:

  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Tailgating
  • Driving while drowsy
  • Driving in the wrong direction
  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Disobeying traffic lights, signals or signs
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Driving while distracted, including eating or drinking, texting, adjusting the radio or GPS

If you believe you have a valid claim and your injuries were caused by one of the above-mentioned negligent activities or something similar, you may be eligible to be compensated for your damages.

Schedule Your Free Consultation with a Lansing Auto Accident Attorney

Our attorneys are prepared to handle the entire legal process on your behalf, so you can rest and recover from your injury. Take a look at some of our testimonials from past clients to learn more about the benefits of hiring a trusted attorney.

Contact us today to learn about your rights as an auto accident victim and how you may qualify for compensation to cover past, present and future expenses related to your injury. The initial consultation is free, and we charge you no attorney fees until we secure fair compensation for your claim.

Call a Lansing auto accident attorney from Jay Trucks & Associates today at 989-254-6113989-565-9047 or fill out the free online form and someone from our team will contact you soon after.

Jay Trucks & Associates.
No Upfront Fees.