Detroit Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury Attorney in Detroit, MI

Dealing with a personal injury can be a stressful situation, especially if you are considering navigating the legalities on your own. Hiring an experienced Detroit personal injury lawyer can be the most important decision that you make. Having someone on your side who understands the ins and outs of personal injury law can only help your case. If you are involved in an accident and wish to pursue legal action, contact Wigod & Falzon skilled lawyers to discuss your legal needs. It is also helpful to review a personal injury case checklist to ensure you are prepared for the initial consultation.

Different Forms of Personal Injury Cases

You can bring a personal injury claim against anyone whose negligent or malicious actions cause you to suffer an injury or a wrongful death, in which case the victim’s family will bring the claim. Personal injury cases can be broad and encompass a wide range of potential situations. The legal team at Wigod & Falzon handles many different kinds of personal injury cases, including the following:

• Car Accidents: Car accidents remain some of the most common forms of personal injury cases, with over 6,500 car accident injuries across the country every day. A car accident can range anywhere from a mild inconvenience to a disastrous catastrophe, and everything in between. They often result in not just some form of mild to serious injury, but also in substantial property damage. When you bring a personal injury case as a result of a car accident, you can seek compensation from the liable parties. Often, the driver who caused the accident will be the one you pursue a damage claim against with the help of a trusted Detroit car accident lawyer. However, you could end up pursuing damages against the vehicle manufacturer, the government entity responsible for road conditions, or any other person or entity who ultimately was the cause of your accident. These cases may hinge on proving negligence, which a lawyer can help you do.
• Slip and Fall: A sudden slip and a bad fall is another common form of personal injury case, accounting for 35% of all nonfatal injuries in 2023, that happens for a multitude of reasons. A slip and fall may often fall under the category of “premises liability,” in which the owner of the building or property in which the accident occurred may be held liable for your injury due to negligence. A slip and fall can result in a reliable Detroit slip and fall lawyer helping you address a catastrophic injury, such as a brain injury or broken bones. Proving liability in a slip and fall case may involve proving the property owner’s negligent behavior in maintaining a safe and secure environment for customers or visitors. An experienced lawyer can help you build a case that shows your accident was due to a wet floor, an unmarked hazard, poor lighting, or an uneven surface, among other possible factors.
• Medical Malpractice: Medical malpractice claims can be especially difficult to prove and could be tough to see through to the end. A medical malpractice claim arises when a medical professional, such as a doctor, nurse, dentist, surgeon, or technician, fails to meet an established duty of care and breaches that duty through unethical, illegal, or negligent conduct that results in harm to a patient. Examples of medical malpractice can include incorrect medication, surgical errors, birthing errors, aftercare problems, and pharmacist errors. While not every medical error is the result of malpractice, it is important to act when it is. Proving negligence in a malpractice case can be a difficult endeavor, and a personal injury lawyer can help you build a robust case.
• Dog Bites: Dog bites are fairly common in places across the country where pet owners thrive, and they rank number 13 on the list of all non-fatal emergency room visits. People’s pets are considered their property, so a dog bite may be considered a form of premises liability. Basically, whenever a dog bites someone, the dog owner is responsible for compensating the victim for damages, such as medical expenses and emotional distress. A professional Detroit dog bite lawyer can help you counter arguments if the owner claims provocation. The dog’s owner may be able to argue that you provoked the dog into defending itself. If a jury accepts that defense, they may not be held liable for the dog bite. If you are ever bitten by a dog and wish to file a claim against the owner, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer before pursuing any legal action. That way, you can start building your case together and figure out if you have something worth pursuing.
• Lead Poisoning: The effects of lead poisoning can be long-lasting and even permanent. If you or your child has been exposed to lead for long periods of time and has started to suffer medical problems because of it, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer who can investigate your claim and discover the root cause of your problem. Even the smallest bit of lead can cause serious health problems after prolonged exposure or introduction into the body. Many different liable parties could be held accountable in a lead poisoning case, from the property owner who knowingly sold you a home covered in lead-based paint to a landlord who failed to report the possible health hazard before renting the property. In children, lead poisoning can cause developmental delays, physical issues, and mental health problems.
• Truck Accidents: Truck accidents can be especially devastating thanks to the sheer size and power of a commercial truck. If you are ever involved in an accident with a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, and you survive the accident, you may be dealing with severe injuries and property damage. In that event, you may wish to pursue legal action against the responsible parties. Working with a dedicated Detroit truck accident lawyer is essential because truck accidents happen all the time, particularly on busy roads with many distracted drivers. A truck accident can be caused by many different factors unique to trucks, such as improperly loaded cargo, a poorly connected trailer, or equipment failure. When a truck driver loses control, the consequences can be catastrophic for other drivers on the road. A good lawyer can help you build your case and figure out what caused it.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injury for the opposite reason of truck accidents. While trucks are huge and can cause sweeping devastation, motorcycles are small and often unseen by distracted drivers. The resulting accident may only seriously injure the one driving the motorcycle driver, but those injuries can be catastrophic, depending on the details of the accident. It is vital to know what to do after a motorcycle accident to protect your health and future claim. A motorcycle accident can happen because of a distracted driver, unsafe road conditions, sudden equipment failure, a loss of control, or even reckless driving. Michigan state law does not require motorcycle drivers and passengers over 21 years of age to wear a helmet if certain insurance requirements are met. As a result, a motorcycle accident without a helmet can be particularly brutal.
• Electrocution Accidents: Electrocution is far more common in the United States than you might think. Electricity is present in nearly every workplace and home in the country. With electricity being such a significant and necessary part of everyday life, there is also a present risk of electrocution. Electrocution can cause significant injury, lifelong damage, and even death in some situations. Electrocution injuries often fall into one of four categories: flash injuries, flame injuries, lightning injuries, and true electrical injuries. All of them have the capacity to be life-threatening and catastrophic. If you ever suffer a severe electrocution, you may want to speak with a lawyer and see what your options are for pursuing compensatory damages against the responsible parties.
• Wrongful Death: A wrongful death case is the worst possible scenario for a personal injury incident. In a wrongful death, the accident that was caused by someone’s negligent or malicious behavior resulted in the victim’s death. The victim’s family would be pursuing the wrongful death case. In Michigan, the victim’s spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings can pursue a wrongful death claim.

No amount of compensation can make up for the fact that you have lost a loved one, but pursuing a wrongful death claim may be able to help you gain some form of closure. Holding the negligent party accountable may also provide a sense of justice as well.

Traits of a Good Personal Injury Lawyer

People tend to hire personal injury lawyers when they are in dire need of legal assistance after either being involved in a bad accident or getting injured by someone else’s negligent or malicious behavior. Either way, you want to try to find a lawyer that you can trust to be your legal representative for the foreseeable future. Here are some important qualities to look for in a personal injury lawyer, especially when dealing with cases involving surveillance personal injury:

• Compassion: Lawyers sometimes tend to enter their clients’ lives at their lowest points; at a time when they need guidance, support, and compassion. When deciding on a lawyer to represent your case, you may wish to go with someone who shows you a bit of compassion. After all, having a lawyer who cares about you and what you are going through can only be beneficial to your case in the long run.
• Communication: Throughout this entire process, you and your lawyer need to foster strong communication. Lawyers are communicators first and foremost. They need to communicate effectively for their cases to progress. They need to be able to explain legal situations in ways their clients understand. You want a lawyer with strong communication skills who can keep you informed about every aspect of your case.
• Listening Proficiency: Communication works both ways. While you will want a lawyer who can explain things to you effectively, you will also want someone who listens to you too. After all, good communication is a give and take. In order to truly understand your case and lead it effectively, your lawyer needs to sit down and listen to all the details you can remember about the incident that caused the accident.
• A Wealth of Knowledge: To become a lawyer, you need to go through a great deal of focused education. The law is such a vast entity on its own. Personal injury lawyers focus on helping their clients recover damages from accidents and incidents that may have been beyond their control. A good personal injury lawyer brings their vast knowledge of the law to your case and may be prepared for any hurdles that come up along the way.
• Experience: One of the most important qualities that a personal injury lawyer can have is experience. If possible, try to find a lawyer who has handled similar cases and achieved great results. A lawyer who has dealt with cases similar to yours in the past may be able to adopt former strategies and anticipate certain possibilities while they are arguing your case. The more experience they have, the easier it may be to succeed.
• Problem-Solving Capability: Every personal injury case is different. Some may be easier to develop than others. A good lawyer has honed their problem-solving skills and can respond quickly to unexpected setbacks they may not have anticipated. Lawyers should be able to think on their feet and adjust their strategy accordingly as new information comes to light during the case.
• Strong Judgment: Lawyers may be required to make judgment calls on behalf of their clients or for themselves. For example, a personal injury lawyer has to decide if the case they are presented with is likely to be successful for the client. If, during the settlement process, their client asks for their opinion on whether they should accept an offer, their lawyer must provide a well-thought-out opinion. Strong judgment is paramount to success in your case.
• Perseverance: It may not be the easiest thing to keep going in a case that becomes a lengthy battle to receive the settlement you deserve. There are no guarantees that your case might go the way you planned, the way you wanted, or even the way you expected. A good lawyer pushes through the challenges of a personal injury case with the faith that no matter what, they can help their client through this tough time.
• Good Ethics: Ultimately, your lawyer is representing you and your morals throughout this entire process. You need someone who has moral standards and strong ethics similar to yours. Hiring a lawyer with a reputation for questionable ethics and poor behavior could end poorly for you. Your lawyer should never compromise their integrity or yours.
• Interacting with People: Lawyers are constantly interacting with people, whether it is their clients, other lawyers, juries, judges, police officers, private detectives, or witnesses. A good lawyer should be able to read people effectively and project a personable persona while investigating or arguing your case. In addition, they must be consistently persuasive as they work to convince others to support your case.

The Statute of Limitations

When you decide to hire a personal injury attorney in Detroit, Michigan, it is vital that you do so as soon as possible. The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in Michigan is only three years from the date of your initial accident.

That means you have three years to start building a case, file a claim, and pursue compensatory damages for your injury. If you fail to file your claim within that three-year window, your claim could be denied, and your opportunity to recoup damages is forfeit.

When an Extension Is Warranted

There are several exceptions to the three-year rule that may persuade the court to allow you a temporary extension. However, an extension is never guaranteed, and you will have to prove to the court why you deserve more time to file. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether you have a valid claim for an extension. Here are some of the situations that may warrant an extension:

• Legal Disability: Any person who is physically or mentally unable to manage their own affairs may be considered legally disabled in Michigan, including minors under 18 years old and those who are legally insane. If someone with a legal disability suffers a personal injury, they may be granted an extension of one year from the date that their disability no longer affects them.
• They Left Michigan: Sometimes, to avoid dealing with a personal injury claim being brought against them, the would-be defendant may flee the state in the hopes that the whole thing just goes away. If that happens to you, your deadline may be paused until the defendant returns to Michigan. This applies if the defendant:
  • Was outside of the state when your injury happened.
  • Left the state after your injury and has been gone for more than two months.

  However, this extension may only be granted if you are unable to serve the defendant with a claim while they are outside of Michigan. If the court later realizes you could have served the defendant, the deadline is unpaused.

• Fraudulent Concealment: If the defendant who caused your injury conceals the fact that you brought a claim against them or tries to conceal the identity of someone who did cause your injury, state law provides you additional time to bring further legal action against them.

What to Do After an Accident in Detroit

After an accident, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, confused, or pressured into dealing directly with the insurance company. However, the steps you take in the hours and days that follow can significantly impact both your health and your legal rights.

Accident victims in Detroit need to be especially careful, as Michigan’s personal injury laws can affect everything from fault to compensation. Whether you’re considering a personal injury claim now or simply protecting your options, some of the steps you should take include:

1. Seek medical attention right away. Even if your injuries seem minor, many serious conditions don’t show symptoms until later, and delayed treatment can raise questions about the seriousness of your injuries. Medical records created right after the accident also establish a clear connection between the incident and your injuries, which is essential for any personal injury claim under Michigan’s personal injury laws.
2. Call the police and file a report. A police report provides an official, neutral account of the accident. Officers document key facts, take statements, and could also note violations or hazardous conditions. If the accident doesn’t require police intervention, such as a slip and fall at a store, file a report with management.
3. Document the scene. If it’s safe, gather as much information as possible. Take photos or videos of vehicles, property damage, hazardous conditions, injuries, traffic signs, and road conditions. In addition, get contact information from witnesses and write down your own recollection of events while the details are fresh.
4. Avoid discussing fault. Don’t apologize, speculate, or admit blame at the scene or when speaking with insurance adjusters. Michigan’s personal injury laws allow insurers to closely scrutinize your words, which is why our Detroit personal injury attorneys advise you to limit your discussions with them until you get legal guidance.
5. Contact legal counsel. You should always reach out to us before dealing with insurance companies, as we can protect your rights and help you avoid costly mistakes. Our Detroit personal injury attorneys can explain how personal injury laws apply to your situation while making sure your personal injury claim is positioned for the strongest possible outcome.

Taking these steps creates a strong foundation for recovery, both physically and financially. At Wigod & Falzon, our team stands ready to help you navigate Michigan’s personal injury laws and pursue fair compensation in your personal injury claim.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer: Local Representation Makes a Difference

When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you need someone who knows your community and is prepared to advocate for you in the courts that matter. At Wigod & Falzon, we’re proud to be that local champion. We’re not just outsiders learning the landscape as we go. Our team works here, we live here, and we advocate for Detroit‘s residents every day.

Local representation means we understand how claims are handled in the 36th District Court, the Wayne County Circuit Court, and at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, giving us firsthand insight into the local procedures, judicial expectations, and litigation strategies that resonate in these venues.

This familiarity means we’re uniquely positioned to anticipate issues before they arise and course-correct to give you the greatest chance of a favorable outcome.

FAQs

What Percentage Do Most Personal Injury Lawyers Take?

There is no set percentage that most personal injury lawyers charge for their services. Every personal injury lawyer charges different amounts for what they can offer their clients. Each lawyer has to take certain factors into consideration when determining what their fee percentage should be, including the amount of resources they need to use to argue your case and how much you actually ended up getting awarded in compensation.

At Wigod & Falzon, you won’t be responsible for your legal fees unless we are successful in your case. Our team works on a contingency basis, so any fees would be deducted from your settlement package.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Michigan?

In Michigan, you have three years to file a personal injury claim. That means you have three years from the date of your initial injury to begin building a case, gathering evidence, and filing a claim for compensatory damages with the help of a personal injury lawyer. If you fail to file your claim within the three-year window, your claim could be dismissed, and you would lose your legal right to seek damages.

How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Case?

If you want to know if you have a valid personal injury case, you should reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer and tell them everything you have been through. After hearing your side of events, your lawyer can inform you of whether you have a personal injury case worth pursuing. Generally, you likely have a case if your accident was the obvious cause of someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, and you can prove it.

Do I Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Technically, no, you do not need to hire a personal injury lawyer for your case. There is no law that says you need to retain legal counsel. You are allowed to pursue legal action on your own. However, it is highly recommended that you seek experienced legal help whenever you face any legal issue. After all, having someone on your side who understands personal injury law can help you obtain the compensation available to you.

Reach Out to an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today

It can be overwhelming to deal with a personal injury situation on your own. Thankfully, you do not have to deal with it alone. An experienced personal injury lawyer can make all the difference to your case and allow you to focus on your recovery while knowing your case is in safe hands.

The legal team at Wigod & Falzon understands the kind of help you need and is prepared to offer you legal assistance. We can help you develop your strongest case, gather the evidence to prove negligence, and protect your interests throughout the process. Contact us to speak with a valued team member and schedule a consultation.