Accident victims in Grand Rapids will be awarded compensation based on the law of damages

Grand Rapids, MI – The financial costs of an accident can be just as devastating for some accident victims as their injuries and property damage. Civil lawsuits are the main way that people involved in a crash who have experienced large amounts of losses can try to recover the money that they need to spend on medical procedures, continued healthcare, and missed time from work. The monetary award at the conclusion of a lawsuit through a jury verdict or settlement agreement is called damages. There are some rules codified in the state’s statutes regarding what damages are available and how they are awarded to the victim. 

Damages under Michigan law

In Michigan and other states, damages are usually divided into two categories for economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses are the easiest to calculate, as the plaintiff can argue that the defendant should pay for all of their medical treatment, lost wages, property repairs, and other financial issues that can be easily proven through documentation and other forms of evidence. Non-economic damages are usually referred to as pain and suffering. These intangible amounts can be based on things like trauma, psychological problems, physical pain caused by an injury, and the victim’s reduced quality of life. The Michigan legislature has placed limits or damage caps on certain kinds of injury lawsuits to create a maximum that can be awarded for non-economic damages in certain cases. There are also two other types of less common damages available in cases of malicious or intentional misconduct in Michigan. These are punitive damages and exemplary damages.  

The insurance claim process

Determining whether a lawsuit will be necessary in addition to an insurance claim is usually done on a case by case basis. Anyone involved in an accident should notify their insurance provider, as this is usually required by the terms of the policy. However, many standard auto insurance policies will only cover several thousand dollars worth of liability and property repairs. The victim can ask their insurance provider important questions about their collision and the possibility of receiving funds from a claim that will cover most or all of their losses. In cases that involve severe injuries and large medical costs, it is more likely that a personal injury lawsuit will be necessary to cover the insufficiencies of an insurance claim. Accident victims should speak with a licensed lawyer before making any decisions about bringing a lawsuit. 

Speak with a local accident attorney

There are lawyers in the Grand Rapids area who focus their practice on accident lawsuits and related matters to assist clients. Anyone who needs to learn more about this process can contact the attorneys at Neumann Law Group. 

Firm contact info:

Neumann Law Group

300 E Front St. #445, Traverse City, MI 49684 

231-221-0050

www.neumannlawgroup.com