If you or someone you love suffered significant personal injuries in a recent car accident, you know how even a seemingly “minor” injury can change your life. Neck and back injuries often have a profound impact and involve difficult recoveries. When you’re struggling with the uncertainty of a crash-related back or neck injury, you may be tempted to take any settlement offer you receive from the insurance company.
While an insurance adjuster will review your medical records, crash reports, and other evidence, they will look at your case very differently than a personal injury attorney. Claims adjusters work for the insurer, and their job is to save their employer as much money as possible.
Most car accident cases involve negligence. In order to recover damages from the insurance company, you’ll need to prove that:
- The at-fault driver or party owed you a duty of care based on Michigan law
- The at-fault driver violated this duty, causing your injuries; and
- The at-fault driver’s actions resulted in damages, such as lost income, pain and suffering, and specifically medical bills
If you cannot prove any of these elements, the insurance company and courts may reject your claim. Because of the need to prove negligence, most car crash investigations begin with a careful investigation that helps your lawyer understand the other party’s negligent actions, your damages, and other important facts. We’ve mentioned the importance of getting a copy of the police report of the accident, and access any information about your insurance, medical bills, and more.
However, proving negligence is just the starting point of your legal claims. Many factors can impact the strength and value of your injury claim. When you work with the team at Bashore Green, our attorneys will carefully evaluate these issues, looking for ways to increase your jury award or settlement. Contact our attorneys today!
