Rochester Hills Personal Injury Lawyers

Experienced Rochester Hills Personal Injury Attorneys Help Clients Recover

Rochester Hills is located in Oakland County, just 12 miles north of Detroit. Its residents enjoy Michigan’s natural beauty and easy access to the amenities of a major city. Approximately 76,000 people call Rochester Hills home, and millions live nearby in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb Counties.

Unfortunately, even the best location can’t prevent accidents and injuries. While some injuries are unavoidable, others result from someone else’s carelessness, negligence, or intentional acts. In many cases, Michigan law allows you to file a lawsuit against a person or business that caused you harm.

If you’ve been injured and you suspect someone may be legally responsible, don’t wait. Talk to an experienced Rochester Hills injury lawyer today. The team at Sommers Schwartz P.C. is here to help.

Michigan Personal Injury Lawsuits

Personal injury claims can arise from many different situations. Most commonly, they allege some form of negligence. To succeed in a negligence case, you must prove:

• A person or business had a duty of care under the law (a responsibility to act a certain way).
• The person or business breached their duty (acted or failed to act consistent with their legal duty).
• Their breach of duty caused you to suffer harm.

Countless situations could give rise to a personal injury claim. However, most Michigan personal injury lawsuits fall into one of these categories.

Traffic Crashes

In 2022, there were more than 50,000 injury-causing auto accidents on Michigan roads and more than 1,000 fatal crashes. Individuals injured in an auto accident may be able to sue the at-fault driver or another responsible party to recover compensation for their injuries.

Defining who is at fault in a traffic crash can be challenging. Many collisions result from one or more drivers’ careless or reckless behavior. Other causes include defective vehicle systems or equipment, hazardous road conditions, inclement weather, and wildlife.

Michigan has a no-fault insurance system. Drivers in the state must carry this type of auto insurance policy. If they are involved in an accident, they can recover from their own insurer and generally may not sue the at-fault driver. However, there are many situations where it is possible to file a lawsuit after a car accident. An experienced Michigan car accident attorney can help you understand your options.

Workplace Injuries

Private employers in Michigan reported 83,600 non-fatal workplace injuries and 139 workplace fatalities to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2022. Three major categories of employment accounted for 76 percent of these reports: trade, transportation, utilities, education and health services, and manufacturing. Common incidents that lead to workplace injuries include falls, burns, exposure to toxic substances, vehicle incidents, animal attacks, and workplace violence.

Most workplace injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, which compensates workers for medical expenses and lost wages. This system generally prevents employees from suing their employers. However, there are many situations where it may be possible to file a lawsuit against an employer, an equipment manufacturer or supplier, or another third party.

Slip and Fall Injuries

A slip, trip, or fall can cause broken bones, head injuries, and other serious injuries. A property owner or business may be liable if you slip, trip, or fall on their premises. Talk to an attorney to understand how Michigan premises liability applies to your case.

Dog Bite Claims

It’s not just a problem for mail carriers – any dog may bite and cause injuries. Michigan law holds all dog owners responsible for damages caused by their pets, even if a dog has no history of aggressive behavior. It’s a common misconception that a dog will automatically be “put down” if you file a lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries; this is not the case, so you shouldn’t hesitate to talk to a lawyer.

Medical Malpractice

Medical providers, such as doctors and hospitals, must meet a professional standard of care when treating patients. When a provider’s failure to meet this standard causes injury, a patient may be able to file a medical malpractice claim.

These lawsuits are subject to special rules in Michigan. Working with an experienced Michigan personal injury lawyer is your best chance of success.

Wrongful Deaths

In 2022, Michigan recorded 59.2 unintentional deaths and 8.5 homicides per 100,000 residents, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health. Unintentional deaths included deaths due to negligence or reckless behavior by another party. In many cases, a victim’s surviving representative may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.

Common Types of Personal Injuries

You can pursue a personal injury case to recover for many types of damage and injury. In addition to physical injuries, you may have mental, emotional, and psychological trauma.

Serious injuries that often support Rochester Hills injury claims include:

• Brain injuries like traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion.
• Head, neck, and back injuries, including broken bones, herniated discs, neck sprain/strain (commonly called “whiplash”), muscle and nerve damage, and other injuries.
• Spinal cord injuries, including partial or total paralysis or issues with movement or sensation.
• Crush injuries and amputations.
• Scarring and disfigurement either from the accident itself, from surgery, or both.
• Mental and psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.

If you’ve been injured, a dedicated Rochester Hills injury lawyer can help you understand how the law applies in your situation and the compensation you may recover.

What Happens in a Rochester Hills Personal Injury Case?

Every personal injury case has a unique set of facts. While friends and family can provide support, they cannot tell you what will happen in your case – even if they have been through the process themselves.

You may need to pursue some types of claims through insurance or another avenue before you can go to court. You may be required (or may choose) to resolve your claims using arbitration or mediation rather than filing a lawsuit. An experienced attorney can help you understand your options.

Some cases involve more than one type of personal injury claim, which can help you recover more than the limited amounts available under workers’ compensation insurance or your at-fault auto policy. For example, you may be able to file a defective product claim related to an on-the-job injury. Since claims can get complicated quickly, working with an experienced Rochester Hills personal injury lawyer is essential.

Time Limits in Michigan Personal Injury Cases

A statute of limitations limits how long you have to file a claim in court after you are injured. In Michigan, you generally have three years from the date you were injured to file a lawsuit. Medical malpractice claims typically must be filed within two years. Additional time to file a medical malpractice case is allowed in cases of death or when the existence of a claim was not discovered until less than six months before the two-year anniversary of the date of the malpractice.

However, calculating these time limits is often complicated. As stated, numerous exceptions and caveats can lengthen (or shorten) your time to begin a lawsuit. For this reason, it’s beneficial to speak to an attorney even if you think your time limit has already passed. They can help you understand exactly how the rules apply and what options you may have.

Compensation

The compensation available in a personal injury claim is designed to repay an injured person for their losses. It can include reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages, and damaged property. It can also include compensation for pain, suffering, and the loss of enjoyment of activities you can no longer do because of your injuries.

How much compensation you recover depends on many factors, including the nature and extent of your injuries, the effect your injuries have on your life and work, and the conduct of the responsible party. An experienced attorney will review the facts of your case and help you understand the damages you may be able to recover.

Consult an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Rochester Hills

The experienced Rochester Hills personal injury lawyers at Sommers Schwartz P.C. have helped countless Michigan residents recover in all types of personal injury cases. Our compassionate, caring team can help you understand your legal options and choose the best path forward. We will fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve and resolve your case as efficiently, effectively, and beneficially as possible. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.