Do you need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Rochester Hills?

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim compensates someone who suffers an accident resulting in an injury or death and typically requires a personal injury lawyer. Rochester Hills accidents resulting in physical injury, mental health trauma, and property damage create conditions that deem one eligible to file a personal injury claim. As negligence forms the basis for personal injury cases, they cover a variety of accidents ranging from car accidents to premise liability.

Speaking to a personal injury lawyer is the first step in determining whether you can file such a claim. If your situation makes you eligible to receive compensation, a personal injury claim will help you secure it. However, navigating a personal injury claim can be a challenge without the proper guidance on eligibility, filing a lawsuit in Michigan, and fighting your case if it goes to trial.

Discovering Compensation Eligibility

Not all situations resulting in injury make you eligible to receive financial compensation. A personal injury lawyer in Rochester Hills knows the law regarding payment and the conditions that improve your chance at receiving it. An attorney can help determine whether you have a case and guide you on the steps to file your claim.

The statute of limitations applies to personal injury lawsuits, so speaking to a lawyer immediately is vital in securing compensation. Michigan’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims stands at three years from the date of the accident.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

Filing a claim doesn’t have to be difficult with the help of a personal injury lawyer. In most situations, your case won’t have to go to trial, as insurance companies and accident compensation funds typically resolve personal injuries quickly through out-of-court settlements.

In either case, it helps to have a personal injury attorney go through the process with you, so you have a better chance of receiving adequate compensation. Without legal representation, you risk going through a lengthy process to gather the necessary information and negotiate compensation. A personal injury lawyer such as Sumner & Associates, P.C. can help you file a claim and reach a settlement quickly.

Fighting Your Case

If your personal injury claim doesn’t result in an out-of-court settlement, the next step begins with filing a lawsuit and fighting your case in court. Personal injury cases require you to prove that the other party’s negligence resulted in your personal injury or that they are liable in some way. A personal injury lawyer can notify all involved parties and will help you reach a satisfying negotiation.

When you need a personal injury lawyer, Rochester Hills has a professional solution to help you receive compensation: Sumner & Associates, P.C. Our attorneys understand the stress a personal injury case can put on you and aim to make the court process easy and pain-free. To discuss the details of your situation and learn if you are eligible for compensation via a personal injury case, contact Sumner & Associates to schedule an appointment.

How Much Are Lawyer Fees for Personal Injury?

When you suffer severe injuries in Rochester Hills, MI, expenses for medical treatment can quickly become out of control, even with health insurance. If an injury renders you unable to work, a personal injury lawyer can help keep your family afloat. However, like with any professional service, there will be fees to pay.

A personal injury lawyer will either charge a contingent fee or by the hour. If you do not win your case, you have no financial obligation to your personal injury lawyer, although you may need to cover court costs and other fees. Be sure to find out what type of fees a personal injury lawyer charges before hiring them and get all agreements in writing.

Contingency Fees

Lawyers in personal injury commonly charge a contingency fee for their services as many clients don’t have a significant amount upfront. Personal injury fees in Michigan are typically 30% to 40% of the final compensation amount. Depending on whether the attorney or the client pays for other expenses, this percentage could be higher or lower.

Hourly Fees

Many personal injury attorneys charge hourly for legal services. Paying hourly may result in significantly lower fees than a contingency rate with out-of-court settlements. Therefore, it’s worth it to calculate each rate and decide which gives you the most value.

Potential Expenses for Personal Injury Cases

According to your payment agreement, a personal injury lawyer in Oakland County will often require you to pay court costs and other accrued expenses while investigating and filing your claim and gathering evidence. This cost can vary depending on how difficult or costly it is to collect the necessary information.

In a contingency fee situation, fees will come out of your final pay. Be sure to get all extra expense requirements in writing to avoid miscommunication during the final stages of litigation. You can end up paying for the following aspects of your case:

Fees for Hiring Expert Witnesses

When your case involves serious injuries or lasting pain, your lawyer may hire expert witnesses such as doctors, mental health professionals, and engineers to testify. These fees may come from your final compensation.

Court Fees

Michigan case filing fees and fees for civil hearings may be your responsibility to pay. Some fees require upfront payment, while others can wait until you receive compensation. Your personal injury lawyer in Rochester Hills will alert you to all fees you must pay.

Investigation Fees

Extensive discovery may be necessary to increase your chance of receiving compensation. Expenses during the investigation and discovery process can add up quickly if you wish to extend the process until trial. These expenses may be up to you to pay after the trial ends.

Miscellaneous Fees

A personal injury lawyer may also require you to pay for the firm’s miscellaneous fees involving your case, such as document transfer expenses or phone calls. Many attorneys charge clients for these fees, so you need to ask for a list of fees.

Sumner & Associates keeps track of all expenses for discovering new information, gathering convincing evidence, filing your case, and more. Our lawyers have years of experience navigating the costs of personal injury cases and can guide you through the process. Contact us when you are ready for a consultation at our Rochester Hills office.

Is It Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney?

If you suffer an injury or mental distress from an accident, hiring a personal injury attorney can be especially worth it. Whether you’ve suffered an injury from a car accident or medical malpractice, a personal injury attorney will guide you along the way. They keep your best interests at heart so you can receive fair compensation.

Because of the unique nature of personal injury cases, it can be challenging to know which laws apply to you. Well-versed in all types of personal injury accidents, a personal injury attorney understands how to navigate the investigation and best represent you in court. Additionally, a personal injury attorney only handles personal injury cases, meaning they have ample understanding of medicine and law.

Personal injury lawyers also offer free consultations to learn the demands of your civil case.

Hiring a personal injury attorney brings you other benefits, including:

• Contacting relevant parties
• Gathering essential evidence
• Ensuring you receive adequate care
• Valuing damages and lives lost
• Representing you accurately in court
• Bringing in key witnesses
• Creating a solid argument for financial compensation
• Settling out-of-court compensation

Whether or not you hire a personal injury lawyer, you should seek their advice. It helps to speak to someone knowledgeable in handling these situations, so you know all possible ways to go forward. However, it’s essential to see if you’ll require a personal injury lawyer or an attorney skilled in another area.

If any of the following statements apply to your situation, you’ll need the expertise of a personal injury lawyer:

• The accident resulted in a death
• A party suffered severe injuries such as broken bones or head trauma
• An insurance company is calling you about the situation
• Significant amounts of money are at stake
• Someone now experiences lasting physical or mental issues

Losing a loved one or experiencing a traumatic accident are complicated events to process. A personal injury lawyer focuses on financial recovery so you can focus on your health recovery. The last thing you’ll want to do is fill out paperwork and contact different entities about the accident.

A personal injury lawyer makes the process easier by investigating the claim for you. They will adequately calculate damages and evaluate compensation for emotional trauma during this difficult time. Additionally, they know insurance companies’ tricks and can protect you from accepting a minimal settlement.

Sumner & Associates has handled a variety of personal injury cases with satisfying results and has an ample understanding of Michigan law to help you fight your case. We stand as your local personal injury professionals in Rochester Hills. When you need a considerate lawyer to aid you in navigating the potentially sensitive nature of personal injury claims, we are at your service.

How Do I Choose a Good Personal Injury Attorney for My Case?

Choosing a good personal injury attorney can make a difference in securing adequate financial compensation and speeding up the litigation process. Without the right attorney from day one, your chances of receiving monetary compensation can decrease significantly. The following tips can help you choose an effective personal injury lawyer in Rochester Hills.

Select a Firm Specializing in Personal Injury and Accidents

A personal injury attorney has the specific education to handle personal injury lawsuits. The complexities of personal injury cases require law professionals with years of experience to manage such cases. The lawyers at Sumner & Associates have helped many clients receive compensation for personal injury in car accident cases and more.

View Their Academic Credentials

A good personal injury and accident lawyer should have comprehensive education to take advantage of all possible arguments. Your lawyer should have significant accomplishments and high success rates in handling personal injury cases. Be sure to see their education credentials, awards, and other accolades.

Get a Referral

Sometimes word of mouth is the best way to find a reliable professional. Lawyers are no exception. Ask your friends, family, and law professionals for their recommendations on personal injury lawyers in Rochester Hills.

Check Their Reviews

Online reviews from other clients offer a fast way to determine if a lawyer has adequate skill and good customer service. When you need insight based on experience, reviews will tell you everything.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Lawyer

Many personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation to discuss your situation’s details and help you find out if a lawyer is right for you. A consultation allows you to get to know a personal injury lawyer and ask questions about their process. You’ll also see how they communicate, a necessary aspect of litigation.

Ask Many Questions

It can be helpful to come to a consultation equipped with a list of questions to ask a personal injury lawyer. Be sure to ask about how their pricing works, how they evaluate claims, and what else they bring as your legal partner. Ask about their approach to defense during the trial as well as their success in negotiating settlements.

Make Sure There’s a Connection

You could work with your personal injury attorney for several months as they serve as your legal partner. You should choose a lawyer whose abilities make you feel confident. In addition, you should get along and be comfortable with your lawyer, as you’ll frequently communicate with them.

Visit Their Website

A law firm with a professional-looking, informative website indicates a team of professionals who stay updated on legal matters. A website with little to no information on the lawyers and services they offer may signify an unprofessional team, although this is not always the case.

Here at Sumner & Associates, we will fight hard for your right to compensation. With over 30 years of experience dealing with personal injury, we bring aggressive, compassionate defense.

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

A personal injury lawyer assists people who have suffered physical or mental injury from someone’s negligence or intentional doing. A victim of an accident with such results can hire a personal injury lawyer to manage the civil case in or out of court. A personal injury attorney will fight diligently to help all parties reach a suitable financial settlement.

Sumner & Associates, P.C. remains passionate about fighting for your financial compensation. Recovering compensation to cover medical bills or lost wages doesn’t have to be complicated. We have the necessary skills to navigate various types of personal injury cases, whether accidental or intentional.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

A personal injury lawyer handles cases resulting from negligence with the following situations and more:

• Vehicular accidents
• Construction and other workplace accidents
• Product liability
• Premise liability
• Slip and fall accidents
• Liquor liability
• Medical malpractice
• Intentional tort

With such a big window for accidents resulting in significant injury or death, personal injury lawyers must stay prepared to handle the most challenging cases. Our law office also sees cases of dog bites, commercial vehicle accidents, asbestos exposure, significant physical disabilities, motorcycle accidents, elderly abuse, and other difficult situations. To discuss getting compensation with a personal injury lawyer in Rochester Hills, the law professionals at Sumner & Associates are available.

Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents are some of the most common personal injury cases as they often result in significant damage to vehicles and the involved parties. In Rochester Hills, our law firm frequently oversees personal injury cases from vehicle accidents, including commercial vehicles and motorcycles. We have ample experience in valuing damage and determining which party should pay.

Construction & Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents that occur at construction sites and other high-risk locations represent another common source of personal injury claims. When injuries from unsafe practices or old equipment lead to lost wages and severe physical disabilities, a personal injury lawyer can help you receive rightful compensation.

Product or Premise Liability

When faulty products or unsafe premises lead to an injury or death, a personal injury lawyer can defend you in court against top-tier companies and neglectful property managers. Whether you suffer an injury from a defective device or improperly maintained property, a personal injury attorney can find evidence to support your claim.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Property owners face liability for injuries from slip and fall accidents due to unsafe conditions. These accidents can result in severe injuries, so our team aggressively pursues compensation. We also bring in necessary experts who can prove you are not at fault.

Medical Malpractice

Personal injury lawyers understand the fear and anger you feel when medical professionals prove negligent with your treatment. We negotiate compensation for subsequent scarring and further medical treatments.

When personal injury is intentional, you require solid defense and irrefutable evidence to back up your claim. Personal injury lawyers such as the ones at our Rochester Hills firm can help you receive compensation for intentional attacks on you and your property.

What Damages Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Me Recover?

When you are in an accident, you may be facing significant expenses, from medical treatment or repairing your vehicle. In more severe cases, you may be left with funeral costs or be unable to return to work. A personal injury lawyer in Rochester Hills can aid you in recovering compensation for the following:

• Medical bills for past and continued treatment
• Lost past and future wages
• Extended suffering
• Emotional damage
• Property repairs and replacements
• Funeral expenses
• Loss of life

In Michigan, the law limits how much you can receive for non-monetary damages such as suffering and lost lives. Calculating numbers and finding supporting evidence requires a diligent attorney. If you are curious about how much you could receive for damages, call Sumner & Associates.

Medical Treatment Expenses

Serious car accidents or workplace incidents can result in medical issues that require prolonged treatment. Expenses for brain injuries and other severe problems add up quickly. A personal injury attorney can help you receive financial compensation to continue necessary treatment and receive medication.

Wages

When significant time spent recovering leaves you with lost wages or prevents you from returning to work, you may still be entitled to these wages. A personal injury attorney can calculate all wage recompensation opportunities.

Physical and Mental Suffering

When serious accidents leave you with injuries resulting in painful scarring, paralysis, depression, PTSD, or another condition, you can receive payment for this pain. Negotiations for recompensation require consistent evidence of pain interference. A Sumner & Associates, P.C. member can guide you on documenting your pain and suffering for court.

Damaged Property

On top of medical issues and a lawsuit, a totaled vehicle or other damaged property isn’t something you want to sort out yourself. Car accidents in Rochester Hills and the surrounding areas will almost always result in vehicular damage. Personal injury attorneys have ample experience filing claims with automotive insurance companies and can document all damages to your vehicle.

Funeral Costs

The cost of a beautiful funeral that honors your loved one can be outrageous. The added stress of funeral costs is not something you need. From expenses for a casket, funeral plot, tombstone, and other aspects, personal injury lawyers can assist you in gathering the necessary bills so you can receive compensation.

Life Valuation

Losing a spouse or child causes heartbreaking pain and justifies the payment of reparations. It can be hard to put a price on someone’s life, but a personal injury lawyer knows how to calculate these non-monetary aspects.

Recover Damages With a Rochester Hills Personal Injury Lawyer

When you need a personal injury lawyer, Rochester Hills leaves you with a compassionate, hardworking team of personal injury attorneys. Sumner & Associates, P.C. stands ready to be your guide in securing compensation when damages pile up after an accident. Our team of organized, compassionate, and experienced lawyers is available to answer all your questions.

Discuss your personal injury claim today. Contact Sumner & Associates, P.C. at (248) 650-0055 for a free consultation in Rochester Hills.