Farmington Hills is the second largest city in Oakland County, and while it’s known for being safe and charming, it’s not immune to accidents. The latest Michigan traffic report shows 35,386 total crashes in Oakland County, with at least 53 reported incidents resulting in fatalities. Two of the most dangerous roads in the state of Michigan are also located near Farmington Hills, including the roundabout at the intersection of Orchard Lake Road and 14 Mile Road and the intersection of Orchard Lake Road and 12 Mile Road.
While getting into an auto accident can have devastating effects, know that our experienced auto accident lawyers at Giroux Pappas are ready to help you. Our legal team has decades of experience fighting for families and individuals throughout Michigan, including Farmington Hills.
Common Causes of Incidents in Farmington Hills
Based on recent traffic data, the top causes of auto accidents in Farmington Hills include:
- Distracting Driver:(2,132 reports): This includes texting while driving, eating food while driving, or any activity that would take the driver’s eyes away from the road.
- Deer (2,125): Even when going under 25 mph, hitting a deer can have devastating effects.
- Work Zone (2,024): Work zones can be incredibly dangerous for drivers because it’s easy to become distracted by the construction work and because road debris can cause unforeseen roadblocks.
- Truck/Bus (1,296): Incidents involving semi-trucks or large passenger buses are serious and can result in concussions, traumatic brain injuries, amputation, and in severe cases, even death.
Filing a Claim After a Car Accident in Farmington Hills
First, there are two types of claims you could file in Farmington Hills:
- No-Fault/First-Party: All Michigan drivers are required to carry no-fault automobile insurance. By filing a no-fault claim, you could recover economic damages, such as lost wages, attendant care, household services, and medical expenses. These expenses are usually, but not always, paid out by the insurance company of the person filing the claim.
- Third-Party: Third-party claims can be filed to cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering and are filed against the at-fault driver where negligence caused the injuries. These types of claims are paid by the other party (negligent driver)’s insurance company.
If you’re filing a no-fault claim under your own insurance policy, your insurance company will handle the internal process. You’ll contact them and provide them with your name and contact information, the model, make, and year of the car you were driving at the time of the incident, the names and contact information of any other people involved in the accident, the location and time of the accident, and other details.
If you want to file a third-party claim on the other party’s policy, we highly recommend seeking guidance from an experienced auto accident attorney.
What to Do After an Accident in Farmington Hills
- Get off the road in a SAFE location (highway shoulders are not always the safest spots), and always assess your safety before getting out of the vehicle.
- Check yourself for injuries and call 911 if needed.
- If injuries allow, step out of the vehicle and exchange information with the other driver, including name, address, email, driver’s license, phone number, insurance information, car details, and registration information. Don’t do anything that would admit fault, like apologizing to the other driver. Just exchange contact information.
- Document what you can on-site, including taking photos and obtaining the names and contact information of witnesses.
- Call your insurance company to report the accident.
- Retain all medical records and bills if you sought medical care.
- Consult an auto accident attorney, especially if you plan to file a third-party claim.
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FAQs
It can be challenging to recover from an auto accident; know that our auto accident attorneys at Giroux Pappas are here to provide the support you need during this time. Some of the most common questions we receive from clients include:
What Can I Recover?
You could recover economic damages for items with a set monetary value, including medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care and household services. If you file a third-party claim, you could also recover non-economic damages for pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, or other damages that don’t have a set monetary value. There are no statutory caps on how much you could recover from a third-party auto accident claim; the worth of your claim varies based on the severity of your injuries, the amount of fault assigned to you, and other factors.
How Long Do I Have to File an Auto Accident Claim in Farmington Hills?
The statute of limitations varies based on the type of claim. For no-fault/first-party claims, you have one year from the date of the accident. For third-party claims, you have three years from the date of the accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Liability can be complex and varies depending on the specific accident. Michigan’s Owners Liability statute provides some clarification. It is important to know that the owner of a motor vehicle is liable for the negligent operation of the vehicle by any person using the vehicle with the owner’s express or implied knowledge. However, if a car was stolen, the owner of the stolen vehicle would not be held liable.
You can view this guide to learn more about how attorneys and other professionals determine fault in auto accidents.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer in Farmington Hills?
How much you pay to an auto accident lawyer will vary based on their compensation model. There are several types, including flat, hourly, retainer, hybrid, and contingency. Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys operates under a contingency fee model, which means that we do not charge you any money until we win your case. If we win your case, we will take an agreed-upon percentage.
What Happens If the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you can still file a no-fault/first-party claim with your insurance company. We also recommend purchasing uninsured and underinsured motorist cover, which can provide supplemental compensation.