Automobile Negligence
Halpert, Weston, Wuori & Sawusch, P.C. has handled thousands of automobile accident cases. Despite the large number of crash survivors and victims we have represented, we believe and treat each case as unique. The underlying facts, circumstances and evidence of each crash are distinctive and deserve individual attention. More importantly, the injuries and damages suffered by crash victims and survivors are particular to them and no one else.
The law firm of Halpert, Weston, Wuori & Sawusch, P.C. conducts a thorough investigation of each and every automobile collision case, often times sending out an accident reconstructionist and/or private investigator shortly after the crash. Roadway evidence, such as tire markings, debris and impact marks, may disappear in a few short days. Memories of eyewitnesses fade as time passes. The law firm adheres to a practice of prompt and timely investigation to collect evidence and preserve it long after the scene has been cleaned up and the vehicles are no longer available for inspection. We have repeatedly found that a thorough crash investigation to document the evidence is often times the key to determining who was at fault for the collision.
Whether you are the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle or motorcycle, or a pedestrian involved in a collision with a motor vehicle, the complexity of dealing with the aftermath of an automobile accident becomes apparent shortly after the crash occurs. Who will cover the acute and long-term medical expenses? Who will pay the bills when you cannot return to your job because of your injuries? Can I sue the at fault driver when Michigan is a “no fault” insurance state? These are just a few of the many questions that you or your family will no doubt ask after you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle crash. Halpert, Weston, Wuori & Sawusch has the expertise it takes to help you navigate the intricacy of insurance and liability claims involving motor vehicle accidents.
No-Fault (aka First Party) benefits include payment of your medical and wage loss. It also provides for payment of replacement services and attendant care in some situations. Most times, your own or your immediate family’s no-fault insurer is responsible for these expenses. Your no-fault benefit coverage may be “coordinated” with your own health care insurance coverage. In situations where you don’t have your own no-fault coverage, there are other insurance companies who may provide coverage, such as the at fault driver’s no fault insurer or the State of Michigan Assigned Claims Facility will assign an insurance company to pay your medical and wage losses. For more detailed information about your legal rights, see our law firm’s booklet Michigan No-Fault Law, which is linked at the bottom of this web page.
Bodily Injury (aka Third Party) Liability Claims. In some cases, someone else is at fault for the motor vehicle collision. Michigan law provides a remedy for you when your damages and losses are not covered by your own insurance company. Some of those damages may include non-economic losses, including pain and suffering, loss of function, mental anguish, scars and disfigurement, as well as economic losses in excess of your no-fault benefits. There are strict legal requirements that you must be able to prove in order to pursue this type of lawsuit.
Bodily injury liability claims may exist against a number of people or entities. Depending upon the facts, claims may exist against the driver of the vehicle in which you were a passenger, the other driver, the owner of the at-fault vehicle, a bar who served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later caused an accident, a product manufacturer, or the governmental entity that failed to maintain the roadway in a reasonably safe condition. Collisions involving trucks may invoke heightened state and federal trucking rules and regulations. In those situations, see our Trucking Accident web page.
Successfully pursuing a claim against an at-fault party is never easy. Although some law firms may settle automobile collision cases quickly, they often times fall short in obtaining the full value of the case. Halpert, Weston, Wuori & Sawusch develops each case meticulously and thoroughly for trial to prove both liability and damages. As seen in our Testimonial and Case Results web pages, our settlements and verdicts for automobile collision cases have far exceeded our client’s expectations.