Experienced Upper Peninsula Car Accident Attorney

When you’ve been injured in a car accident, you need someone who can step up and protect you. Unfortunately, insurance companies focus more on keeping costs low than making sure you have the compensation you deserve. Rather than hoping insurance companies will treat you fairly, choose a personal injury attorney with the skill, determination and grit to fight for you. I’m Jonny L. Waara, founding attorney at Waara Law, and I am focused on handling your case the right way.

Car Wrecks Are Not All The Same

Crashes occur every day. Tens of thousands of people die in car accidents every year. Many more suffer injuries. The sheer number of accidents may lead you to believe that your case is just like everyone else’s. That isn’t true.

Two accidents that seem identical on paper can end up with totally different outcomes. The chain of events that led up to your crash is unique. The way your injuries affect your life is specific to you. The full story of your car crash and its impact is one I need to understand. Only with that understanding can you seek full compensation for what you’ve been through.

At my firm, I understand how important it is to get results for my clients. A good result can change the course of your future. It can give you the time and resources to maximize your physical and emotional recovery. I am not satisfied with a quick settlement that is “good enough” to move on to the next client. I use all resources available to me, including my decades of practice and technological resources, to protect my clients.

Specific Types Of Car Accidents

Every car accident brings its own set of challenges and legal complications. Each type requires a different approach to build a strong case for compensation. Common examples are:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Side-impact/T-bone accidents
• Drunk driving accidents
• Distracted driving accidents
• Drowsy driving accidents
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist accidents
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Commercial vehicle accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Rollover accidents

I handle all these types of cases and understand the unique legal strategies each one requires to get you the compensation you deserve.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents can cause injuries that change your life forever. Some injuries show up right away, while others may not cause symptoms for days or weeks after your crash. Accidents frequently cause:

• Whiplash and neck injuries: These soft tissue injuries can cause chronic pain and limit your movement
• Back injuries: Herniated discs and spinal cord damage can lead to permanent disability
• Traumatic brain injuries: Even mild concussions can affect your thinking, memory and personality
• Broken bones: Fractures may require multiple surgeries and leave you with permanent limitations
• Soft tissue injuries: Muscle strains and ligament damage can take months to heal properly
• Internal injuries: Organ damage and internal bleeding can be life-threatening
• Cuts and scarring: Deep lacerations may require plastic surgery and can cause permanent disfigurement
• Emotional trauma: PTSD and anxiety after an accident are real injuries that deserve compensation

The full extent of your injuries may not be clear immediately after your accident. I work with medical professionals to document all your injuries and ensure I account for future medical needs when seeking compensation.

Steps To Take After A Car Accident

What you do in the hours after an accident can make a huge difference in your case. Here are the most important steps to protect yourself and your legal rights:

• Get medical attention immediately
• Call police and file a report
• Exchange information with other drivers
• Document the scene with photos
• Talk to witnesses
• Never admit fault
• Call your insurance company
• Contact an attorney

Remember that insurance companies start investigating immediately after an accident. Having me on your side from the beginning helps ensure important evidence doesn’t disappear and that you don’t say anything that could hurt your case.

Damages You Can Recover In A Car Accident Claim

When another driver injures you, Michigan law allows you to seek compensation for many different types of losses. I fight to recover every dollar you’re entitled to under the law, such as:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Rehabilitation costs
• Future care needs

Michigan’s no-fault insurance system covers some of these damages through your insurance, but you can still sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering if your injuries meet the “serious impairment” standard. I know how to prove your case meets this threshold.

Michigan Car Accident Laws You Need To Know

Michigan has unique insurance laws that affect every car accident case. Understanding these rules is crucial to getting the compensation you deserve.

Michigan operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means your Personal Injury Protection coverage can still go to your medical bills and lost wages, no matter who caused the accident. However, you can still sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering if your injuries constitute a “serious impairment of body function.” Keep these elements in mind:

• PIP benefits: Cover medical costs, 85% of lost wages up to certain limits and replacement services
• Serious impairment threshold: Must prove your injuries significantly affect your ability to lead a normal life
• Comparative negligence: Your compensation reduces by your percentage of fault, but only if you’re less than 50% at fault
• Minimum insurance requirements: All drivers must carry PIP coverage and property protection insurance
• Three-year statute of limitations: You have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit

These laws can be confusing, and insurance companies often try to use them against accident victims. I’ve been working with Michigan’s no-fault system since 1996 and know how to navigate these complex rules to protect your interests.

Dangerous Roads In The Upper Peninsula

Because of my deep roots in the U.P., I know which roads and intersections cause the most accidents in my area. U.S. Route 41 runs right through Negaunee and sees heavy traffic from both local residents and tourists heading to popular destinations. Hazards include:

• Weather-related dangers
• Wildlife crossings
• Mining truck traffic
• Tourist congestion
• Rural road maintenance issues

I understand the unique challenges U.P. drivers face every day. When I investigate your accident, I consider all these local factors that may have contributed to your crash.

U.P. Based, U.P. Tough

The Upper Peninsula is my home. I appreciate the importance of being trustworthy, hard-working and tough, traits that define these communities. When you are going through something as difficult as this, you need to be able to rely on your lawyer. You can count on me to handle the legal issues so you can focus on your health and family.

I have been representing personal injury clients for decades, so I can provide:

• Deep knowledge of how insurance companies operate
• 29 years of practice
• Local knowledge of courts and judges
• Personal attention on every case

I’m not interested in quick settlements that shortchange my clients. At Waara Law, I serve clients in Negaunee and throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northeast Wisconsin, taking on tough cases that other attorneys might avoid.

The Car Accident Litigation Process

While many car accident cases settle through negotiations, I’m always prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to get you the compensation you deserve. The litigation process begins immediately after I take your case, even if I hope to settle without going to court. Here’s a quick overview of steps I may encounter:

• Investigation and evidence gathering
• Medical documentation
• Insurance company negotiations
• Filing a lawsuit
• Discovery process
• Mediation and arbitration
• Trial preparation
• Trial advocacy

Most cases settle before trial, but insurance companies take your case more seriously when they know I’m prepared to go to court. I keep you informed every step of the way and make sure you understand your options at each stage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Car Accident Claims

At Waara Law, I aim to cut through the confusion with a car accident claim and be a resource for my clients. Here are the answers to some common concerns:

What is the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit in Michigan for a car accident?

Generally speaking, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. The longer you wait, however, the harder it may be to obtain important evidence.

What if I am partially at fault for the car accident in Michigan?

Michigan’s comparative negligence rule allows you to file a claim so long as you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced according to your percentage of fault. For example, if your claim is worth $100,000 but you are 10% liable for your own injuries, you would only be due $90,000 in compensation.

Does Michigan have no-fault insurance laws when it comes to motor vehicle accidents?

Michigan is a “no-fault” state, which means your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage will cover your medical bills and lost wages no matter who is responsible. You can still sue the other driver, however, for economic damages not covered by your PIP insurance and pain and suffering when your injuries are deemed a “serious impairment.”

Can I still file a lawsuit if my insurance company denies coverage for my motor vehicle accident in Michigan?

If your claim is improperly denied or delayed, you do have the right to sue your PIP insurer.

How long does it typically take to settle a car accident case in Michigan?

Every claim is different. Some claims settle within a month or two, while others can take years. Generally, the more serious your injuries and the more complicated the accident, the longer a claim takes to resolve.

Contact Me To Discuss Your Car Accident Today

You can’t afford to delay after an accident. Gathering evidence, dealing with insurance companies and doing the work to build your case is easier when you have an attorney on your side as soon as possible. Call me today at 906-351-5545 or contact me online to schedule a free initial consultation.