Detroit, MI (November 27, 2023) - Detroit police have released further details after a serious accident that occurred over the weekend and now believe alcohol was a factor in a crash on I-96 that hospitalized multiple people. According to authorities, the crash happened at about 3:30 a.m. near Telegraph Road. Police said a westbound vehicle was speeding and rear-ended another westbound vehicle. The driver of the vehicle hit had to be extricated by crews with the Detroit Fire Department using the Jaws of Life. The passenger in the rear-ended vehicle also sustained serious injuries.
Police said the at-fault driver -- a 27-year-old from Southfield -- was impaired at the time of the crash, and a warrant was sought for a blood draw. They are currently in police custody. The passengers of the at-fault vehicle experienced minor injuries and are expected to recover. No additional details were released in the meantime.
The injured victims and their loved ones remain in our thoughts.
After you've been involved in a car accident in Detroit or somewhere in Michigan, you may be confused about the next steps you should take. You are not compelled to retain legal counsel after a vehicle accident injury in Michigan, although doing so may be in your best interest. An attorney may assist in ensuring that your rights to Michigan No-Fault income loss, PIP compensation, and medical bill payment are protected.
For instance, our state's No-Fault insurance statute is intricate and full of potential pitfalls for those who aren't careful. Moreover, you must consider the practice of providing "notice" after a car accident. If you are injured in a car accident and don't apply for No-Fault benefits within one year of the accident, you may lose your right to receive any No-Fault PIP payments at all. The same holds if you fail to report and settle a sizable medical cost within a year of its accrual.
Another scenario is getting into an accident with someone who turns out to be uninsured or struck by a driver who then flees the scene. If you fail to meet the "notice" requirements of your own "uninsured motorist" policy, you may lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries and losses, leaving you with nothing — or, worse, with a mountain of expensive medical bills to pay out of pocket and no insurance to cover them in the future.
Unfortunately, your insurance company's claims adjuster may not be as helpful as expected. Did you know that, according to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Michigan, your claims adjuster is not obligated to inform you of your rights? Furthermore, they might ask you to sign a release waiving your entitlement to future No-Fault benefits and injury compensation.
Thankfully, a skilled attorney can help you safeguard your legal rights. To better understand and empathize with our clients' legal concerns, we take the time to get to know them on a personal and professional level. If you or a loved one were injured in a vehicle accident that wasn't your fault and you live in the greater Detroit area, please call our team at Christopher Trainor & Associates. If you've been in a car accident in Detroit, call (248) 886-8650 to schedule a free first consultation. Contact our Detroit-area vehicle accident attorneys as soon as possible after a crash has left you with injuries and other losses.
Note: Our firm utilized outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified the facts regarding this accident. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates immediately so that we correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available about the accident. This post can be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. This post is not a solicitation for business.