Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Macomb

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Macomb, Michigan?

  Dial (586) 469-5151 to reach the Macomb County Sheriff's Office for non-emergency concerns.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Macomb, Michigan?

  Police report copies can be obtained from the Records Office in the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office at 43565 Elizabeth Road, Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043. The Records Office is open Monday to Friday (except on Wednesdays) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Wednesdays, the office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  You can also get crash reports online at https://buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com.

  Please note that accident and police reports only become available 72 hours after the incident. Each report copy costs $6. The Records Office can be reached at (586) 307-9393 for more information.

• What is the deadline to file a personal injury claim in Macomb?

  Under Michigan Laws Section 600.5805, personal injury actions must be filed within three years of the injury. The deadline may be moved further if the victim was under 18 or was mentally incapacitated at the time of the injury. There are specific personal injury claims with shorter deadlines in Macomb, such as auto accident claims which must be filed within one year, and medical malpractice claims which must be filed within two years.

• Who is liable for damages in dog bite cases in Macomb?

  Michigan implements a strict liability rule when it comes to dog attacks. This means the owner is liable for damages caused by their dog regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggressive behavior or not. However, there are two defenses to dog bite liability recognized in Macomb: provocation of the dog and trespassing on private property. If you enter a property without consent and get bitten by a dog, you won't have a personal injury case.

• Are insurance companies allowed to conduct surveillance on Macomb personal injury claimants?

  Yes. Michigan’s open discovery and court rules allow the defense/insurance company to have the claimant followed around, video recorded, or investigated as long as no law gets broken. This is why it is crucial to be honest about the circumstances of your injury to your Macomb personal injury lawyer and not lie during the deposition. Otherwise, the insurance company’s investigator may uncover information or behavior inconsistent with your statements that can negatively impact your case.

• How do you know if you can file a premises liability case in Macomb?

  Premises liability cases in Macomb, such as slip and fall, must meet certain criteria. You must be able to demonstrate that a hazardous condition existed on the property, that the property owner or their employees should have known or were aware of the hazard, and that the hazardous condition caused you to suffer an injury.

• How are personal injury cases with minor victims handled in Macomb?

  Since a minor is unable to file a lawsuit in Macomb, the court appoints a “Next Friend” to file it for them. Usually, the Next Friend is the minor’s parent, a relative, or someone preferred by the minor. Any compensation awarded to the minor will be owned by them and placed in a protected trust. If anyone spends money to address the minor's needs in relation to the injury, the person will be reimbursed from the award.