Allen Park Car Accident Lawyers Fighting for the Injured

Allen Park Car Accident Lawyers

With an Unparalleled Success Rate of 99 Percent

Our car accident lawyers in Allen Park have seen time and time again how car accidents wrack the nerves of our clients. The process to recover compensation for property damage and medical bills, however, does not have to be nerve-wracking.

In Michigan, as a no-fault state, you first file a claim with your own auto insurance company and not the other driver’s insurance carrier. That would seem easy enough. But is it?

Generally speaking, when damages are minimal and injuries are straightforward and insignificant, the process tends to go smoothly if you know what you are doing. But when injuries are more extensive and complex or materialize days or weeks after the accident, your own insurance company may try to deny or reduce coverage.

That is a problem. To prevent this headache and to ensure you get the compensation owed to you, a Wayne County car accident attorney is your best option.

At Goodman Acker, we are not just any old personal injury law firm in Allen Park. Our diverse team of highly skilled car accident attorneys treats each client as though they are family. We have been representing our community members in and outside of Allen Park for decades, so in many ways, you are family.

But there is more to know about us that distinguishes our car accident lawyers in Allen Park from the rest.

• We have 150+ years of combined legal experience,
• We have a success rate of 99% for cases we conclude,
• We are routinely featured by newsgroups, like Fox 17 News and Local 4 Detroit,
• We are available 24/7 for client emergencies,
• We have won millions of dollars for our clients,
• We offer free initial consultations to get you started, and
• We treat our clients like family, and their testimonials reflect that.

Our reputation is backed by awards and recognition, like inclusion on the Super Lawyers list, an AV Martindale-Hubbell Rating, and a spot on the list of Top 100 Trial Lawyers.

Understanding No-Fault Liability for Car Accidents in Allen Park

Our Wayne County Car Accident Lawyers Explain What’s at Stake

Unlike most states, which follow the theory of fault liability, Michigan has joined a handful of states that adhere to the theory of no-fault liability for automobile accidents. Claims are handled through personal injury protection (PIP).

In simple terms, this means you file an insurance claim with your own auto insurer — even if you were not at fault for the accident.

In at-fault states, the responsibility for covering car accident damages falls on the driver who caused the collision and their respective insurance company. A demand letter is sent to the at-fault party’s auto insurer to recover damages.

The auto insurance company will do all it can to attribute fault to the injured party/victim. It is the company’s way of reducing or denying claims. The process can, to say the least, become a real hassle when an injured person is trying to recover and pay bills.

Is No-Fault Liability in Michigan Better than Fault Liability?

It would seem, on the face of it, that no-fault liability is better. Without the need to prove liability, the claims process often does not involve negotiation with the other parties. However, the policyholder may still have to prove their case.

Coverage is not guaranteed. Also, insurance companies prioritize profit regardless of whether they are in Michigan or a fault-based state. As such, they will still try to deny or reduce benefits to injured parties in Allen Park.

One way insurance companies deny or reduce benefits is the same here as in fault-based states: they try to attribute fault to the injured party. Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence policy.

This policy holds that if you contributed to an accident and were 51% or more at fault, you will not recover anything. If you were at fault for anything under, and including, 50 percent, you could recover, but the compensation value will be reduced accordingly.

For example, if your auto insurer accuses you of being 25% at fault for the collision, your coverage can be reduced by 25%.

To ensure you get that compensation, you need an aggressive car accident attorney in Allen Park with a 99% success rate and 150+ years of experience from which to draw insight. Call us at 248-286-8100 for your free consultation.

Can an Auto Accident Victim in Allen Park Still Sue the At-Fault Driver?

Under Michigan’s no-fault policy, lawsuits against the at-fault party are rare. If negotiated by a talented Allen Park auto accident lawyer, auto insurance companies will adequately compensate their own insured for:

• Property damage,
• Medical bills, and
• Lost wages.

Your auto insurance company, however, will not pay you for excess economic damages (e.g., loss of earned income, future, or ongoing medical treatment, etc.) or non-economic damages for pain and suffering. When you have a valid claim for these damages, you can sue the at-fault party.

But so many injured people fail to understand that they have a claim. The no-fault policy in Michigan adds to this confusion — victims think they can only recover for what their own insurance company will settle.

So, if you have been in a car collision and were injured, it is in your best interests to, at a minimum, speak with us. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation. Plus, you do not pay anything unless we win.

Common Car Crash Injuries in Allen Park

The number of serious and fatal car crashes, which was already high, has increased significantly since coronavirus lockdowns hit Michigan. Motorists who drove on nearly empty roads developed bad habits, like excessive speeding and drunk driving. Like most bad habits, these bad habits have proven easy to form and hard to break. Some common injuries include:

• Broken Bones: The extreme force in a high-speed wreck often crushes bones, especially arm and leg bones. Since doctors must use metal parts to reconstruct these bones, physical therapy is longer and more difficult.
• Whiplash: The extreme motion in a wreck causes this head-neck injury, which most diagnostic tests do not detect. As a result, many victims do not get the treatment they need, and their physical conditions deteriorate.
• Internal Injuries: The force in a wreck also causes internal organs to smash against each other, causing slow blood leaks. Because of these slow and steady leaks, many victims are on the edge of hypovolemic shock by the time doctors treat them.

Pre-existing medical conditions increase the risk and/or severity of these and other car crash injuries. Usually, insurance companies cannot use these pre-existing conditions as an excuse to reduce or deny compensation. Instead, defendants must take victims as they find them, whether these victims are in excellent health or frail health.

These injuries are very expensive to treat, and most victims cannot work as they recover. These economic losses are just the beginning.

Noneconomic injury-related losses in car crash claims include pain and suffering, loss of consortium (companionship), emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment in life. Frequently, these noneconomic losses exceed the economic losses. However, insurance companies never compensate victims for these damages.

Only an Allen Park car crash lawyer can obtain the compensation victims need as well as the compensation they deserve.

Car Accident FAQs

Our Allen Park Car Accident Lawyers Answer Your Questions

When sudden and unexpected vehicle collisions turn life upside down, we take as much time as necessary to answer all your questions about your case, so you make better decisions for yourself and your family.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Michigan?

The aforementioned injuries are usually debilitating. So, car crash victims often are not able to do anything following car accidents. Even if injuries aren’t debilitating, many victims are confused and disoriented, usually because of their head injuries. So, our Allen Park car accident lawyers only recommend victims do three things after a crash:

• Remain at the Scene: Every injury collision is a police matter. The participants cannot simply exchange information and move on. Always call 9-1-1 and wait for officers to arrive at the scene.
• See a doctor: Adrenaline masks pain, which is why many people “feel fine” after a car accident. Do not be fooled and do not refuse treatment at the scene. Only a doctor can determine how badly you were injured.
• Call a Lawyer: Similarly, only an Allen Park car accident lawyer can determine how much compensation you are entitled to. Additionally, an insurance adjuster represents the company. A Wayne County car accident lawyer represents you and builds a strong legal claim for you.

We also urge victims to not do certain things. For example, never apologize to the other driver, even if you feel you were at fault. An insurance company lawyer can twist a well-meaning apology into an admission of liability.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Allen Park?

In most cases, you have one year to file a claim with your insurance company. In some cases, you may have three years for a personal injury lawsuit stemming from the car accident.

What Types of Accidents Fall under Michigan’s No-Fault Law?

The no-fault law applies to “fender bender” accidents that only cause property damage. These victims may file PIP (personal injury protection) claims with their insurance companies and obtain compensation for their economic losses.

The no-fault law does not apply to serious injury collisions. Michigan law defines a serious injury as death, permanent disfigurement, or the severe limitation of a bodily function. These victims may partner with an Allen Park car accident lawyer and obtain additional compensation in court.

Generally, if your vehicle had to be towed away from the scene because it was damaged so badly, you probably sustained a serious injury under state law.

How is a Car Accident Settlement Amount Determined in Michigan?

Several factors are considered when determining a settlement for an Allen Park car accident personal injury claim. There is no single answer or set formula to determine the amount. Some factors include:

• Missed work,
• Medical costs,
• Other related medical costs, like transportation to and from appointments,
• Contributory negligence, and
• The extent of injuries.

For a personalized answer, contact our Allen Park car accident attorneys at Goodman Acker.

How Can a Wayne County Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?

Our team of car accident attorneys in Allen Park understands the laws and policies surrounding auto collisions in Michigan. We will take the following steps, at a minimum, to maximize your chances of receiving fair and adequate compensation:

• We will gather witness statements, accident reports, and, among other evidence, the investigation file from the police.
• We will gather and review your medical records and submit your claims for medical bills.
• We will communicate and negotiate with your automobile insurance adjuster for you.
• We will keep you informed and provide ongoing advice until your claim is satisfied.
• We will get you the best possible settlement for your pain and suffering.

With over 150 years of combined experience, you can rest assured that we will give 100% of our skills and resources to ensure you get the maximum of what the law allows.

Contact Our Trusted Allen Park Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact Goodman Acker today. Our team of experienced Wayne County car accident attorneys provides clients with the representation and results they deserve. Our focus is always on you.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]