Allendale Township Car Accident Lawyers

An Allendale Township Car Accident Lawyer Is Here to Help

An Unparalleled Success Rate of 99%

Our car accident lawyers in Allendale Township, Michigan, 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, doesn’t have to be nerve wracking. In Michigan, as a no-fault state, you first file a claim with your own auto insurance company, 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. 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’s a problem. To prevent this headache and to ensure you get the compensation owed to you, an Allendale Township car accident attorney is your best option.

Our Grand Rapids car accident attorneys at Goodman Acker use our combined 150+ years of legal experience, insight, and resources to achieve a 99% success rate.

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

There’s more to know about us that distinguishes our car accident lawyers in Grand Rapids 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.
• 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.

Get an honest review of your car accident case with our committed car accident lawyers in Allendale Township. Then get started on the path to recovery and the compensation you deserve. Call us at (248) 286-8100 to talk to our team today.

Understanding No-Fault Liability for Car Accidents in Allendale Township

Our Allendale Township Car Accident Lawyers Explain What’s at Stake

Unlike most states that 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. To recover damages, a demand letter is sent to the at-fault party’s auto insurer. The auto insurance company will do all it can to attribute fault to the injured party/victim. It’s 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. 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 Allendale Township.

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 won’t recover anything. If you were at fault for anything under 50%, you can recover, but the value of compensation 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%.

Just because we are a no-fault state does not guarantee just and fair compensation for auto accident victims in Allendale Township.

To ensure you get that compensation, you need an aggressive car accident attorney in Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids 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 Allendale Township auto accident lawyer, auto insurance companies will adequately compensate their own insureds for:

• Property damage
• Medical bills
• Lost wages.

Your auto insurance company, however, will not pay you for excess economic damages (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.

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 recover only what their own insurance company will settle for.

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

With a 99% success rate at Goodman Acker, your odds of winning your case are good if our Allendale Township car accident attorney takes your case.

Injuries that Pose Challenges to Auto Accident Claims in Allendale Township

According to Michigan’s Traffic Crash Reporting System, more than 20,000 auto crashes occur in Kent County in any given year. Of that number, one-fifth involve injuries and, to a very limited extent, fatalities. The injuries that are most likely to post challenges to your first-party insurance claim are complex, extensive, or delayed injuries.

For example, if you have an existing health condition and that condition exacerbated the injury, the insurance company may try to argue against full compensation. The same is true if, as another example, you suffered whiplash but symptoms do not appear until a few days after the accident. In this example, the insurance company may argue that the whiplash is related to another matter and not necessarily the car accident.

Insurers will not compensate for pain and suffering or emotional distress caused by extensive bodily injury like the following:

• Disfigurement and severe scarring
• Nerve damage resulting in a loss of sensation
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis.

At Goodman Acker, we are committed to you. We don’t settle unless it’s in your best interests. We take on these challenges and pursue whatever course is necessary, and we do it with determination and the strength of our shared 150+ years of experience.

FAQs

Our Allendale Township Car Accident Lawyer Answers Your Questions

What Should I Do after I Have Been in a Car Accident?

After an accident, check yourself and others in the vehicle for injuries. Next, check others in any vehicle or surrounding area that also may have been involved in the accident. Move your vehicle to a safer location off the road if you can. If you can’t, remain where you are until emergency personnel arrives.

Call 911 and ensure that you get a police report. If you can, exchange information such as a driver’s license, insurance, and license plate numbers with anyone involved in the accident. Take pictures of the vehicles, the scene, weather conditions, and road conditions. If relevant, obtain contact information for witnesses.

You should schedule a consultation with an Allendale Township car accident attorney at Goodman Acker.

How Long after My Car Accident in Allendale Township Can I Wait to File my Claim?

In Michigan, insurance companies give you one year to file a claim. However, in some situations, you may have three years for a personal injury lawsuit resulting from a car accident.

What Does It Mean That Michigan Is a No-Fault State?

Car accident attorneys in Allendale Township can explain in greater detail, but the gist of Michigan being a no-fault state means you file an insurance claim with your auto insurance even if you weren’t at fault. This could be more beneficial to you than you realize.

How Can an Allendale Township Car Accident Attorney Help Me?

Our car accident lawyers in Allendale Township thoroughly understand the laws and policies regarding auto collisions in Michigan. We work hard to maximize your chances of receiving fair and adequate compensation by:

• Gathering witness statements, accident reports, and, among other evidence, the investigation file from the police
• Gathering and reviewing your medical records and submitting your claims for medical bills
• Communicating and negotiating with your automobile insurance adjuster for you
• Keeping you informed and providing ongoing advice until your claim is satisfied
• Getting you the best possible settlement for your pain and suffering.

Accident Lawyer Today

With more than 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. Goodman Acker also specializes in truck and motorcycle accidents.

At Goodman Acker, we have a team of Allendale Township car accident lawyers and support staff. Our law firm is well versed in the laws surrounding car accident claims as well as many other types of legal cases. Our lawyers work tirelessly to ensure you’re getting the compensation you deserve.

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 ]