Fenton Car Accident Lawyer

With an Unparalleled Success Rate of 99 Percent

When you have been injured in a car wreck, you need highly skilled legal guidance to know what to do next. A qualified Fenton car accident lawyer can meet with you to discuss the process of recovering compensation for property damage and medical bills. Although Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws seem simple enough, working with insurers can become complicated.

At Goodman Acker P.C., we help you manage negotiations with adjusters to reach a fair and appropriate settlement amount to cover your injuries and property damage. Instead of facing representatives who want to minimize or even deny your claim, put us to work handling these headaches while you focus on recovering from your wounds.

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

Why Choose Goodman Acker for Your Fenton Car Accident Lawyer

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

There is more to know about us that distinguishes our car accident lawyers 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 case with our committed car accident lawyers in Fenton, MI. 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 Fenton

Our Fenton Car Accident Lawyers Explain What is at Stake

Unlike most states, 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. It is the company’s way of reducing or denying claims. This process can 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 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 since coverage for their losses 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 Fenton. 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 you cannot recover anything if you contributed to an accident and were 51 percent or more at fault. If you were at fault for anything under 50 percent, you could recover, but the value of compensation will be reduced accordingly. For example, if your auto insurer accuses you of being 25 percent at fault for the collision, your coverage can be reduced by 25 percent.

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

Can an Auto Accident Victim in Fenton 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 Fenton auto accident lawyer, auto insurance companies will adequately compensate their own insureds for the following:

• Property damage
• Medical bills
• Lost wages.

Your auto insurance company will not pay you for excess economic damages, such as loss of earned income, future doctor bills, or ongoing medical treatment. They also do not cover your non-economic damages for pain and suffering. When you have a valid claim for these losses, you can sue the at-fault party.

Our Fenton, MI, car accident lawyers find that so many injured people fail to understand that they have a claim. The no-fault policy in Michigan adds to this confusion, making victims think they can only recover for what their own insurance company will settle. If you have been in a car collision and were injured, it is in your best interests to schedule a free, no-obligation meeting to speak with us.

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

Injuries That Pose Challenges to Auto Accident Claims in Fenton

According to Michigan’s Traffic Crash Reporting System, upwards of 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. Complex, extensive, or delayed injuries will most likely pose challenges to your first-party insurance claim.

For example, if you have an existing health condition and that condition caused your injury to be worse, the insurance company may try to argue against full compensation. The same is true if you suffer whiplash, but the 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 your car accident.

Insurers will also not compensate for pain and suffering, or emotional distress caused by extensive bodily injuries such as:

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

How We Can Help Your Fenton Car Accident Case

At Goodman Acker, we are committed to you. We do not settle unless it is in your best interests. We take on these challenges of managing insurance claim paperwork and pursue whatever course is necessary. If necessary, we are ready to take them to court and are prepared for this from the start.

Our team of car accident attorneys in Fenton 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 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 that you get the maximum of what the law allows. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation. Plus, you do not pay anything unless we win.

Car Accident FAQs

Our Fenton Car Accident Lawyers Answer Your Questions

Car insurance claims in Fenton can be tricky and confusing, especially since the no-fault policy is relatively new in Michigan. Here, we answer some of the most common questions we get about car accident claims.

How Is a Car Accident Settlement Amount Determined in Michigan?

There is no single answer or set formula to determine the amount. Several factors determine a settlement for a Fenton car accident personal injury claim, including:

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

For a personalized answer, speak with a Fenton car accident attorney at Goodman Acker.

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

All accidents involving automobiles fall under Michigan’s No-Fault law. If you were involved in a truck accident or even a motorcycle accident in Fenton, you probably have an insurance claim to file and benefits to request.

How Long Do I Have to File an Accident Claim in Fenton?

In Michigan, 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 Should I Do After a Car Accident?

There are several things you should do if you are in a car accident:

• Injury check: 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.
• Safety: If possible, move your vehicle to a safer location off the road. If you cannot move the car, remain where you are until emergency personnel arrive.
• Call 911: Contact the police so that a report can be created.
• Exchange information: Exchange information (driver’s license and license plate numbers) with anyone else involved in the accident.
• Gather evidence: If possible, take pictures of the vehicles, the scene, weather conditions, road conditions, and any other details. Obtain contact information for any witnesses.

After taking these steps, you should request an Application for No-Fault Insurance Benefits from your insurance agent and schedule a consultation with Goodman Acker. During your free initial consultation, we will discuss the specifics of your auto accident and make sure you know your rights.

Contact a Qualified Fenton Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you need a Fenton car accident lawyer or personal injury attorney, contact our team online or at 248-286-8100. Our risk-free, no-obligation consultation will help determine whether you have a claim. If so, we will tailor a legal strategy to show you what we can do for 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 ]