How We Can Help
Helping The Injured in Grand Rapids with A 99% Success Rate
Many times, when a person gets hurt in an accident, it is no one’s fault but their own. In these cases, recovery is up to that person alone. When it’s not your fault, another person or entity may be responsible, and finding an experienced Grand Rapids personal injury lawyer for help may be the key to recovery.
Imagine slipping and falling at a local grocery store, like Fresh Thyme Market, or being involved in a 15-car pileup accident in downtown Grand Rapids! Whatever type of accident it was or however it transpired, you can file a claim through a personal injury lawyer in Grand Rapids to recover compensation.
The problem is this: Some people do not think they need a lawyer. They think filing a claim with the insurance company is enough. Though that may be true in some cases, it is important to keep in mind that insurance companies are for-profit entities.
Their priority is profits, and that is true even if you are their insured. Only a committed, experienced Grand Rapids personal injury attorney will advocate for your rights and represent your best interests. Our priority is you.
We take care of our community members in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan. Our Grand Rapids personal injury attorneys fight for your compensation — we do not settle unless it is in your best interests. In fact, our 99% success rate for cases we conclude directly results from our commitment.
Contact us online or at (248) 951-9596 to schedule a free consultation today with our dedicated, seasoned personal injury lawyers in Grand Rapids.
What Sets Us Apart?
We accept the challenge and use the information, talents, and resources available to us as a group to guarantee that the people of the Grand Rapids community are given back what is just. Our reputation testifies to our commitment.
We are not your typical law company. Personal injury law is our sole area of concentration here. Because we have the kind of experience that can only be gained through practice, we can draw on the unique legal insight that this affords us.
Our collective expertise in personal injury exceeds 150 years, and as a result, we have been exposed to virtually every conceivable variety of personal injury cases.
Why Choose Us?
We have built relationships and developed extensive resources. We know all the tricks insurance companies may try to use to minimize or avoid a payout. We can also handle the types of personal injury cases other attorneys do not handle because they do not have the talent or resources to handle them.
Newsgroups, like FOX 17, feature our law firm regularly – we are a trusted name in our communities. Former and current clients thank us for our help – and you can read our client testimonials to get a better understanding of how our work has impacted their lives.
We are available 24/7 for client emergencies, which is just another reason we are trusted and respected in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan. Our reputation is also partly based on the millions of dollars we have recovered for our clients.
Plus, we offer free initial consultations. This allows us to learn more about your case and give honest responses to all your questions. As it is, personal injuries are already traumatizing. You may not be able to work while you recover.
You may not know how you are going to pay your bills. You may think your life cannot get any worse. We will not add to your stress. We will be straight with you. And we will do what we can to minimize the pain you are already enduring.
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. Rest assured, if you have a personal injury claim in Grand Rapids and want to move forward with it, we will work hard so that you can regain your life.
Personal Injury Practice Areas in Grand Rapids
At Goodman Acker, we are committed to helping injury victims in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. Our experienced team handles a wide variety of personal injury cases, including but not limited to:
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Car Accidents
If you’ve been involved in a car crash, we’ll work to hold the responsible parties accountable and fight for your full compensation. -
Truck Accidents
Collisions involving large commercial vehicles require specialized knowledge. We advocate for victims of truck accidents to ensure they receive the justice they deserve. -
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can lead to severe injuries. Our attorneys are dedicated to securing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. -
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners must maintain a safe environment. If you’ve been injured due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property, we can help. -
Medical Malpractice
Healthcare professionals must provide proper care. If you’ve suffered due to medical negligence, we’ll fight for your rights. -
Workers’ Compensation
If you’ve been injured at work, you may be entitled to compensation. We guide you through the workers’ comp process to ensure you get the benefits you deserve. -
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is devastating. We offer compassionate legal representation for wrongful death cases. -
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog owners are responsible for their pets’ actions. If you’ve been bitten, we can help you pursue compensation for your injuries. -
Defective Product Injuries
Dangerous or defective products can cause serious harm. We help victims of faulty products hold manufacturers accountable. -
Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can result in serious, life-altering injuries. Our attorneys are experienced in handling claims for cyclists injured in accidents.
Whatever the cause of your injury, Goodman Acker’s Grand Rapids team is here to help you navigate the legal process and recover the compensation you deserve.
Personal Injury Claims Versus Insurance Claims
“Personal injury” is a legal term that can be defined as a case that involves harm to the body and/or emotional wellness of a person due to another person or entity’s wrongdoing. At least one plaintiff pursues a case for recovering damages from at least one defendant.
Through litigation, interested parties work to discover who is responsible for the injuries, calculate the extent of the damages, and compensate the victim for those damages. Insurance claims, on the other hand, do not involve the courts.
When a person is injured, they file a claim with an insurance company, either their own or the insurer representing the negligent party. Depending on the type of accident, a claim may be filed against:
- An auto insurance policy
- A homeowner’s or property owner’s policy
- A renter’s policy
- A professional liability policy.
Typically, an insurance claim is filed first. Then, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed if a fair settlement is not reached. One of our skilled personal injury attorneys in Grand Rapids will make sure a strategic, well-supported personal injury claim secures your rights and interests.
Compensation for Personal Injuries in Michigan
In Michigan, the law allows injured parties to seek compensation for their damages. “Damages” in a personal injury case include the financial expenses and noneconomic harm that results from an injury.
Most damages that result from a personal injury incident are medical expenses and property damage. When an injury is expected to last for an extended period or contribute to long-term expenses, litigation attempts to project the total costs of the incident.
Of course, other costs can result from an injury that is neither medical nor property related. Pain and suffering and emotional distress are noneconomic damages that a personal injury claim can recover.
In rare cases, punitive damages (also known as exemplary damages) may be recovered if the liable party acted with malice or willful disregard for the victim’s rights.
In general, a person injured by another person’s negligence may be able to recover any or all of the following:
- Medical bills (including surgery, medication, rehabilitation, therapy, etc.)
- Property damages
- Transportation costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering.
Contact Our Trusted Grand Rapids Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Our risk-free, no-obligation consultation will help determine whether you have a claim. If so, we will outline what we can do for you.
If you need a Grand Rapids personal injury attorney, contact our team online or call at (248) 951-9596.
FAQs About Personal Injury
Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Grand Rapids Answer Common Questions
Because this is your well-being and life we are talking about, it’s important to ask the right questions before you decide on who will represent you.
Most Grand Rapids personal injury lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis. That means you will not have to pay anything unless you win your personal injury case and get money damages.
In a contingency fee agreement, you do not have to pay any lawyer fees immediately. Instead, when the case is over, your personal injury attorney will take a set amount of the money you win.
One of the most important things you can do is hire an attorney who has worked on cases like yours for a long time. You can think about your lawyer’s legal experience the same way you feel about your doctor’s medical experience.
Even though a generalist knows what is wrong with you, a specialist is the best choice to give you the best service.
Even if an attorney has worked on cases like yours before, they still need to become a superstar attorney. You want someone who has been to court and won cases like yours. Most cases are settled out of court before they go to trial.
Still, if the case goes to court, you want to ensure your lawyer has enough jury trial experience. A common mistake is to think that all lawyers know how to try a case in court. This is not true at all. So, when you ask questions, find out if they can file a lawsuit.
Every personal injury claim will have its own set of problems and issues. A lawyer with a lot of experience will be able to show you these things without much trouble. If the lawyer tells you that your case will be easy and there will be no problems, that should be a big warning sign.
There is never anything simple or easy. The legal system is very complicated, and an attorney who has a history of successfully settling different kinds of cases will tell you this upfront.
Just as you would want to see proof of past results and how the case relates to other cases, you might also want to see what other clients have said about the service.
No matter the outcome of your case, expenditures for obtaining medical records, submitting documents, and other crucial administrative tasks will need to be paid.
Depending on the attorney, you may be responsible for these charges whether you win or lose. In short, make sure to ask your attorney about their policy for out-of-pocket costs, win or lose.
Your initial consultation may occasionally be with a senior lawyer at a nearby personal injury practice. Additionally, just because they were your first point of contact does not necessarily indicate they would be the ones closely overseeing your case.
Discover the person who will be handling your case when you have questions. Is a senior attorney handling it, or will junior associates with less expertise handle the bulk of the work? If the latter, enquire about their training, experience, and management style.
Because every case is different, there is no settlement fee calculator or accurate formula out there. Still, as your lawyer looks into the details of your case, he or she should be able to give you an idea of what that range might be.
You should also know that the value of your case can be affected by how well your lawyer can try cases in court and talk with the insurance company. If your lawyer is ready and willing to take your case to court, you can be sure that they will fight for the most money in the settlement offer.
On the other hand, if your lawyer always settles cases and never goes to court, you can expect that he or she will do the same for you and settle your case for less.
Your lawyer should be able to fight hard to get you the most money for your case. They should know how to talk to insurance adjusters in a way that will lead to a fair settlement. And if your case goes to court, you want to make sure that your lawyer is up to the task.
Settlement talks can take a long time, especially if the client has been poorly hurt or lost a lot of money. This is because so many factors must be considered, such as the other party’s actions, the intricacy of the case, the court’s schedule and delays, settlement intentions, and more.
All you can do is hope that your attorney has handled many cases like yours before and can give you a rough estimate of how long it will take to reach a settlement.
These may not be your only questions; our attorneys will discuss your specific concerns in your initial consultation.
Goodman Acker P.C. – Grand Rapids Office Location
1500 E Beltline Ave SE #235
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(248) 965-0816
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 ]
ABOUT GOODMAN ACKER
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