Dealing with an automobile accident can be a frustrating experience. Having the right attorney by your side can help get you compensation and let you concentrate on getting well.
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. The injuries that are most likely to post challenges to your first-party insurance claim are complex, extensive, or delayed injuries.
There are a number of different types of car accidents that can occur in Rochester Hills. However, some are more common than others. Here are the five most common car accidents that occur in Rochester Hills:
- Rear-end collisions. These types of accidents often occur when one driver is following another too closely and fails to brake in time to avoid hitting the car in front of them.
- Side-impact collisions. These accidents often occur at intersections when one car collides with the side of another.
- Head-on collisions. These accidents can be particularly serious and often occur when one driver crosses the center line into oncoming traffic.
- Rollover accidents. These accidents often occur when a driver loses control of their vehicle, causing it to roll over.
- Single-car accidents. These accidents can occur for a number of reasons, such as losing control of the vehicle or hitting a fixed object.
Our Rochester Hills, MI, car accident lawyers have seen time and time again how car accidents are challenging and frustrating to 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.
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. However, 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, a Rochester Hills car accident attorney is your best option.
Why Choose Us?
We know how painful and challenging it can be to suffer from an unexpected injury from a car accident. It affects not just you, but your children, spouse, and families. We know you just want to get well and stop the physical and emotional pain as much as the financial. As a personal injury law firm, Goodman Acker consistently prove our commitment to legal excellence through unparalleled knowledge of personal injury law and the civil court system in Oakland County and throughout Michigan. Our legacy and reputation depend on our experience and our successes. And that’s why you choose Goodman Acker to represent you or your loved one: because every injured person entitled to compensation deserves strong, consistent representation so that they can recover that compensation.
What sets our car accident attorneys apart from the rest in Rochester Hills, Michigan? It’s our standard of excellence, which includes:
- More than 150 years of combined experience
- A 99% success rate for settled cases
- Case results resulting in millions of dollars for our clients and their families
- Client-focused representation that produces strong client testimonials
- Featured regularly in the news with media outlets like Fox 2 News and Local 4 Detroit
- Commitment to and aggressive-yet-ethical, high-performing firm culture
- Availability 24/7 for client emergencies
- Free initial consultations
Our standard of excellence and the quality representation it fosters get noticed by our clients and our peers. We are consistently recognized as top personal injury lawyers by:
- Super Lawyers
- AV Martindale-Hubbell
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
Understanding No-Fault Liability for Car Accidents in Rochester Hills
Our Rochester Hills 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.
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, and insurance companies prioritize profit no matter who is at fault. As such, they may still try to deny or reduce benefits to injured parties in Rochester Hills.
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 percent, 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 payout can be reduced by 25%.
To ensure you get that compensation, you need an aggressive Rochester Hills car accident attorneys 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 Rochester Hills 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 Rochester Hills car 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 (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.
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 don’t pay anything unless we win.
Rochester Hills Car Accident FAQs
Car insurance claims in Rochester Hills can be tricky and confusing, especially since the no-fault policy is rather new in Michigan. Here, we try to answer some of the most common questions we get daily about car accident claims.
What Should I Do after a Car Accident in Michigan?
There are several things you should do if you’re in a car accident.
- Injury Check. After an accident occurs, 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 you can do so, move your vehicle to a safer location off the road. If you are unable to do so, remain where you are until emergency personnel arrives.
- Call 911. Contact the police so that a report can be created.
- Exchange information. If you can, exchange information (e.g., driver’s license and license plate numbers) with anyone else involved in the accident.
- Gather evidence. If you can, take pictures of the vehicles, the scene, weather conditions, road conditions, etc. If relevant, obtain contact information for any witnesses.
After the accident, but once the immediate steps are taken, you should request an Application for No-Fault Insurance Benefits from your insurance agent and schedule a consultation with Goodman Acker. Via a free initial consultation, we will discuss the specifics of your auto accident and make sure you know your rights.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Rochester Hills?
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.
How is a Car Accident Settlement Amount Determined in Michigan?
Several factors are taken into consideration when determining a settlement for a Rochester Hills 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
- Extent of injuries.
For a personalized answer, contact our Rochester Hills car accident attorneys at Goodman Acker.
How Can a Rochester Hills Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Our team of car accident attorneys in Rochester Hills 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 that you get the maximum of what the law allows.
Contact Our Trusted Rochester Hills Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, reach out to Goodman Acker today. Our team of experienced Rochester Hills, MI, car accident lawyers provides clients with the representation and results they deserve. Our focus is always on you and getting you the justice 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 ]
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