Southgate Car Accident Lawyers Fighting for the Injured

Wayne County Car Accident Lawyers

With an Unparalleled Success Rate of 99 Percent

Our car accident lawyers in Southgate have seen time and time again how car accidents wrack the nerves of our clients. However, the process to recover compensation for property damage and medical bills 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 your insurance company may try to deny or reduce coverage when injuries are more extensive and complex or materialize days or weeks after the accident.

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

At Goodman Acker, we are not just any old personal injury law firm in Southgate. 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 Southgate for decades, so you are family in many ways.

But there’s more to know about us that distinguishes our car accident lawyers in Southgate 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 Top 100 Trial Lawyers list.

Understanding No-Fault Liability for Car Accidents in Southgate

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

No-fault auto insurance laws, like the one Michigan lawmakers approved in 2020, are highly controversial. Advocates claim, without much proof, that no-fault laws lower auto insurance rates. Opponents claim that these laws increase insurance fraud.

The “swoop and squat” insurance scam is a good example. Unscrupulous drivers pull out in front of unsuspecting drivers and slam on their brakes to induce rear-end collisions. Then, they immediately report these “accidents” to their insurance companies and obtain compensation for their economic losses.

Since a Southgate car accident lawyer does not get involved and scrutinize the case, these fraudsters often do not get caught. Other policyholders pay for these fraudulent claims in the form of higher premiums.

Fortunately, as discussed below, Michigan has a very low serious injury threshold. Therefore, the no-fault law usually only applies in cases like parking lot fender bender accidents.

What’s the Difference between No-Fault Liability and Fault Liability?

As mentioned, the no-fault law usually only applies to accidents in which one vehicle was unoccupied or in very low-speed collisions.

These victims may use their PIP (personal injury protection) insurance clauses to obtain compensation for property damage or lost wages. Usually, it is illegal for insurance companies to raise rates if their policyholders file valid PIP claims.

If the vehicle collision causes a serious injury, victims may partner with a Southgate car accident lawyer and obtain additional compensation. Michigan law defines a serious injury as:

• Death,
• Disfigurement, or
• Serious impairment of bodily function.

Most tort claims, or fault claims, are based on that third bullet point. There is a difference between serious impairment and permanent impairment. The severity might last as little as a few hours. Furthermore, the law does not define “serious impairment.” So, this phrase is very subjective.

The additional compensation in a tort case usually includes money for noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering. This compensation does not magically make things better. However, the compensation helps victims pick up the pieces of their lives. At this point, that is the best possible outcome.

To ensure you get that compensation, you need an aggressive car accident attorney in Southgate 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 Southgate Still Sue the At-Fault Driver?

Absolutely. The no-fault law does not affect seriously injured victims’ legal and financial rights.

Driver error causes about 98 percent of car accidents in Michigan. Usually, these errors are negligence, which is a lack of care. An ordinary negligence claim in the Wolverine State has four basic elements:

• Duty: Under state law, most noncommercial motorists have a duty of reasonable care. They must drive defensively and avoid accidents when possible. Commercial operators, like Uber drivers and bus drivers, may have a higher duty of care.
• Breach: Drivers violate (breach) their duty of care when their behavior falls below the standard of care. If Dan was speeding 5mph over the limit when he hit Lisa, Dan might not have had to pay compensation. If Dan was speeding 20mph over the limit when he hit Lisa, Dan probably breached his duty of care.
• Cause: Victim/plaintiffs must prove factual cause and legal cause. Factual cause is substantial cause. Bad weather contributes to crashes, but driver negligence causes them. Victims/plaintiffs must also prove foreseeability, a complex legal concept that a Southgate car accident lawyer should evaluate.
• Damages: Most victims/plaintiffs must sustain actual damages. Near-miss accidents are frightening, but these victims are usually not eligible for compensation in Michigan.

Defective products, mostly defective tires, usually cause the other 2 percent of car accidents in Michigan.

If the tortfeasor violated a safety law, like the DUI law, the negligence per se shortcut might apply. Tortfeasors could be responsible for damages as a matter of law if they break a safety law and that violation causes a car wreck.

On a related note, the legally responsible party may not be financially responsible. DUI wrecks are a good example. Commercial alcohol providers, like restaurants and bars, could be financially responsible for these accidents under Michigan’s dram shop law.

Injuries that Pose Challenges to Auto Accident Claims in Southgate

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.

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 the symptoms only appear 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 a car accident.

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

• 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 do not 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.

Car Accident FAQs

Our Southgate Car Accident Lawyer Answers Your Questions

Car insurance claims in Wayne County can be tricky and confusing, especially since Michigan’s no-fault policy is rather new. Here, we try to answer some of the most common daily questions about car accident claims.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Michigan?

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

1. Injury Check. 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.
2. Safety. If you can do so, move your vehicle to a safer location off the road. If you cannot do so, remain where you are until emergency personnel arrives.
3. Call 911. Contact the police so that a report can be created.
4. Exchange information. If you can, exchange information (e.g., driver’s license and license plate numbers) with anyone else involved in the accident.
5. 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 Southgate?

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 from the car accident.

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

All accidents involving automobiles fall under Michigan’s no-fault law. So, if you were involved in a truck accident or even a motorcycle accident in Southgate, you probably have an insurance claim to file and benefits to request.

How is a Car Accident Settlement Amount Determined in Michigan?

Several factors are considered when determining a settlement for a Southgate 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
• The extent of injuries.

For a personalized answer, contact our Wayne County car accident attorneys at Goodman Acker.

How Can a Southgate Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?

Our team of car accident attorneys in Southgate 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 Southgate Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a car accident reach out to 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 ]