Helping the Injured in Fenton 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. However, when it is not your fault, and another person or entity may be responsible, you need legal guidance. Working with an experienced Fenton personal injury lawyer may be the key to recovery.
At Goodman Acker P.C., our priority is you. We take care of our community members in Fenton and throughout Michigan. Our Fenton personal injury attorneys fight for your compensation, and we do not settle unless it is in your best interests.
Our 99% success rate for completed cases is a direct result of our commitment. Contact us online or at 248-286-8100 to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Choose Goodman Acker as Your Fenton Personal Injury Law Firm?
Goodman Acker is not your ordinary law firm. Our dedicated, seasoned personal injury lawyers in Fenton focus solely on laws and precedents affecting injury cases. We are empowered with legal insight that only comes from over 150 years of combined experience.
With a combined 150+ years of experience in personal injury, we have heard and seen just about every type of personal injury case.
At Goodman Acker, we rise to the challenge of your case. We use our collective knowledge, skills, and resources to make sure our Fenton community members recover what’s fair and just. Our reputation testifies to our commitment.
- Newsgroups like FOX 17 feature our law firm regularly because we are a trusted name in our communities.
- Former and current clients thank us for our help and share how our work has impacted their lives.
- We are available 24/7 for client emergencies, which is just another reason why we are trusted and respected in Fenton and throughout Michigan.
- Our reputation is also partly based on the millions of dollars we have recovered for our clients.
- Our service to you 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.
We have built relationships with medical, accident, and other experts, developing an extensive network of 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.
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 emotional wellness of a person due to another person or entity’s wrongdoing. In these claims, at least one plaintiff pursues a case for recovering damages from at least one defendant. Through litigation, the 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 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, or a professional liability policy.
Typically, an insurance claim is filed first. If a fair settlement is not reached, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed. One of our skilled personal injury attorneys in Fenton will make sure your rights and interests are secured by a strategic, well-supported personal injury claim.
Compensation for Personal Injuries in Michigan
In Michigan, the law allows injured parties to seek compensation for the damages they suffer. “Damages” in a personal injury case include the financial expenses and non-economic harm that results from an injury. Most damages that result from a personal injury incident are medical expenses and property damage.
Of course, there are other costs that can result from an injury that are neither medical nor property related. Pain and suffering, and emotional distress are non-economic damages that can be recovered by a personal injury claim. 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, and therapy
- Property damages
- Transportation costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering.
Some injuries can require lengthy recovery periods, multiple surgeries, or lifelong treatment. When an injury is expected to last for an extended period or contribute to long-term expenses, your Fenton, MI, personal injury attorney will calculate your predicted expenses for care, so you are not left facing a financial burden in the future.
What Types of Accidents Qualify for a Personal Injury Claim?
Though Michigan now limits personal injury lawsuits resulting from car accidents, you can still sue when necessary and in accordance with the law. You are still permitted to sue for full and fair compensation for injuries sustained in other types of accidents in Fenton, such as but not limited to the following:
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Wrongful death
- Bicycle accidents
- Birth injuries
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dog bite accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Nursing home incidents/accidents
- Product liability.
How Goodman Acker Can Help You with Your Personal Injury Claim
Imagine slipping and falling at a local grocery store, like Fresh Thyme Market, or being involved in a 15-car pileup accident in downtown Fenton. Regardless of what kind of accident you suffered or how it happened, you can file a claim through our personal injury lawyers in Fenton, MI, to recover compensation.
However, some people believe filing a claim with the insurance company is something they can do on their own. While this is technically true, keep in mind that insurance companies are for-profit entities. They prioritize their profits over your needs and rely on your lack of understanding about how insurance works. Only a committed, experienced Fenton personal injury attorney will advocate for your rights and represent your best interests.
To help you get the legal representation you need with fewer worries, we offer free initial consultations. This allows us to learn more about your case and give honest responses to all your questions. We know personal injuries are already traumatizing. You may not be able to work while you recover and worry about how you are going to pay your bills. You may think your life cannot get any worse.
We will not add to your stress. Instead, our Fenton, MI, personal injury lawyers will be straight with you about how we can minimize the pain you are already enduring. Rest assured that Goodman Acker will work tirelessly on your personal injury claim in Fenton so you can regain your life.
Fenton Personal Injury FAQs
Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Fenton Answer Common Questions
Personal injury claims can leave people frustrated and confused. The process itself can be overwhelming. Here, we answer some of the most common questions we get from our clients.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Fenton?
In Michigan, the statute of limitations for personal injuries and wrongful death allows three years from the date of an incident to file a personal injury claim. Additional time may be allowed when:
- the victim is considered insane at the time of the accident;
- the victim was under the age of 18 at the time of the accident; or
- the liable party/defendant is out of state and cannot be reasonably served with a lawsuit.
For medical malpractice cases, however, there is a two-year limit. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys in Fenton will help make sure you timely file a strong claim.
How Does Michigan’s No-Fault Law Affect My Personal Injury Claim?
In July 2020, the State of Michigan put into place a new auto insurance policy, also known as Michigan’s no-fault law. It affects personal injury claims involving car accidents, bus accidents, or truck accidents. The no-fault law requires all drivers to purchase and carry basic insurance covering expenses resulting from an accident.
Because this law is so new, it is important to have an attorney by your side to represent your interests and advocate for your rights. Even if you are dealing with your own auto insurance company, their priority is profits and not fair compensation.
How Do I Know I Have a Personal Injury Claim?
At Goodman Acker, we will help you understand whether you have a personal injury claim. A successful claim must prove all four elements of negligence:
- A duty was owed to you by the liable party.
- That duty was breached by the person(s) at fault.
- The breach caused you to suffer bodily injury and property damage.
- You have expenses directly related to your injuries or property damage.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Claim Worth?
At the initial free consultation, we will review your case and clarify your expectations. The real worth of any given personal injury claim, however, cannot be calculated until after a full investigation into the accident or incident.
Our highly skilled staff members and personal injury lawyers in Fenton will uncover all the facts as we work to help you secure the full value of your claim.
Contact Our Trusted Fenton Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you need a Fenton 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 outline 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 ]
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