DEPENDABLE, ETHICAL, AND RESULT-ORIENTED FATAL CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER IN GRAND RAPIDS
Let Our Experienced Attorneys Fight for You and Get You Fair Compensation
Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident can be devastating and emotionally overwhelming. While dealing with the grief, you might want to seek compensation from the person you believe caused the accident. Navigating the legal process while dealing with your grief can seem like a lot, but, thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone.
Our experienced fatal car accident lawyer in Grand Rapids can help you. We will provide emotional support and guidance and help you through the legal process. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of Michigan’s laws and a commitment to pursuing justice, and we will do all we can to hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions.
We will treat you with dignity and respect from the initial consultation until we conclude your case. So, if you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, contact Goodman Acker, P.C., to get started on your case. Call us at 248-286-8100 to schedule a free case review.
Why choose our Grand Rapids fatal car accident lawyer?
At Goodman Acker, P.C., we have dedicated our careers to helping car accident victims and their loved ones seek compensation from those responsible for their accidents. We have done this for over thirty years, recovering millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Our client testimonials show our dedication to every case we handle, and we have an excellent relationship with those we’ve represented.
Our lawyers are committed to securing a favorable outcome and helping you maximize your compensation. We are also unafraid to go against insurance companies and will aggressively pursue them to ensure they offer fair settlements and do not infringe on your rights and interests. You can always count on us to put your interests first, so do not hesitate to contact us and discuss your case with our team.
What are the causes of fatal car accidents in Grand Rapids, Michigan?
Fatal car accidents happen quite often, and sometimes, those who initially survive the accident pass away later from their injuries. The following are some of the common causes of fatal car collisions:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Running red lights
- Adverse weather conditions
- Fatigue.
In Michigan, crash data revealed there were 1,123 fatalities from car accidents in 2022. These crashes and deaths are avoidable if drivers exercise more care while on the road. We understand does not always happen, so get legal representation if a careless driver’s actions led to a collision that caused the death of your loved one.
Who can file a claim after a fatal car accident in Grand Rapids?
When you lose a loved one in a fatal car accident, one of the questions on your mind will likely be whether you can take legal action to recover financial compensation. This is especially true if the deceased was the breadwinner of your family or someone who supported you financially. The first thing you need to know is that not everyone can file a lawsuit after losing a loved one to an accident.
Under Michigan law, only personal representatives mentioned in the deceased’s will or appointed by the probate court can take legal action. However, the personal representative must be a family member and does not necessarily have to be a beneficiary of the deceased. Any settlement or verdict awarded in a trial goes to the legal beneficiaries, namely the victim’s spouse, children, and parents.
What compensation can you recover in a fatal car accident lawsuit?
Another point of concern for the legal beneficiaries of deceased car accident victims is the compensation they can recover. Generally, you should receive compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Under Michigan law, you can recover the following wrongful death benefits from the at-fault driver:
- All reasonable medical, hospital, funeral, and burial expenses the estate is liable for
- Reasonable compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by the deceased during the period between the injury and death
- Damages for the loss of financial support and the loss of the deceased’s society and companionship, including “loss of service,” “loss of gifts or other valuable gratuities,” and “loss of parental training and guidance.”
Also, if the deceased had a No-Fault insurance policy before their death, you might be able to recover survivor loss benefits. Survivor loss benefits are paid to help compensate for or offset the loss of financial support the deceased had been providing before their death.
The deceased’s spouse can claim the benefit. However, the decedent and the spouse must have lived together at the time of death. If they weren’t, the deceased’s children under the age of 18 or other dependents can receive survivor benefits. Note that a person’s dependency must be supported by “the facts as they exist at the time of death.”
Also, a dependent who is “physically or mentally incapacitated from earning” is entitled to survivor benefits. Survivor benefits pay for:
- The contributions of tangible things of economic value that the deceased provided and
- The cost of paying someone else to perform the services previously done by the deceased.
Having our Grand Rapids fatal car accident attorney represent you through the process, whether filing a lawsuit or seeking survival benefits, is essential. This way, you do not make mistakes that jeopardize your case, and insurance companies cannot take advantage of you.
Fatal car accident lawyer in Grand Rapids FAQs
It is not uncommon to have questions about the legal process when pursuing a claim after the death of a loved one. When you visit our firm, we will answer every question and provide answers you can understand. Here we have answered some frequently asked questions.
Do I need a Grand Rapids fatal car accident attorney?
You can handle your case yourself or hire an attorney. However, having a lawyer is more beneficial, as your attorney will provide legal representation, seek justice for your loss, and assist you with the legal process.
Should I go to court for a fatal car accident case or take a settlement?
You can resolve a fatal car accident case through a settlement, which is faster than deciding to go to court. However, if the money offered by the at-fault party’s insurer or lawyer is inadequate, you can go to court. Court cases take longer, but you are likely to get a fair verdict from the jury.
Is there a time limit for filing a fatal car accident case in Grand Rapids?
Yes. The statute of limitations for filing a fatal car accident case is three years, and it starts counting from when the deceased died. Once the time elapses, you become statute-barred from seeking compensation.
How much does a Grand Rapids fatal car accident lawyer charge?
Our fatal car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we get paid once we secure a favorable outcome. We only receive a percentage of the final settlement or court award and agree on the rate during the initial consultation.
How our Grand Rapids fatal car accident attorney can help you
At Goodman Acker, P.C., we provide legal guidance for our clients. When you retain our services, we will thoroughly investigate the accident facts, gather evidence, review police reports, interview witnesses, and work with accident reconstruction experts. Our attorneys will also handle settlement negotiations; if they fall through, we will advocate for you in court.
We understand the importance of clear communication and accessibility, so we will keep you informed about your case’s progress and promptly attend to your inquiries. We will only make decisions after providing up-to-date reports on your case and explaining your options. You can always count on us to provide compassionate yet aggressive representation and do our best to get results in your best interests.
Get the help you need from our Goodman Acker, P.C. team
At Goodman Acker, P.C., we are dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive legal representation to clients who lost their loved ones in a fatal car accident. We have the knowledge and resources to help you seek compensation and protect your interests. Contact us at 248-286-8100 to book a free case evaluation.
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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