Grand Rapids Rear-End Accident Lawyer

DEDICATED, AGGRESSIVE, AND PASSIONATE REAR-END ACCIDENT LAWYERS

We Have Decades of Experience Representing Rear-End Accident Victims

When driving on the road, your vehicle can get struck by another one from behind. When this happens, a rear-end accident has occurred. While liability for rear-end collisions appears simple, it is not always so.

There are often complexities that make it hard to identify the party at fault and seek compensation from the at-fault driver. This is why, if you find yourself in a rear-end collision, it is crucial to seek the help of a Grand Rapids rear-end accident lawyer. At Goodman Acker P.C., our experienced attorneys will carefully examine your claim and guide you on the proper steps.

Call us at 248-286-8100 to book a free case review.

Why Choose Our Grand Rapids Rear-End Accident Attorney?

At Goodman Acker P.C., we have a track record of securing favorable outcomes for rear-end accident victims. Our lawyers understand how severe rear-end collisions are, the impact of the injuries, and the financial losses that result from them. Therefore, we take a personalized approach to every case we handle, ensuring we tailor the solutions for each client to meet their specific needs.

We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and their positive testimonials speak to our dedication and commitment to protecting their rights and getting fair settlements. We are available 24/7 to listen to you and proffer advice, so don’t hesitate to contact us at 248-286-8100.

What Causes Rear-End Collisions?

Rear-end accidents occur when a vehicle at the back collides with the one at the front. It is common when there is slowed traffic and the car behind fails to stop in time to avoid hitting the one in front. At other times, a rear-end crash happens when the vehicle in front stops abruptly, causing the one at the back to collide with it.

Many rear-end crashes are high-speed collisions, resulting in severe injuries or death. In 2022, there were 64,220 rear-end collisions out of the total 293,342 collisions in Michigan. These crashes occurred for many reasons, including:

• Tailgating — following the vehicle in front too closely
• Distracted driving — not focusing on driving, being cognitively, visually, or manually distracted
• Stopping short — slamming on the brakes so fast that the rear driver has insufficient time to stop
• Speeding — driving over the speed limit or going too fast for road and weather conditions, especially with poor visibility
• Impaired driving — operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, leading to cognitive impairment that slows reaction times and causes a rear-end collision
• Failing to signal — not signaling other vehicles when changing lanes or turning too slowly, causing vehicles from behind to rear-end the one in front.

Who Is Responsible for Rear-End Accidents Under Michigan Law?

The rear driver is typically considered at fault for a rear-end crash. This is because Michigan law requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance and drive at a reasonable speed. Where this is the case, the motorist will usually be able to react in time and apply the brake even if the vehicle in front stops abruptly or fails to use signals.

However, this is not always the case, as the driver in front may behave negligently; so even a driver maintaining the proper distance or speed may be unable to avoid a collision. In such an instance, liability might be disputed. When liability is unclear, it is crucial to examine the evidence to determine the party responsible for the accident.

Our attorneys can investigate the crash to identify the party at fault. Some of the evidence we will obtain and examine to determine liability are:

• The accident report from the investigating police officers
• Eyewitness statements
• Traffic camera footage or footage from dash cams
• Images of the crash scene
• Debris from the accident site.

In some cases, it might be necessary to involve an accident reconstructionist. The reconstructionist will recreate the accident scene to demonstrate how the crash happened. They are considered expert witnesses, and their testimony is vital in personal injury claims.

What Damages Can Our Rear-End Accident Lawyers in Grand Rapids Recover for You?

Two types of damages are available under Michigan law — economic and non-economic. Economic damages compensate for the monetary losses suffered because of your injuries, car repair, property damage, and other expenses related to your injury. On the other hand, non-economic damages are for psychological and emotional suffering resulting from the accident.

Essentially, compensation for damages covers:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement
• Emotional anguish
• Out-of-pocket expenses, etc.

Michigan law does not allow punitive damages. Instead, we can ask for exemplary damages on your behalf, and getting it will significantly influence the amount you receive as compensation.

Do Michigan No-Fault Rules Apply to Rear-End Accidents?

Yes. Michigan’s no-fault rules apply to all car accident cases, including rear-end collisions. Under the no-fault law, accident victims rely on their personal injury protection (PIP) policy to pay for their medical bills and get a percentage of their lost wages.

As a result, fault is not always a factor in Michigan. You can file a lawsuit for compensation from the at-fault party if your injuries are severe or result in a disability. If you lose a loved one to a rear-end collision, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit with the help of our wrongful death lawyers at Goodman Acker, P.C.

Grand Rapids Rear-End Accident Lawyer FAQs

As a rear-end accident victim, you might have questions about the compensation claim process and how much money you can get from the at-fault party. Below, we address some of the questions we frequently get from our clients. If you want in-depth answers or have more inquiries, our lawyers will be glad to address them when you visit our law office.

How Much Is My Rear-End Accident Case Worth?

Your injury’s severity, the amount spent on medical treatment, the sum of your lost wages, and other related costs determine the value of your case. Your lawyer’s negotiation skills can also affect how much you get as compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Compensation Claim After a Rear-End Collision in Grand Rapids?

You have three years from the day of the accident to file a claim. If you miss the timeline, you will be legally barred from bringing your case before the court and forever lose your right to compensation.

Who Pays for Damages in a Rear-End Collision?

Since Michigan is a no-fault state, each party to an accident will pay their medical bills using their personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy. But if the accident results in severe injuries or a disability, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

How Much Will My Attorney Charge Me? 

Since rear-end collisions fall under personal injury, the fee agreement is on a contingency basis. This means our payment is contingent on a successful outcome, and we only take a percentage of your compensation.

How Will Our Grand Rapids Rear-End Accident Attorney Help You?

Dealing with an injury from an accident and trying to handle your claim yourself can be daunting and hinder your recovery. Without a lawyer, the at-fault party’s insurer will seek to take advantage of you by offering you an early settlement and making it seem in your interests to accept it.

Agreeing to such a settlement can be detrimental, especially if you have not achieved maximum medical improvement and accurately calculated your losses. However, if you choose to work with our legal team at Goodman Acker, P.C., our lawyers will ensure that any settlement takes into consideration the totality of your losses and prevent the insurance company from bullying you into accepting the first settlement offer.

We will review every settlement offer to ensure it covers your past, current, and future expenses relating to the accident injury. Our lawyers will handle filing your claim and all the correspondence with the at-fault party’s insurer. If there’s a need to investigate your case and gather evidence, we will handle it.

Whether we settle your case or file a lawsuit and go to trial, we will be with you every step of the way. Also, we will provide regular updates and ensure we make only the decisions you are satisfied with. Our lawyers are compassionate and will help you overcome this difficult time.

Book a Free Consultation With Our Rear-End Accident Lawyers in Grand Rapids

Were you or a loved one involved in a rear-end accident in Grand Rapids, Michigan? Our legal team at Goodman Acker, P.C. can help you get a favorable outcome. We will ensure your claim is filed on time and handle all the technical legal aspects. Contact us at 248-286-8100 to schedule 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 ]