Lansing, Michigan, Car Accident Lawyer

Ethical and Reliable Lansing, Michigan, Car Accident Lawyers

We Have Decades of Experience Fighting for the Rights of Car Accident Victims

Data shows that you are likely to get into a vehicle crash one out of 366 for every 1,000 miles of distance traveled. Another shows that 77% of motorists in the US have been in an accident at least once in a lifetime. This is because, irrespective of how safe you are on the road, you cannot control the actions of others, which might result in a car accident.

However, when you get into a crash, options are available to you. You can file a claim with your insurance company for benefits in a no-fault state like Michigan. You can also sue the person responsible for the accident and recover compensation for economic and non economic damages. But getting insurance benefits or a settlement is easier said than done.

Insurance companies are crafty and have devised ways to reject legitimate claims. Therefore, it is always advisable to work with an experienced attorney. Our Lansing, Michigan, car accident lawyer is experienced with this type of case and can help you secure a favorable outcome. Contact us at 248-286-8100 to book a free case evaluation.

Why Choose Our Lansing, Michigan, Car Accident Lawyers?

Car accidents can result in severe or catastrophic injuries, leaving victims with medical bills, months of physical therapy, and financial strain from being away from work. Our lawyers understand the devastating effects this can have on you and your family. Therefore, we immediately start the claims process when you retain our services.

We have represented several car accident victims, and our satisfactory service is seen in the positive testimonials from our clients. Also, we have recovered millions of dollars in combined settlement and verdicts, which has helped our clients get their lives back. Our legal team consists of experienced negotiators and trial lawyers, so we have the skills to represent you irrespective of whether you want a settlement or to go to trial.

Our initial consultations are free, so do not hesitate to contact us. Call us at 248-286-8100 to schedule one and begin the process of getting financial compensation.

Understanding Car Accident Claims

Car accidents happen when a car collides with a stationary object, another vehicle, animal, person, bicycle, or motorcycle. It could be a single-vehicle crash, two-, or multiple-vehicle collision. In single-vehicle accidents, the driver relies on their insurance to cover whatever losses or damages they suffer.

In two or more car collisions, the driver who did not cause the accident is termed the ‘victim,’ and the one who caused the crash is the ‘at-fault’ party. The victim can file a claim against the at-fault party for financial compensation, which the responsible party will pay through their insurance carrier. However, identifying the at-fault party in multi-car accidents can be complex.

In some cases, there might be more than one person responsible, and you need to identify them all to know who to file a claim against. This might be challenging, especially when dealing with your injuries. But our car accident attorney in Lansing, Michigan, can help you identify the party or parties responsible for your accident and commence the claims process.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Lansing, Michigan

The root cause of car accidents in Lansing, Michigan, is negligence, and it manifests in several ways, including:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Distracted driving
• Tailgating/following too closely
• Running red lights
• Disregarding stop signs
• Illegal lane change
• One-way driving
• Road rage
• Speeding, etc.

Other nonhuman factors like adverse weather conditions, poorly maintained roads, animal sightings, and Acts of God can cause an accident. In 2021, Michigan recorded 282,640 car accidents, with alcohol causing 9,557 and distracted driving 16,543. These collisions often result in different types of injuries, from broken bones and whiplash to spinal and brain injuries.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident?

After a car crash, there are steps to take to protect yourself, gather and preserve evidence, and improve your chances of receiving compensation. They include the following:

• Get yourself to a safe place if you can, and call 911.
• While waiting for the first responders, try to gather evidence of the crash. Take pictures of the crash scene, and make a video if possible. Speak to witnesses for their statement and contact information, and get the other driver’s name, vehicle registration number, and insurance information.
• Speak to the responding police officers to give them an account of what happened while it is still fresh in your mind, and allow the EMS personnel to examine you.
• If your injuries are severe, allow the EMS personnel to take you to the hospital to treat your injuries. Your medical record is crucial to your claim, so ensure you receive treatment and follow all your doctor’s instructions.
• Hire an experienced attorney to represent you.

Having a legal team you can trust is crucial, as you may be unable to take these steps yourself. At Goodman Acker, P.C., we help clients gather the proof to establish their claims and prove the at-fault party’s negligence.

Who Pays Compensation After a Car Accident in Lansing, Michigan?

Michigan is a no-fault insurance state for car accidents, meaning fault does not play a role in crashes. Irrespective of who caused the accident, each person has to rely on their personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy. The insurance benefits will cover your medical bills, a percentage of your lost wages, and the cost of replacement services.

However, if the collision leads to a severe or catastrophic wound, disfigurement, or disability, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A successful lawsuit means you will receive economic and noneconomic damages, which pay for your monetary losses and how the accident affected your life.

Essentially, you will receive the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium, etc.

The above list does not cover all the compensation you are entitled to, and you can get more depending on your case facts. In cases where the at-fault party acted with malice or was grossly negligent, you might receive exemplary damages.

Lansing, Michigan, Car Accident Lawyer FAQs

Car accident victims often have questions about the compensation claims process, and we answer some of the frequently asked ones below:

How long will it take to conclude my car accident case?

There is no fixed timeframe for when a case concludes. However, settlements close faster than litigation, which is why it is preferred. Most settlements take weeks to months, while lawsuits take years as they are subject to the court’s calendar and involve several processes.

I was partly at fault for the accident. Can I still receive compensation?

Yes. However, under Michigan’s comparative negligence doctrine, your compensation will be less than your fault percentage. So, if you were 20% at fault, you would receive 80%. Also, your fault percentage must not be more than 50%.

When should I hire a car accident attorney?

The best time to hire a lawyer is immediately after the accident. The insurance company will not allow you to recover before they swoop in to get you to take a settlement, which might be less than you deserve. Having a lawyer ensures your rights and interests are protected.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer? 

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only take a percentage of your settlement and get paid when you do. The percentage is usually between 33% to 40%.

These may not be your only questions; our attorneys will discuss your specific concerns in your initial consult.

How Our Lansing, Michigan, Car Accident Attorney Can Help You

At Goodman Acker, P.C., we take every case seriously and do not place one client above the other. We will carefully assess your case facts, investigate how the accident happened, and gather evidence to prove your case. If needed, we will invite expert witnesses, like accident reconstruction experts.

Also, we will handle the settlement negotiations with the insurance company. If the negotiations fall through, we will file a lawsuit, handle the discovery process, and argue your case before a jury. We will keep you updated throughout the process and guide you in making the best decisions for you.

Let Us Help You with Your Car Accident Case

If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries in a car accident, you can file for compensation from the at-fault party, and our attorneys at Goodman Acker, P.C., can help you with it. We will protect your interests from start to finish and are available 24/7 to attend to you. Call us at 248-286-8100 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

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 ]