Oak Park Car Accident Lawyers

Car Accident Attorneys in Oakland County

Proving that Perseverance and 150+ Years of Experience Yield Exceptional Results

Not a day in Oak Park goes by when an auto accident does not cause injury to a person. Fortunately, most injured parties recover. Also, fortunately, Michigan is a no-fault insurance state intended to help you get the money you need to recover without delays brought on by an at-fault party’s auto insurance company.

The problem with Michigan’s no-fault policy, however, is this: Injured parties think that whatever their insurance company provides is all they can obtain in the form of compensation. They do not argue. And they do not argue because they fear not getting anything at all. Auto insurance companies find sneaky ways to deny coverage in Michigan. Innocent injured parties are at a loss about what to do.

At Goodman Acker, these things bother us. We know what insurance companies do to maintain their profit margins. We also know first-hand how devastating it is on our community members in Oak Park.

Your time, however, is limited. To take charge of your case and make sure you get what you deserve, contact us at (248) 286-8100. Our team of highly skilled car accident lawyers in Oak Park wants to know about your case, and we want to know about it in your language.

So, do not let not speaking English stop you from calling us. Car accident attorney Ronita Bahri represents clients in Oak Park. She was born in Iraq and spoke Aramaic, Arabic, and English fluently.

But there is more. We do not just tell you why our clients appreciate us – we let you see for yourself:

• We are routinely featured by newsgroups, like Fox 2 News and Local 4 Detroit.
• We are building our family of completely satisfied clients.
• We have won millions of dollars for our clients.
• We have 150+ years of combined legal experience.
• We have a success rate of 99% for cases we conclude.
• We are available 24/7 for client emergencies.
• We offer free initial consultations to get you started.

Understanding Auto Accident Insurance Claims in Michigan

Michigan’s auto insurance policy is part of the no-fault law. Every driver must purchase auto insurance coverage. The purpose is to ensure that if you are in an auto accident, you get compensation, hassle-free.

Michigan, after all, has one of the highest percentages of uninsured motorists in the country, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), so this type of policy, is a good one.

This policy, however, was recently changed, effective July 2020. Drivers can now choose whether they want unlimited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) — which was required before this new rule — or whether they want to cap their coverage. If the driver chooses the cap, the minimum coverage limits are:

• $50,000, if enrolled in Medicaid
• $250,000 for bodily injury to one person in any one accident
• $500,000 for bodily injury to two or more people in any 1 accident.

What does this mean for drivers in Oak Park? If you are in a serious accident, your insurance policy may not cover all your injury-related expenses because you may not have sufficient coverage. This is bad news for someone who didn’t cause a car accident but was seriously hurt in it.

There’s another catch to the no-fault policy: if your own auto insurance doesn’t cover the full costs of your injury, you can sue the at-fault party. It means you now have a hassle on your hands to get the at-fault party to cover the remainder of your losses.

But you do not have to do it yourself. We are prepared and have the experience, insight, and resources to negotiate with any auto insurance company. We are not afraid to take it as far as we must to get you maximum compensation. So, call us today at (248) 286-8100 to learn more.

What an Oak Park Car Accident Lawyer Can Recover for You

Not just any Oak Park car accident attorney, but an experienced Oakland County lawyer from Goodman Acker can help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries and additional damages stemming from them.

In a first-party claim – the claim you bring against your own auto insurance company––your no-fault benefits include:

• Medical expenses (emergency room visits, follow-up care, rehabilitation, etc.)
• Mileage (e.g., transportation to and from doctor appointments)
• Attendant (nursing) care
• Replacement services or domestic assistance
• Wage loss (past and future but only up to three years.)

In a third-party claim – the claim you bring against the at-fault party – you are entitled to:

• Excess economic damages, which are past, present, and future expenses not covered by your PIP benefits
• Non-economic damages, which include pain and suffering.

Rest assured, with Goodman Acker, if you have a car accident claim and want to move forward with it, we will put forth all our resources and efforts to help you recover full and fair compensation. We handle these cases as knowledgeable truck accident attorneys and motorcycle accident attorneys.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Oak Park

Safety is always the priority after a car accident in Oakland County. Follow these basic steps to prevent further harm and protect your rights:

1. Seek medical attention. If anyone is hurt, either in your car or elsewhere, call 911 immediately.
2. Gather information. Share contact and insurance information with any other driver involved in the accident.
3. Gather evidence. Take pictures and video of the vehicles, road conditions, weather conditions, traffic, bystanders (who may be witnesses,) or anything else to document the scene adequately.
4. Notify insurance. You should inform your insurance company as soon as possible but stick to the facts.
5. Contact a car accident lawyer in Oak Park. Even if it is to make sure you know your rights and pursue the best legal option, it is important to speak to an experienced Oak Park car accident attorney.

At Goodman Acker, our team of skilled car accident attorneys in Oakland County is ready to discuss your case. Schedule a free initial consultation today.

Car Accidents FAQs

Our Resourceful Oak Park Car Accident Attorney Answers Your Questions

When a serious car accident turns life upside down, most people have lots of questions. We answer some of the more common ones below. If you have other questions, or need more information, do not hesitate to reach out to us and schedule a free consultation.

What Is a Fair Settlement for My Oakland County Car Accident Case? 

We cannot tell you the exact value of a car accident claim without first knowing all the facts and circumstances. By reviewing your case with our Oak Park car accident attorney, you will get a better idea of what it may be.

Generally speaking, you can add the value of missed work with all medical bills for a rough idea. Remember, it is only a starting point. There may be other factors that could decrease or increase the compensation you are owed.

How Quickly Will I Receive Compensation for My Car Accident?

The answer to this question usually depends on the facts in the case, the applicable law, and the insurance company’s attitude.

Car crash damages, even items like medical bills, are difficult to determine. Insurance adjusters often dispute the number of damages claimed. For example, if the victim rode an ambulance to the hospital, an adjuster might argue that an Uber would have been enough, and the adjuster refuses to pay for the ambulance trip. Noneconomic damages, like compensation for emotional distress, are even harder to determine.

Many legal issues affect car crash claims. For example, there is a difference between fault and liability in a car accident case. Fault is like the halftime score. Adjusters and emergency responders do not account for comparative fault and other legal doctrines.

Liability is like the final score. Liability determinations account for all legal issues in the case. As most of us know, the final score is the only one that matters.

Finally, the insurance company’s attitude affects settlement timing. must hire lawyers who, in many cases, charge more than $2,000 an hour. As their legal bills increase, these companies grow more eager to settle claims.

The case may settle in a few weeks if all issues are clear and the insurance company’s potential legal bill is huge. However, the stars rarely align in such a fashion. Therefore, a favorable out-of-court settlement could take up to a year, or more, to negotiate.

Why Should I Work with an Oak Park Car Accident Attorney at Goodman Acker?

Most Oakland County lawyers could handle a basic car crash claim. However, as outlined above, these cases are never “basic.” At Goodman Acker, our Oak Park car accident lawyers have the right combination of:

• Dedication. Many lawyers handle a few car accident cases on the side, primarily for family members, existing clients, and personal friends. At Goodman Acker, we focus exclusively on personal injury cases. Generally, when you only do one thing for over twenty-five years, you do that thing well.
• Accessibility. Some firms assign most day-to-day work to inexperienced associates or even non-lawyer paralegals. So, the lawyer in charge is inaccessible, only showing up for hearings, trials, and other such events. Physical accessibility is important as well. Most car crash victims struggle with temporary or permanent disabilities. Going to a lawyer’s office must not be a chore. That is why we have several office locations in the Detroit area.
• Experience. Our experience allows us to use proven methods and obtain life-changing results. We also have a formidable reputation, which enables us to resolve most car crash cases out of court. Our experience also includes trial experience, meaning that we are ready, willing, and able to go the distance for our clients.

Additionally, we do not back down from serious car accident cases involving spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other catastrophic injuries. We handle these tough cases with the same determination and resolve as our other personal injury cases.

Do I Still Have a Case If I Was Partially at Fault for My Oak Park Car Accident?

Absolutely. If both drivers were partially at fault, Michigan’s comparative fault law comes into play.

First, jurors must divide responsibility on a percentage basis, such as 80-20 or 60-40. Then, the judge applies the law to that finding. Michigan is a modified comparative fault state with a 51 percent threshold. So, tortfeasors (negligent drivers) must pay a proportionate share of damages if they are at least 51 percent responsible for the wreck, in the eyes of the jury.

Will I Always Be Able to Obtain Compensation After an Accident?

Not every car accident in Oak Park will result in a successful claim for compensation. In the first place, you must have monetary damages. This means you must have paid for something, like property repairs or medical treatment. If there is a scratch on your car or your person, you likely won’t have a claim to make.

Furthermore, victims/plaintiffs have the burden of proof. They must prove negligence, or a lack of care, by a preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not. That is a low burden of proof, but the necessary evidence is sometimes unavailable. Hit-and-runs are a good illustration of this problem.

How Long Do I Have to File an Oak Park Car Accident Claim?

Time really is critical. For a first-party claim, you have one year. For a third-party claim, you have three years. The latter is a significant difference. In either case, time will go by fast. You won’t be compensated if you miss the deadline to file a car accident claim.

If you need to find out more about the claims process and your car accident case, schedule a free consultation with Goodman Acker by calling (248) 286-8100.

Contact a Smart, Resourceful Oak Park Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you need a car accident attorney in Oak Park, contact our team online or at (248) 286-8100. One of our staff members will schedule a risk-free, no-obligation consultation where you will be able to sit down and discuss your case with one of our personal injury and car accident attorneys. If we decide you have a claim to make, we can get started on your recovery immediately.

With a success rate of 99% of cases, we are confident we can help you, too.

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 ]