Washington Michigan Car Accident Lawyer

Macomb County Car Accident Lawyers

With an Unparalleled 99%Success Rate

Our car accident lawyers in Washington, MI, have seen time and time again how car accidents affect our clients. However, the process to recover compensation for property damage and medical bills doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. In Michigan, as a no-fault state, you first file a claim with your auto insurance company, not the other driver’s insurance carrier. That would seem easy enough. But is it?

Generally speaking, when damages are minimal, and injuries are straightforward and insignificant, the process tends to go smoothly if you know what you are doing. But when injuries are more extensive and complex or materialize days or weeks after the accident, your own insurance company may try to deny or reduce coverage. That’s a problem. To prevent this headache and ensure you get the compensation owed, a Macomb County car accident attorney is your best option.

At Goodman Acker, we are not just any old personal injury law firm in Washington, MI. Our diverse team of highly skilled car accident attorneys treats each client as family. We have been representing our community members in and outside Macomb County for decades, so you are family in many ways.

But there’s more to know about us that distinguishes our car accident lawyers in Washington, MI from the rest.

• 150+ years of combined legal experience,
• A success rate of 99% for cases we conclude,
• Routinely featured by newsgroups, like Fox 17 News and Local 4 Detroit,
• Available 24/7 for client emergencies,
• Won millions of dollars for our clients,
• Free initial consultations to get you started, and
• We treat our clients like family, and their testimonials reflect that.

Our reputation is backed by awards and recognition, like inclusion on the Super Lawyers list, an AV Martindale-Hubbell Rating, and a spot on the Top 100 Trial Lawyers list.

Understanding No-Fault Liability for Car Accidents in Washington, MI

Our Washington, MI, Car Accident Lawyers Explain What’s at Stake

Unlike most states, which follow the theory of fault liability, Michigan has joined a handful of states that adhere to the theory of no-fault liability for automobile accidents. Claims are handled through personal injury protection (PIP). In simple terms, this means you file an insurance claim with your own auto insurer — even if you were not at fault for the accident.

In at-fault states, the responsibility for covering car accident damages falls on the driver who caused the collision and their respective insurance company. A demand letter is sent to the at-fault party’s auto insurer to recover damages. The auto insurance company will do all it can to attribute fault to the injured party/victim. It is the company’s way of reducing or denying claims. The process can, to say the least, become a real hassle when an injured person is trying to recover and pay bills.

Is No-Fault Liability in Michigan Better than Fault Liability?

It would seem on the face of it that no-fault liability is better. Without the need to prove liability, the claims process often does not involve negotiation with the other parties. However, the policyholder may still have to prove their case. Coverage is not guaranteed. Also, insurance companies prioritize profit regardless of whether they are in Michigan or a fault-based state. As such, they will still try to deny or reduce benefits to injured parties in Washington, MI.

One way insurance companies deny or reduce benefits is the same here as in fault-based states: they try to attribute fault to the injured party. Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence policy. This policy holds that if you contributed to an accident and were 51% or more at fault, you will not recover anything. If you were at fault for anything under and including 50%, you can recover, but the value of compensation will be reduced accordingly.

For example, if your auto insurer accuses you of being 25% at fault for the collision, your coverage can be reduced by 25%.

To ensure you get that compensation, you need an aggressive car accident attorney in Washington, MI, with a 99% success rate and 150+ years of experience from which to draw insight. Call us at 248-286-8100 for your free consultation.

Can an Auto Accident Victim in Washington, MI, Still Sue the At-Fault Driver?

Under Michigan’s no-fault policy, lawsuits against the at-fault party are rare. If negotiated by a talented auto accident lawyer, auto insurance companies will adequately compensate their own insureds for:

• Property damage,
• Medical bills, and
• Lost wages.

Your auto insurance company, however, will not pay you for excess economic damages (e.g., loss of earned income, future or ongoing medical treatment, etc.) or non-economic damages for pain and suffering. You can sue the at-fault party when you have a valid claim for these damages.

But so many injured people fail to understand that they have a claim. The no-fault policy in Michigan adds to this confusion — victims think they can only recover for what their own insurance company will settle.

So, if you have been in a car collision and were injured, it is in your best interests to, at a minimum, speak with us. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation. Plus, you don’t pay anything unless we win.

Injuries that Pose Challenges to Auto Accident Claims in Washington, MI

Every year, car crashes kill or seriously injure millions of Americans. This figure has increased significantly after the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020. Since many roads emptied, many drivers sped excessively, drove drunk, and picked up other bad driving habits. Driver negligence causes most collision-related serious injuries, such as:

• Loss of Function: In today’s fast-paced world, a temporary loss of function, like a broken leg, has serious and lasting effects. Broken leg bones are very common in car crash cases. Seat belts and airbags don’t protect against these injuries.
• Whiplash: This head-neck injury is even more common. The violent motion of a crash, as opposed to a trauma impact, usually causes whiplash. This soft tissue injury is difficult to diagnose and even harder to treat properly.
• Back Injury: The spine is not a single bone. Instead, it is a long chain of thirty-three vertebrae (small bones) and countless nerves. Any misalignment could cause a serious spine injury. These victims usually have no treatment options other than radical surgery or addictive pain pills.
• Brain Injury: The aforementioned motion in a crash often causes a head injury. This motion causes the brain to violently and repeatedly slam against the insides of the skull. We feel this effect at a very low level when we pace. Imagine what the massive force in a car wreck does to your brain.

Pre-existing conditions often come into play as well. For example, if Sarah has a bad knee because of an old sports injury, a moderate car crash injury might become a disabling injury. Normally, insurance company lawyers cannot use pre-existing conditions, or other physical vulnerabilities, as an excuse to reduce or deny compensation.

This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Additional punitive damages are available as well, in some extreme cases.

At Goodman Acker, we are committed to you. We only settle a case if the offer is in your best interests. We take on these challenges and pursue whatever course is necessary. And we do it with determination and the strength of our shared 150+ years of experience.

Car Accident FAQs

Our Washington, MI, Car Accident Lawyer Answers Your Questions

When a sudden and unexpected car crash turns life upside down, we give families the information they need to make good decisions about their futures.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Michigan?

Even if they do not have debilitating wounds, car crash victims are usually confused and disoriented, mostly because of head injuries. So, we urge victims to concentrate on three basic priorities following a crash:

• Stop and Summon: Under state law, all parties involved in an accident have a duty to stop and render aid if possible, regardless of fault. Additionally, it is usually not enough to simply wait for officers to show up. We urge victims to call 9-1-1, so officers will create a police report.
• See a Doctor: Adrenaline masks pain. Most car crash victims “feel fine” for a few hours, but then, the adrenaline wears off. In those few hours, car crash injuries worsen and become more difficult to treat. Immediate medical attention solves this problem.
• Call a Lawyer: Only a doctor can determine how badly you were hurt, and only a Washington, MI, car crash lawyer can determine your legal options. Victims who put off this step often cripple their own compensation claims.

Take note of the items that are not on this list, such as speaking to an insurance adjuster. These individuals seem affable and friendly, like Jake from State Farm. But insurance companies teach these adjusters to extract damaging information from victims without their knowing it. So, let your car crash lawyer speak with the insurance company.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Washington, MI?

In Michigan, you have one year to file a claim with your insurance company. In some cases, you may have three years for a personal injury lawsuit stemming from the car accident.

What Types of Accidents Fall under Michigan’s No-Fault law?

Accidents that do not cause serious injuries are no-fault claims in Michigan. These victims may file PIP claims with their own insurance companies. Serious injury claims are tort (legal) cases in Michigan. The law defines a serious injury as death, serious disfigurement, or the severe impairment of an important bodily function.

As a rule of thumb, if your vehicle was not drivable after a collision, you probably sustained a severe injury, according to Michigan law.

How is a Car Accident Settlement Amount Determined in Michigan?

Several factors are considered when determining a settlement for a Washington, MI, car accident personal injury claim. There is no single answer or set formula to determine the amount. Some factors include:

• Missed work,
• Medical costs,
• Other related medical costs, like transportation to and from appointments,
• Contributory negligence, and
• The extent of injuries.

For a personalized answer, contact the Washington, MI, car accident attorneys at Goodman Acker.

How Can a Washington, MI, Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?

Our team of car accident attorneys understands the laws and policies surrounding auto collisions in Michigan. We will take the following steps, at a minimum, to maximize your chances of receiving fair and adequate compensation:

• Gathering witness statements, accident reports, and, among other evidence, the investigation file from the police,
• Assembling your medical records and submitting your claims for medical bills,
• Negotiating with your automobile insurance adjuster for you,
• Keeping you informed and providing ongoing advice until your claim is satisfied, and
• Obtaining the best possible settlement for your pain and suffering.

With over 150 years of combined experience, you can rest assured that we will give 100% of our skills and resources to ensure that you get the maximum of what the law allows.

Contact Our Trusted Washington, MI, Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a car accident, reach out to Goodman Acker today. Our team of experienced car accident attorneys provides clients with the representation and results they deserve. Our focus is always on 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 ]