Helping the Injured in Grand Rapids with a 99% Success Rate
Many times, when a person gets hurt from an accident, it is no one’s fault but their own. In these cases, recovery is up to that person alone. When it’s not your fault, another person or entity may be responsible, and finding an experienced Grand Rapids personal injury lawyer for help may be the key to recovery. Imagine slipping and falling at a local grocery store, like Fresh Thyme Market, or being involved in a 15-car pileup accident in downtown Grand Rapids! Whatever type of accident it was or however it transpired, you can file a claim through a personal injury lawyer in Grand Rapids to recover compensation.
The problem is this: Some people don’t think they need a lawyer. They think filing a claim with the insurance company is enough.
Though that may be true in some cases, it is important to keep in mind that insurance companies are for-profit entities. Their priority is profits, and that’s true even if you are their insured. Only a committed, experienced Grand Rapids personal injury attorney will advocate for your rights and represent your best interests. At Goodman Acker, our priority is you. We take care of our community members in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan. Our Grand Rapids personal injury attorneys fight for your compensation––we do not settle unless it is in your best interests. In fact, our 99% success rate for cases we conclude is a direct result of our commitment.
Contact us online or at 248-286-8100 to schedule a free consultation today with our dedicated, seasoned personal injury lawyers in Grand Rapids.
What Sets Our Grand Rapids Personal Injury Law Firm Apart?
Goodman Acker is not your ordinary law firm. We focus solely on personal injury law. We are empowered with legal insight that only comes from experience, and experience is what we have.With a combined 150+ years of experience in personal injury, we have heard and seen just about every type of personal injury case.
We have built relationships and developed extensive resources. We know all the tricks insurance companies may try to use to minimize or avoid a payout. We can also handle the types of personal injury cases other attorneys do not handle because they do not have the talent or resources to handle them.
At Goodman Acker, we rise to the challenge and use our collective knowledge, skills, and resources to make sure our Grand Rapids community members recover what’s fair and just. Our reputation testifies to our commitment.
- News groups, like FOX 17, feature our law firm regularly––we are a trusted name in our communities.
- Former and current clients thank us for our help––and you can read our client testimonials to get a better understanding of how our work has impacted their lives.
- We are available 24/7 for client emergencies, which is just another reason why we are trusted and respected in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan.
- Our reputation is also partly based on the millions of dollars we have recovered for our clients.
- 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 list of Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
Plus, we offer free initial consultations. This allows us to learn more about your case and give honest responses to all your questions. As it is, personal injuries are already traumatizing. You may not be able to work while you recover. You may not know how you are going to pay your bills. You may think your life can’t get any worse. We will not add to your stress. We will be straight with you. And we will do what we can to minimize the pain you are already enduring.
Rest assured, with Goodman Acker, if you have a personal injury claim in Grand Rapids and want to move forward with it, we will work hard so that you can regain your life.
Personal Injury Claims Versus Insurance Claims
“Personal injury” is a legal term that can be defined as a case which involves harm to the body and/or emotional wellness of a person due to another person or entity’s wrongdoing. At least one plaintiff pursues a case for recovering damages from at least one defendant. Through litigation, interested parties work to discover who is responsible for the injuries, calculate the extent of the damages, and compensate the victim for those damages.
Insurance claims, on the other hand, do not involve the courts. When a person is injured, they file a claim with an insurance company, either their own or the insurer representing the negligent party. Depending on the type of accident, a claim may be filed against an auto insurance policy, a homeowner’s or property owner’s policy, a renter’s policy, or a professional liability policy.
Typically, an insurance claim is filed first. If a fair settlement is not reached, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed. One of our skilled personal injury attorneys in Grand Rapids will make sure your rights and interests are secured by a strategic, well-supported personal injury claim.
Compensation for Personal Injuries in Michigan
In Michigan, the law allows injured parties to seek compensation for the damages they suffer. “Damages” in a personal injury case include the financial expenses and non-economic harm that results from an injury. Most damages that result from a personal injury incident are medical expenses and property damage. When an injury is expected to last for an extended period or contribute to long-term expenses, litigation attempts to project the total costs of the incident.
Of course, there are other costs that can result from an injury that are neither medical nor property related. Pain and suffering and emotional distress are non-economic damages that can be recovered by a personal injury claim. In rare cases, punitive damages (also known as exemplary damages) may be recovered if the liable party acted with malice or willful disregard for the victim’s rights.
In general, a person injured from another person’s negligence may be able to recover any or all the following:
- Medical bills (including surgery, medication, rehabilitation, therapy, etc.)
- Property damages
- Transportation costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering.
Grand Rapids Personal Injury FAQs
Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Grand Rapids Answer Common Questions
Personal injury claims can leave people frustrated and confused. The process itself can be overwhelming. Here, we try to answer some of the most common questions we get daily.
In Michigan, the statute of limitations for personal injuries and wrongful death, M.C.L.A. § 600.5805, allows you three years from the date of an incident to file a personal injury claim. Limited exceptions allow for additional time, like cases where:
- the victim is considered insane at the time of the accident;
- the victim was under the age of 18 at the time of the accident; or
- the liable party/defendant is out of state and cannot be reasonably served with a lawsuit.
For medical malpractice cases, however, M.C.L.A. § 600.5805(8) sets a two-year limit. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys in Grand Rapids will help make sure you timely file a strong claim.
In July of 2020, the State of Michigan put into place a new auto insurance policy, also known as Michigan’s no-fault law. It affects personal injury claims involving car accidents, bus accidents, or truck accidents. The no-fault law states that all drivers are now required to purchase and carry basic insurance coverage that would pay for expenses resulting from an accident.
Because this law is so new, it is important to have an attorney by your side to represent your interests and advocate for your rights. Even if you are dealing with your own auto insurance company, their priority is profits and not fair compensation.
Though Michigan now limits personal injury lawsuits in motor vehicle cases, you can still sue when necessary and in accordance with the law. You are still permitted to sue for full and fair compensation for injuries sustained in other types of accidents in Grand Rapids, such as but not limited to the following:
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Wrongful death
- Bicycle accidents
- Birth injuries
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dog bite accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Nursing home incidents/accidents
- Product liability.
That’s what we at Goodman Acker are here for. We will help you understand, at no cost to you, whether you have a personal injury claim. In brief, however, you may have a personal injury claim if:
- A duty was owed to you;
- That duty was breached;
- The breach caused you to suffer bodily injury; and
- The injury can be monetarily quantified (meaning you had to spend money on a medical evaluation or treatment).
The damages you can seek in a personal injury claim in Grand Rapids are fully dependent on the damages you suffered considering all the facts and circumstances. At the initial free consultation, we will review your case and clarify expectations. The real worth of any given personal injury claim, however, cannot be realized until after a full investigation into the accident or incident.
Our highly skilled staff members and personal injury lawyers in Grand Rapids have the resources to conduct a thorough investigation. We will uncover all the facts so that the real worth of your claim is revealed and you receive what you deserve.
Contact Our Trusted Grand Rapids Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you need a Grand Rapids personal injury attorney, contact our team online or at 248-286-8100. Our risk-free, no-obligation consultation will help determine whether you have a claim. If so, we will outline what we can do for you.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Goodman Acker family. When you choose Goodman Acker, it’s a good decision.
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.
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