Lansing, Michigan, Personal Injury Lawyer

Dedicated and Committed Lansing, Michigan, Personal Injury Lawyers

We Will Help You Get Fair Compensation for Your Injuries

Did you suffer an injury in an accident or other event? Did the negligence of another party cause the accident or event? Did you lose money treating the wound or when you were away from work to recover? You may have a personal injury claim if you answer yes to all of these.

Personal injury claims allow you to hold the person or entity responsible for your hurt liable. You can seek financial compensation for your monetary and nonmonetary losses. However, insurance companies have devised ways of denying claims or paying low-ball settlements, especially to victims without attorneys.

This is why we always recommend that injury victims file their claims with the help of an attorney. Our Lansing, Michigan, personal injury lawyer can help you with your claim from start to finish. With us by your side, insurance companies will not bully you, and you stand a better chance of getting fair compensation.

Our initial consultations are free, so call us now at 248-286-8100 to schedule one.

Why Choose Our Lansing, Michigan, Personal Injury Lawyers?

At Goodman Acker, P.C., we have decades of experience representing personal injury victims in Lansing and other parts of Michigan. We understand the impact an injury can have on a person’s life and finances and do all we can to help you get back to your life before the accident or event that harmed you. Collectively, we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and their positive testimonials speak to our satisfactory services.

We aim to provide you with ethical and trustworthy representation while working tirelessly to ensure your case has a favorable outcome. We are committed to all our clients and approach cases based on the facts and merits. When you retain our services, we will dedicate time and resources to your case and not pass you around.

Contact us at 248-286-8100 to learn more about our services and how we can help you.

What Amounts to a Personal Injury in Lansing, Michigan?

A personal injury is a physical wound inflicted on a person’s body instead of damage to their property or reputation. A personal injury claim is a civil proceeding arising from wrongful or negligent conduct by a third party. So, if another person or entity caused your wound, you can file a personal injury action against them.

Personal injury lawsuits arise from different cases, including the following:

• Motor vehicle accidents: The person responsible for a car accident or truck accident is the one who pays compensation. This could be the driver who drove drunk, disobeyed traffic signals, etc. Michigan is a no-fault insurance state, but you can file a claim if the crash caused severe injuries, disfigurement, or disability.
• Bicycle, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents: Like motor vehicle accidents, the person who caused a bicycle, motorcycle, or pedestrian accident is the one who pays compensation. The culprit in these cases is usually car drivers.
• Medical malpractice: Personal injury claims also arise from medical malpractice. Usually, the at-fault party here is the medical professional or facility that failed to meet or uphold the standard of care. Medical malpractice claims are tricky and best handled by an experienced attorney.
• Premises liability: These claims arise when property owners fail to maintain their premises and keep them free from dangerous or hazardous conditions. To be eligible to sue the property owner, you must be a licensee or invitee, not a trespasser.
• Defective products: If a product manufacturer knew of a defect in their goods and failed to recall it or warn the public, and you got hurt while using the product, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Personal injury claims also arise from nursing home abuse and workplace accidents. The facts of your case determine who you can sue, and our lawyers can help assess it and identify the at-fault party.

How Is Fault Established in a Personal Injury Case?

Irrespective of your type of personal injury case, establishing the at-fault person’s liability all boils down to showing they were negligent, and it goes beyond word of mouth. Proving negligence involves demonstrating the four elements: duty of care, breach, causation, and damages.

Duty of Care

What duty of care amounts to in a personal injury case differs. The duty of care in a car accident is not the same as that of medical malpractice. During our initial consultation, we will explain the duty of care in your case and help you identify whether or not it was breached.

Breach

A breach happens when the person who owes a duty of care performs an act that violates it. Again, what amounts to a violation differs in different cases. For example, failing to warn the public of a product defect is a breach of the duty of care on the manufacturer’s side.

Causation

The breached duty must be the actual and proximate cause of your injury. If the other party can prove that they did not cause your injury, although they violated the duty of care, your compensation claim will fail. Therefore, linking the breached duty to the cause of your injury is crucial.

Damages

Damages mean you lost something due to the injury, for which you deserve compensation. The loss could be monetary or nonmonetary, and it typically covers the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• All out-of-pocket costs, etc.

Our Lansing, Michigan, personal injury attorney will help you determine the damages you are entitled to and demand them in the claim. We can also help you assess the value of your suit so you have an idea of what to expect.

Michigan’s Comparative Negligence Doctrine and Personal Injury Claims

Michigan uses the comparative negligence doctrine, which allows personal injury victims to recover compensation even if they are partially at fault. Under Michigan law, you can receive compensation if your fault does not exceed 50%. If you are 51% at fault, you lose all rights to compensation.

But if you are 30% at fault, you will receive 70% of the settlement amount or verdict awarded. Insurance companies often use the comparative negligence doctrine to avoid paying compensation or to reduce the amount. Our personal injury attorneys in Lansing, Michigan, know the tactics they use and have effective means of countering them.

Lansing, Michigan, Personal Injury Lawyer FAQs

Dealing with an injury and deciding whether to pursue a claim can leave you with questions. Below, we answered some common questions asked by clients, and when you visit our law firm, we will provide more in-depth answers to all your inquiries:

Should I settle or take my personal injury case to court?

Settlement is a preferred option for most people as it is faster than litigation, and you receive your money quicker, especially when dealing with debts. However, going to court is a more favorable option when the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer or settle at the amount demanded.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit?

Under the Michigan statute of limitations, you have three years from the day of the accident or event that led to your injury. Sometimes, the time starts counting from when you link your injury to the at-fault party’s negligent action. Once the three years have elapsed, you cannot recover compensation.

Do I need to hire a personal injury Lawyer for my case?

You can choose self-representation, but it might not end well. Insurance companies will use your lack of experience in these cases and legal loopholes to pay you less than you deserve. But this doesn’t happen when you have legal representation, as your lawyer will protect your rights and interests.

How much do personal injury Attorneys charge?

Our personal injury lawyers in Lansing, Michigan, work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay us until we win. Also, we will only take between 33% and 40% of the compensation.

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

How Our Lansing, Michigan, Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You

Our legal team at Goodman Acker, P.C., will act on your behalf during settlement negotiations, and if that fails, we will represent you in court and argue your case before a jury. We also handle investigations into your case and help to gather evidence that will help you prove your claim. If needed, we will call expert witnesses.

We will also advise you on the right choices to make at every point in your case. We will keep you updated throughout the claims process and make decisions you agree with and are in your best interest.

Book a Free Consultation with Our Team at Goodman Acker P.C.

At Goodman Acker P.C., we understand the toll an injury can take on your life. So, while you recover, we will handle your claim. We will protect your rights throughout the process and work to get fair compensation. 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 ]