Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyers

In the seconds following a collision on I-196 or US-131, you are faced with a jarring new reality. The aftermath of a serious crash often involves significant injuries, mounting medical expenses, and stressful calls from insurance adjusters. While you focus on your physical recovery, critical questions about your legal rights and financial future emerge.

If you’ve been in a car accident in Grand Rapids, understanding your options for seeking compensation is paramount. A dedicated Grand Rapids car accident lawyer from Goodman Acker PC can provide the clarity and advocacy you need to navigate the path forward. If you were injured, contact our team to learn how we can help you pursue accountability and fair compensation.

Key Takeaways for Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyers

• Michigan’s no-fault insurance system provides certain benefits regardless of who caused the crash, but suing an at-fault driver for pain and suffering requires meeting a “serious impairment of body function” threshold.
• There are strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, for filing a car accident lawsuit in Michigan, making it important to act promptly.
• The state’s comparative negligence rule can affect the amount of compensation an injured person receives if they are found to be partially at fault for the accident.
• Compensation in a car accident claim can cover both economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Why Choose Goodman Acker PC for Your Grand Rapids Car Accident Claim

When you are recovering from an injury, choosing the right legal representation is one of the most important decisions you will make. You need a team that is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely cares about your well-being. At Goodman Acker, we build our practice on a foundation of honesty, ethics, and a deep commitment to our clients. With over 150 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys have a proven history of achieving significant settlements and verdicts for those injured by another’s negligence.

We understand the trust you place in us, and we honor that trust with dedicated advocacy and open communication. Our approach is to treat you like family, ensuring you are heard, respected, and kept informed every step of the way.

• We Are Attentive: Your case is unique, and we provide the personalized attention it deserves. We listen to your story, answer your questions, and tailor our strategy to your specific needs and goals.
• We Are Knowledgeable: Our attorneys have a deep understanding of Michigan’s complex car accident laws. We use this knowledge to navigate the legal system effectively on your behalf.
• We Are Aggressive Advocates: We are not afraid to stand up to large insurance companies and their legal teams. We will tirelessly fight to protect your rights and pursue the maximum compensation available.

Our mission is to help you rebuild your life. We handle the legal burdens so you can focus on what matters most: your health and your family.

Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company After a Grand Rapids Car Accident?

After a car accident, it is common to receive a phone call from the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster. They may seem friendly and concerned, often making a quick settlement offer to resolve your claim. While it can be tempting to accept this money, especially when bills are piling up, it is crucial to understand that this first offer is almost always far less than what your claim is actually worth.

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their primary goal is to protect their bottom line, which means paying out as little as possible on claims. The adjuster’s job is to convince you to settle quickly before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and the total financial impact of the accident. They are counting on you not knowing your rights or the true value of your damages.

Accepting a quick settlement can be a costly mistake for several reasons:

• It May Not Cover Future Medical Needs: Many injuries, like back or neck trauma, may require ongoing treatment, physical therapy, or even surgery long after the accident. A first offer rarely accounts for these future costs.
• It Fails to Account for All Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work for an extended period or force you to take a lower-paying job, a quick settlement will not cover this long-term loss of income.
• It Undervalues Your Pain and Suffering: The physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life you experience are significant damages. Insurance adjusters often minimize or completely ignore these non-economic losses in their initial offers.

Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you give up your right to seek any further compensation for that accident, even if your injuries turn out to be more severe than you initially thought. Before you speak with an adjuster or sign any documents, it is highly recommended that you consult with an experienced Grand Rapids car accident attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand what a fair settlement should look like.

Laws that Impact Car Accidents in Michigan

A car accident claim in Michigan requires a clear understanding of state-specific laws. These regulations can significantly influence your ability to recover compensation and the overall strategy for your case.

Some of the most important Michigan laws that could affect your car accident case include:

• Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance System
• The Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
• The State’s Comparative Negligence Rule

Having a basic grasp of these rules can help you protect your rights from the very beginning.

Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance and the Serious Injury Threshold

Michigan operates under a “no-fault” auto insurance system. In simple terms, this means that after an accident, your own auto insurance policy is your primary source for certain benefits, regardless of who was at fault. These Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits are designed to cover your immediate economic losses.

PIP benefits typically include:

• Allowable Medical Expenses: This covers costs for your medical care, recovery, and rehabilitation that are reasonably necessary for your treatment.
• Lost Wages or Income: You can receive up to 85% of your lost income for up to three years if your injuries prevent you from working. This amount is capped and updated annually.
• Replacement Services: You can receive up to $20 per day for help with everyday tasks you can no longer perform due to your injuries, such as household chores, childcare, or yard work.

While PIP benefits are helpful, they do not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering. To step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for these damages, you must prove that you suffered a “serious impairment of body function.”

According to Michigan law, this is an objectively clear injury that affects your general ability to lead your normal life. Proving you meet this threshold is a critical and often contested part of a car accident lawsuit.

Michigan’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents

The law places a time limit on your right to file a lawsuit after an injury. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. In Michigan, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims arising from a car accident is generally three years from the date of the accident.

If you fail to file a lawsuit within this three-year window, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party forever. While there are a few rare exceptions that can extend or shorten this deadline, it is always best to assume the three-year rule applies.

Three years may seem like a long time, but building a strong car accident case takes significant effort. This includes:

• Investigating the crash and gathering evidence.
• Collecting all relevant medical records and bills.
• Consulting with medical and economic professionals.
• Negotiating with insurance companies.

Because of this, it is essential to contact a Grand Rapids car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash. This ensures that important evidence is preserved and that all legal deadlines are met.

Understanding Michigan’s Comparative Negligence Rule

In some accidents, more than one person may be partially at fault. Michigan law addresses this possibility through a rule called “modified comparative negligence.” This rule allows you to recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, your final award would be reduced by 20%, leaving you with 80%.

However, Michigan’s system has a critical cutoff point. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you are barred from recovering any non-economic damages (pain and suffering). Insurance companies often try to use this rule to shift as much blame as possible onto the injured victim to reduce or eliminate their payout. An experienced attorney can build a strong case to accurately demonstrate the other party’s fault and protect you from unfair accusations of blame.

Compensation Available in a Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawsuit

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the various ways the crash has impacted your life. The goal of this compensation, also known as damages, is to help restore you to the position you were in before the accident occurred. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), non-fatal crash injuries in the U.S. result in over $50 billion in lifetime medical costs and lost work productivity. Your personal claim will reflect the unique losses you have suffered.

Damages are typically divided into two main categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages are intended to reimburse you for your direct financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses. These are tangible costs that can be calculated and proven with documents like bills, receipts, and income statements.

• Past and future medical expenses (hospital stays, surgery, medication, therapy)
• Lost wages and income from being unable to work
• Loss of future earning capacity if you are permanently disabled
• Property damage to your vehicle and other personal items
• Vocational rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages are designed to compensate you for the intangible, personal losses you have suffered. These damages do not have a specific price tag but are just as real and devastating as financial losses.

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium (the impact on your relationship with your spouse)

Our legal team at Goodman Acker works diligently to document all of your losses to build a comprehensive claim that reflects the full extent of your damages.

FAQ for Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyer

Here are answers to some common questions we receive about car accident claims in the Grand Rapids area.

What should I do if the at-fault driver is uninsured or fled the scene?

If you are hit by a driver with no insurance or an unidentified hit-and-run driver, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own auto insurance policy. Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage is optional coverage that you can purchase to protect yourself in these situations. It is important to review your policy and report the accident to your own insurer promptly.

How much does it cost to hire a Grand Rapids car accident lawyer?

At Goodman Acker, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay us any upfront fees. Our payment is “contingent” on us winning your case. We only receive a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you through a settlement or a court verdict. This arrangement allows everyone to access high-quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.

Can I still file a claim if I was a passenger in one of the vehicles?

Yes, as an injured passenger, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file a claim against the driver of the car you were in, the driver of the other vehicle, or both. Your claim would proceed similarly to a driver’s claim, and you are entitled to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Contact the Trusted Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyers at Goodman Acker PC Today

Dealing with a car accident claim is incredibly challenging. You should not have to navigate the complex legal process while trying to recover from your injuries. Let the compassionate legal team at Goodman Acker carry that burden for you. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality legal services to our clients in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan. We are good people who will do everything we can to help you get your life back on track.

When you hire our firm, you are getting a dedicated team that will stand by your side from start to finish. We will:

• Conduct a thorough investigation into your accident to determine fault.
• Handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Work with medical and financial professionals to accurately calculate your total damages.
• Fight tirelessly in negotiations or in the courtroom to secure the best possible outcome for you.

If you have been injured in a car accident, do not wait to get the help you need. Contact Goodman Acker PC today at (616) 333-8302 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are available 24/7 to listen to your story and explain how we can help.

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 ]