Detroit Car Accident Lawyer

We’ve Achieved Million-Dollar Results

The Detroit car accident lawyers at Goodman Acker have a track record of success when it comes to representing car accident victims. We are successful in 99% of these cases. If you’ve been injured in a crash, let us do the legal heavy lifting while you focus on getting better.

Each year, thousands of people are killed and millions more are injured in motor vehicle crashes. In the state of Michigan, more than 270,000 car accidents occur annually. These crashes are frequently caused by the negligence of other drivers, often leading to their own death or injury as well as the death or injury of innocent victims.

Choosing the right Detroit car accident lawyer can make or break your case. You want a legal team that is skilled and experienced and a law firm that is large enough to commit resources to aggressively represent you. Goodman Acker P.C. has helped thousands of Detroit auto accident victims get the justice they deserve and win the maximum settlement for their injuries. We can help you, too.

Damages You May Be Entitled To

A DETROIT CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER EXPLAINS DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPENSATION.

There are three main damages available after a car accident – economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Following are descriptions of each:

Economic Damages (also called Special Damages)

Economic damages compensate for financial losses and out-of-pocket costs an injury victim sustains such as:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings potential
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages (also called General Damages)

Non-economic damages compensate for more abstract losses such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

Punitive Damages

Unlike the first two types of damages, the purpose of punitive damages is to punish the negligent party in cases of willful negligence such as drinking and driving. In these cases, the negligence and disregard for the safety of others is so egregious that the court decides to punish the defendant as well as send a warning to future would-be wrongdoers.

How Much Should I Get for a Fair Car Accident Settlement?

After being injured in a crash, you’re probably asking, “how much should I get for a fair car accident settlement?” Getting an idea of the amount you can recover is helpful and comforting as you navigate the legal process. Keep in mind that every case is different, and the amount of money you receive will depend on a variety of factors. Some of these include:

• The severity of your injuries
• The cost of your medical bills and future medical treatment
• The amount of lost wages and any loss of future potential earnings
• The number of defendants
• The amount of property damage
• The skill of your Detroit car accident lawyer

For a rough estimate of what you can expect to get from your car accident settlement, take all of your expenses from the accident (including medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and car repairs) and multiply the sum by three.

Depending on the accident circumstances, a wide variety of possible injuries can occur. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Whiplash
• Neck injuries
• Back strain/sprain
• Herniated discs
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Paralysis
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Lacerations and cuts
• Scarring
• Severe burns
• Knee injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Wrongful death

The severity of injuries can depend on the type of collision, speed on impact, and seatbelt use. An accident involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle typically results in much more catastrophic injuries because fully loaded semi-trailers can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds compared to the average car, which weighs about 4,000 pounds.

Detroit Car Accidents: FAQs

A lot of our clients ask a Detroit car accident lawyer the same questions. It is crucial to understand Michigan accident laws and how they affect your case. To better prepare you for your initial consultation, following are answers to some commonly asked questions. We hope this is helpful.

Do I need to contact the police after the accident?

Yes, in most cases. Under Michigan auto law, you are required to immediately file a police report after your crash if death, injury, or property damage exceeds $999. Even if you don’t file a report at the accident scene, you are not restricted from filing a report in the next day or two.

How long does the settlement take after the crash?

A Detroit car accident lawyer can explain how long a settlement will take to process based on several factors unique to your case. Important elements affecting timing include:

• Type and severity of your injuries
• Your medical prognosis and rehabilitation time
• Current and future medical needs
• Your ability to return to work
• Whether there is disputed liability
• Whether your case may go to trial

Who pays my medical bills?

Under Michigan auto law, an accident victim is entitled to be compensated for medical bills for injuries arising from the crash. This is based on no-fault insurance laws in Michigan. Typically, these bills will go through the insurance company of the at-fault party or through the Michigan Assigned Claims Facility. To ensure that your medical bills are covered, you should file an Application for No-Fault Benefits with the correct insurance company. A skilled Detroit car accident attorney can guide you through this process.

What Is a No-Fault State?

As of July 1, 2021, Michigan enacted a new no-fault law that impacts all drivers and their insurance policies, as well as other individuals injured in car accidents including bicyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and more. To get the most up-to-date information, speak to our car accident attorneys in Detroit.

Michigan is a no-fault state, and every owner of a vehicle in the state is required by law to purchase certain basic coverages to pay for expenses in the event of an auto accident. “No-fault” means that insurance companies pay for expenses and damages no matter who caused the accident.

The new 2021 no-fault law allows drivers to select personal injury protection (PIP) medical coverage options ranging from unlimited to no coverage. These options will also change who is responsible to pay benefits for certain types of accidents, especially if the injured claimant lacks insurance coverage. To learn more, read Michigan’s Guide to Insurance Coverage.

How do I get my condition validated to file a third-party claim?

A physician should be the one to validate the seriousness of your injuries. That can be done through your visits and diagnostic tests. To qualify to bring a third-party liability claim, your injuries must have impacted your life in a significant way. Courts will look closely at how long you were off work, what activities are affected, what you can’t do for yourself anymore, etc. If your life isn’t significantly impacted, you may not have a serious body function impairment. Talk to our car accident lawyers in Detroit to find out more details.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit for my injuries in Michigan?

In general, you have three years after the accident to file a lawsuit in Michigan. That means three years from the date you were injured to recover damages sustained in a Michigan car accident. If you fail to meet the deadline, the court could throw your case out. That means you would be eligible to collect nothing, even if the defendant made an offer before the deadline passed.

Depending on who the defendant is, you could have other filing deadlines to monitor, too. For example, if you have a claim against a government agency, you only have six months to put them on official notice. The filing time is reduced to 120 days if your claim relates to a defective building or highway. The statute of limitations, in this case, would only be two years. So call a Detroit car accident lawyer today to get your claim started.

Is there a time limit to file a no-fault claim in Michigan?
Michigan has two filing deadlines that relate to personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

1. You must provide written notice to the correct insurance company within one year of the accident date.
2. Provided you gave notice to the insurance company within the first year, you must commence legal action within a year of incurring an expense if the insurance company doesn’t pay it. (This is known as the “one-year-back rule.”)

CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS IN DETROIT RECOMMEND THESE ACTIONS.

1. Call 911 and ask police to respond to the crash site.
2. Seek medical attention right away.
3. Exchange driver’s license and insurance information with the other driver.
4. Get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses and bystanders.
5. If you are able, use your mobile phone to take pictures of your injuries, the damage to both vehicles, and the accident scene. Be sure to get pictures of any skid marks, defective guardrails, or other noteworthy elements.
6. Gather any physical evidence at the scene if you can.
7. Hire a Detroit car accident lawyer to represent you.

After these immediate steps are taken, you should request an “Application for No-Fault Insurance Benefits” from your insurance agent. Then schedule a consultation with a Detroit car accident lawyer at Goodman Acker. We offer a free initial consultation and will make sure you know your rights. Call us at (248) 306-8729.

CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS IN DETROIT CAUTION AGAINST THESE MISTAKES.

It’s important to know what things not to do after a wreck so they don’t come back to haunt you later. Every Detroit car accident attorney will caution you against the following:

1. Do not admit or acknowledge fault moments after the accident. Be polite but say as little as possible to the other driver. Answer police officer’s questions succinctly and honestly, but do not over-explain. Resist the temptation to tell a long story about what happened and what led up to the crash.
2. Do not refuse medical attention at the scene if it is offered by paramedics. In most situations, it is best to allow medical professionals to assess and treat your injuries.
3. Do not post pictures, videos, or comments on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other social media showing or discussing the crash. Avoid making these social media mistakes. The insurance company may be watching.

Reasons to Choose a Detroit Car Accident Lawyer at Goodman Acker

There are so many reasons to choose a Detroit car accident attorney at Goodman Acker. Our legal team is top-notch, and we treat every client like a valued human being. We hire the best and the brightest lawyers who focus on exceptional client service. We are proud of the positive testimonials we receive from satisfied clients, and our law firm has achieved outstanding results. Our car accident attorneys are deeply committed to getting the justice you deserve, and we will not rest until we achieve the best outcome possible. We will …

• Answer all your questions, including who is responsible for your medical bills and whether or not you need an attorney to represent you.
• Represent you under a contingency fee agreement, which means there are no costs or fees whatsoever unless you win a settlement or recovery.
• Charge no upfront fees so you never have to worry about picking up the phone and being billed to ask questions or learn if you have a case.
• Handle your no-fault insurance claim and help you attain the benefits you deserve, such as reimbursement for medical bills and lost wages, attendant care services, and more.
• Work with the insurance adjuster so you don’t have to and can concentrate on your recovery.
• Obtain all necessary evidence to help you win your case, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and more.
• Guarantee first-hand, personal attention so you achieve the best possible settlement for your case.

Put 150+ Years of Combined Experience on Your Side

For more than 150 years, our Detroit car accident lawyers at Goodman Acker P.C. have been dedicated to helping crash victims recover compensation for their injuries and get back on their feet. We understand that you’ve been through a traumatic event, and it can be life-altering for both you and your family. Our legal team is compassionate and understanding, and we’ll walk beside you throughout the legal process. We’ll fight hard to get the compensation you deserve. To find out more about how we can help, call us for a free initial consultation at (248) 306-8729.