Royal Oak Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents happen more often than many people realize in Royal Oak, Michigan. Between busy intersections like Woodward Avenue and 11 Mile Road or the stop-and-go traffic near downtown Royal Oak, crashes happen every day. Some lead to minor scrapes. Others change lives in seconds. 

If you or someone close to you was seriously hurt because of another driver’s careless actions, you need a Royal Oak car accident lawyer to protect your rights and take the pressure off you and your family.

At Goodman Acker PC, our team understands the unique circumstances that follow car accidents in Royal Oak. We’ve helped people recover the maximum compensation available after devastating crashes in neighborhoods across the city. When insurance companies try to cut corners, we push back. We’re here to help you understand your options. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Royal Oak?

Accidents happen fast. One moment you’re driving along Washington Avenue. The next, you’re trying to make sense of shattered glass, spinning thoughts, and a crowd of headlights. Get an Attorney for a Car Accident to protect your rights and guide you through the next steps. Knowing what steps to take can make a difference in your safety and your claim.

Immediate Steps at the Scene

Move to a safe spot if you can. Turn on your hazard lights and check if anyone needs emergency help. Call 911 and wait for officers to arrive. Don’t leave the scene unless you’re taken for medical care. While you wait, take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and traffic signs. Get the other driver’s insurance and contact information, along with names of witnesses.

Medical Attention and Documentation

Even if you think you’re okay, get checked out as soon as possible. Some injuries don’t show up right away. Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital sees many crash victims every year. Follow up with your doctor and keep a record of all visits, prescriptions, and missed work days.

Contacting Insurance Companies

You’ll need to notify your own insurance company fairly quickly. Michigan’s no-fault law means your insurance covers your initial medical bills and lost wages, no matter who caused the crash. But be careful with what you say. Stick to the facts, and don’t agree to a recorded statement before speaking to a lawyer. A Car Accident Settlement can depend heavily on early documentation and communication, so it’s important to proceed carefully.

When to Call a Lawyer

Reach out to a lawyer early. The sooner you get help, the easier it is to gather evidence, document your injuries, and protect your rights. If the crash involved serious injuries, disputed fault, or multiple vehicles, a Royal Oak car accident lawyer can step in to deal with the insurance companies and fight for the full amount you’re owed.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Royal Oak

Royal Oak sees traffic crashes for all sorts of reasons. Some are preventable. Others involve reckless or negligent behavior. Certain streets, like Normandy Road, can become dangerous when people ignore traffic rules or lose focus behind the wheel.

Distracted Driving

Texting, eating, using GPS, or messing with the radio while driving pulls attention from the road. Even a two-second glance away can lead to a rear-end crash or someone running a red light.

Drunk Driving and Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence remains a top cause of deadly crashes. Whether it’s alcohol, marijuana, or prescription drugs, impairment slows reaction time and makes it hard to judge speed and distance. Some of the worst crashes in Royal Oak involve intoxicated drivers heading home from late-night bars on Main Street.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

When drivers ignore speed limits or weave in and out of traffic, they put everyone at risk. Higher speeds mean longer stopping distances and more serious injuries.

Weather-Related Accidents

Slick roads after snow or freezing rain create hazards, especially during Michigan winters. Drivers who fail to adjust to conditions often spin out or slide into other vehicles on roads like Coolidge Highway.

Intersection and Traffic Light Violations

Many accidents happen at intersections where one driver runs a red light or fails to yield. Places like Crooks Road and 13 Mile have seen serious crashes when people ignore traffic signals.

How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?

No two crashes are the same. The value of a case depends on how bad the injuries are, what kind of treatment is needed, how long recovery takes, and how the accident affects everyday life. Lawyers look at the full picture to demand the maximum compensation available.

Medical Expenses and Future Care Costs

Your claim should include hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, and any future medical care tied to the crash. Most Car Accidents Occur suddenly and without warning, which is why even future treatment needs to be factored in. If your injuries require long-term treatment or in-home care, those costs should be covered too.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

If you missed work after the crash or can’t return to your job, that lost income should be factored into your case. A drop in future earning ability can also raise the value of your claim.

Pain and Suffering Damages

This covers the human side of the injury. Things like chronic pain, anxiety, or the toll the accident took on your daily life matter. These losses don’t come with receipts but are still part of what you can recover.

Property Damage Recovery

Your vehicle repair or replacement costs, as well as damage to any personal property inside the car, can also be included in your claim.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle

Car accidents take many forms. Some happen at low speeds. Others involve rollovers, fire, or people struck while walking. We’ve worked with clients hurt in all types of crashes across Royal Oak.

Rear-End Collisions

These are some of the most common accidents. One driver slams into the back of another. Whiplash and back injuries are frequent in these cases.

Head-On Collisions

These crashes often cause severe injuries or fatalities. They happen when someone drifts into oncoming traffic, often due to distraction, intoxication, or fatigue.

Side-Impact Crashes

Also called T-bone accidents, these happen when one car slams into the side of another, usually at an intersection. The side of a car doesn’t protect as well as the front or back, so injuries can be serious.

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Crashes involving three or more vehicles can get complicated. It’s not always clear who started the chain reaction, and insurance companies may point fingers at each other.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

When a driver takes off after a crash, victims often feel abandoned. But Michigan law allows you to file a claim under your own insurance, and our Royal Oak car accident lawyer can help track down the at-fault party.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

People walking or biking don’t have the protection of a vehicle. These accidents often lead to broken bones, head injuries, or worse. Drivers who don’t yield at crosswalks or intersections can be held accountable.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Accident?

Blame doesn’t always fall on one person. Sometimes others are legally responsible too, and identifying everyone involved helps strengthen your case.

At-Fault Drivers

Most often, the driver who caused the crash through careless or reckless actions is held accountable. That includes running red lights, speeding, texting while driving, or being under the influence.

Employers and Commercial Vehicle Liability

If the crash involved a delivery truck or work vehicle, the company that owns or operates that vehicle could share legal responsibility. Car Accident Claim Worth can increase significantly when commercial liability is involved. Employers must ensure their drivers are trained and follow safety rules.

Government Entities and Road Conditions

When poor road design, missing signs, or potholes cause a crash, the city or state agency responsible for maintaining the road may be liable. These cases often involve strict deadlines, so it’s best to act quickly.

Vehicle Manufacturers and Defective Parts

If a faulty brake system, steering failure, or tire blowout caused the crash, the car maker or parts manufacturer may be to blame. These cases often require technical experts and detailed investigations.

Michigan Car Accident Laws and Regulations

Michigan’s car accident rules shape how claims work and what damages you can recover. The system has changed over time, but some key rules still apply.

No-Fault Insurance System

Every driver in Michigan must carry no-fault insurance. This means your own insurer pays for your medical bills and lost wages up to certain limits, regardless of who caused the accident. But if the injuries are serious, you can still sue the at-fault driver.

Statute of Limitations

You generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long could mean losing your chance to take legal action.

Comparative Negligence Rules

If both drivers share blame for the crash, Michigan law allows your recovery to be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re more than 50% responsible, you can’t recover for pain and suffering.

Serious Injury Threshold Requirements

To sue an at-fault driver outside the no-fault system, you must show that the injuries meet Michigan’s threshold for a “serious impairment of body function.” This is a legal term with a specific meaning under state law.

How Our Attorneys Can Help

Goodman Acker PC stands up to insurance companies and at-fault drivers who try to avoid responsibility. We handle every part of your case, so you can focus on getting better.

Thorough Investigation and Evidence Collection

We gather police reports, medical records, crash scene photos, and witness statements. In some cases, we bring in accident reconstruction specialists to show exactly what happened.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

We handle all communication with insurers. That includes filing claims, responding to lowball offers, and pushing back when they try to blame you for the crash.

Medical Expert Consultation and Case Building

We work with doctors and specialists who can explain how your injuries happened and what care you’ll need going forward. These reports strengthen your case and support your damages claim.

Negotiating Fair Settlements

We know the tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying. Our Royal Oak car accident lawyer deal with insurance adjusters after a car accident every day, demand full compensation, and won’t recommend settling for less than what the law allows.

Trial Representation When Necessary

If the other side refuses to take responsibility, we’re prepared to go to court. We’ve taken many car accident cases to trial and know how to present a strong case in front of a jury.

Why Choose Our Firm

We don’t take every case. We focus on helping people who truly need help after serious injuries.

Local Royal Oak Experience and Knowledge

Having served injured clients throughout the region for more than 30 years, we know Royal Oak’s streets, intersections, and common crash spots. That gives us an edge when investigating your accident and preparing your case.

Proven Track Record of Success

We’ve secured millions in verdicts and settlements for Michigan car accident victims. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but they show our dedication and experience. To date, we have a 99% success rate.

No Fees Unless We Secure Compensation

You won’t pay anything upfront. We only get paid when we recover money for you through a settlement or verdict.

Personalized Attention and Communication

You won’t get passed around. We keep you informed and answer your questions. When you call, you’ll talk to someone who knows your case.

Resources to Handle Complex Cases

We have the staff, technology, and trial experience to handle tough cases with multiple parties, serious injuries, or disputed fault.

Let Our Car Crash Attorneys in Royal Oak Help

Time matters after a car accident. Evidence fades, and deadlines approach fast. If someone else caused the crash, Goodman Acker PC can take steps to hold them accountable and fight for the maximum compensation available under the law.

Call (248) 831-1507 today for a free consultation. Our team is ready to listen, review your case, and explain your legal options. You don’t pay unless we recover money for you. Let us help you move forward.

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 ]