Did you or someone you love suffer injuries in a car accident in Grand Rapids, Michigan? If so, you may feel the stress and strain of mounting medical bills, lost income, and other financial burdens. Someone else’s negligence should not mean that you have to struggle to get back on your feet.
The personal injury attorneys at Christensen Law have more than 30 years of case experience they can use to help you get the compensation you deserve. We strive to offer injured clients compassionate, responsive legal services backed by an award-winning team.
It is never too early to consult with a Grand Rapids car accident lawyer about a collision. At Christensen Law, we offer free, no-obligation consultations. Contact us today to learn more about how we can fight for your medical expenses, lost earnings, and other damages.
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How Our Grand Rapids Car Accident Attorneys Make a Difference in Your Case
Hiring Christensen Law to handle your Grand Rapids car accident case can ensure the insurance company treats you fairly and offers a settlement that satisfies your losses. Our Grand Rapids personal injury lawyers know the state’s No-Fault insurance laws and can help you seek a favorable personal injury protection (PIP) settlement, no matter who or what caused the crash.
Our Grand Rapids auto accident lawyers can also help with personal injury claims or personal injury lawsuits against parties liable for your collision. We can help with all aspects of your auto accident case, including:
- Investigating the facts of your car accident to determine all liable parties
- Collecting evidence needed to build your case, such as eyewitness statements, medical records, police reports, and expert testimony
- Helping you navigate the healthcare system to effectively treat and document your injuries
- Consulting with to determine the extent of your injuries and their effect on your life
- Submitting all your current claims for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages
- Estimating future treatment costs, lost income, and ongoing expenses related to your accident
- Negotiating with the insurance adjusters to ensure you receive the most advantageous possible settlement
- Filing a lawsuit and representing you at trial if necessary
- Updating you on your case’s progress
Auto insurance companies will look out for their bottom line over your best interests, but our firm has stood for injured clients since 1991. We have the experience necessary to help you get the settlement you deserve.
If you want to work with a Grand Rapids car accident attorney, you can contact us today for your free consultation. We are happy to review your case with you so that you have the information you need to make the right decision for you and your family.
Damages You Can Recover in a Grand Rapids Car Accident Claim
Damages are any costs you incurred as a result of your car accident, and you may also recover non-economic damages, which are costs that can’t be quantified, such as the value of your pain and suffering. Potential car accident compensation in your Grand Rapids car accident claim may include:
- Past and future medical expenses for your injury to pay for various medical treatments, supplies and equipment, hospital stays, and other expenses
- Lost income, including back pay and benefits
- Lost earning capacity if you have an injury that affects your ability to work
- Permanent disability, scarring, and disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Impaired quality of life
If your loved one died because of a car accident, we can help their personal representative pursue a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of their estate and survivors. We can seek compensation for your loved one’s medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and the loss of their financial contributions, support, services, care, and guidance.
We Have Won Millions of Dollars for Motor Vehicle Accident Victims
Our firm has helped thousands of clients recover compensation for personal injuries, and our record includes hundreds of trial wins. Our successful auto accident settlements and verdicts include:
- $17.8 million for a truck accident
- $3.2 million for a head-on collision
- $2 million for a car wreck
- $1.25 million for a motorcycle accident
Attorney David E. Christensen and the legal team at Christensen Law have helped car accident victims in Grand Rapids and across Michigan get justice and compensation for more than 30 years. Whatever injury you have suffered, our firm can help you recover the funds you need to get your life back on track. Call now for a free consultation.
How Much Is Your Grand Rapids Car Accident Case Worth?
Every car accident is different, so your settlement or verdict’s value depends on the nature and severity of your injuries. How the accident affects your life daily is also a factor. Our Grand Rapids car accident attorneys will determine full and fair compensation for your case using bills, receipts, invoices, pay stubs, estimates, and other documentation.
Aside from always advocating for you, our main goal is to protect your financial stability. We will demand your PIP provider and the at-fault party’s insurance company pay your damages so that you and your loved ones do not shoulder the financial burden of an accident you did not cause.
We put every resource at our disposal toward this end and prepare every case as though for trial. We will not sacrifice financial justice in favor of an easy resolution.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Grand Rapids, MI?
According to Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805, you have three years from the date of your accident or loved one’s passing to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 500.3145, you have one year to sue regarding a PIP claim.
Our Grand Rapids auto accident attorneys can help you pursue PIP and liability insurance compensation. However, if the insurance companies deny your settlement or offer inadequate payment, we may have to take your Grand Rapids car accident case to court. For this reason, it is important to begin your claim as soon as possible.
Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyers Explain Auto Insurance Laws in Michigan
Michigan is a unique No-Fault insurance state, which means that drivers must first turn to their own insurance company for coverage of medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. Under Michigan’s No-Fault law, all drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as part of their auto insurance policy. PIP benefits cover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Replacement services (such as household tasks)
These benefits apply for the policyholder, their passengers, and any family members living in the same household. However, some of these benefits stop after three years, even if your needs continue beyond this timeframe.
Michigan’s No-Fault system does not completely eliminate the possibility of filing a claim or lawsuit against a negligent driver. In certain situations, an injured person may be able to step outside the No-Fault system and pursue additional compensation.
How Negligence Leads to Grand Rapids Car Accident Claims
Negligence is a person’s failure to exercise reasonable care in their actions, resulting in harm or injury to others. This careless or reckless behavior can manifest in various ways, leading to accidents that could have been prevented.
Some common examples of negligence that contribute to car accidents include:
- Distracted driving: When drivers engage in activities that divert their attention from the road, such as texting or eating, they are more likely to cause accidents. Distracted driving impairs a driver’s ability to react to changing traffic conditions and increases the risk of collisions.
- Speeding: Going faster than the posted speed limit or driving too fast for the current road or weather conditions is a form of negligence. Speeding gives a driver less control over their vehicle, increases stopping distances, and makes it more difficult to avoid obstacles or other vehicles.
- Failure to obey traffic laws: Disregarding traffic signals, stop signs, yield signs, or other traffic control devices is negligent behavior that can lead to accidents. Running red lights, failing to yield the right-of-way, or making improper turns can result in collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians.
- Drunk or drugged driving: Operating a vehicle while you are drinking or using controlled substances is a clear example of negligence. Impaired driving diminishes a person’s judgment, reaction time, and ability to control their vehicle, making accidents much more likely to occur.
- Fatigued driving: Driving while excessively tired or drowsy is a form of negligence, as it can impair a driver’s attention, decision-making, and reaction time. Fatigued drivers can be just as dangerous to other drivers on the road as drivers who are under the influence.
- Improper vehicle maintenance: Failing to maintain a vehicle properly, such as not addressing brake issues, tire problems, or other mechanical defects, can be considered negligence. These issues can lead to equipment failures that cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in accidents.
When negligence causes a car accident, the at-fault driver may be held liable for the resulting damages, including property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering of the injured parties.
How a Grand Rapids Auto Accident Attorney Proves Negligence
To prove negligence in a car accident claim, our Grand Rapids auto accident attorneys must show that:
- The at-fault driver had a duty to exercise reasonable care.
- The driver breached that duty through their actions or inactions.
- This breach directly caused the accident
- You now have injuries or damages associated with this accident.
If you have been involved in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, it is essential to consult with a Grand Rapids car accident attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and seek the compensation you deserve.
What if I Caused My Own Car Accident?
Sometimes, car accident victims are found partially at fault for their car accident. Perhaps you were speeding through a green light, but someone ran a red light at the intersection and crashed into you. The other driver’s lawyer may try to say that you contributed to your own accident to try and get your award reduced.
Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence rule, outlined in Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.2959. Basically, the involved parties are assigned a percentage of blame. The percentage of blame can determine how much you receive in damages. If you are more than 50 percent liable for the accident, you may not be able to receive non-economic damages.
Our Grand Rapids car accident lawyers can help navigate this complex situation and fight back against any unfounded attempts to blame you for your accident.
Steps to Take to Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident
Sometimes, insurance companies will try to take advantage of your lack of experience. If you were in a car accident in Michigan, take these steps to protect your right to seek compensation:
Stay at the Scene
Never leave the accident scene until it is safe and appropriate. Leaving the scene without stopping could constitute a hit-and-run.
Call the Local or State Police
If your crash caused injuries, serious property damage, or death, dial 911 to call the police. If there is only minor damage, call the Grand Rapids Police Department on a non-emergency line. Request that the police file an accident report. The report will record the at-fault parties’ names, phone numbers, and contact information. You will need this to file an accident claim.
Take Pictures of the Scene and Speak With Witnesses
If physically able, use your phone to photograph the accident scene, any visible injuries you have, and the damage to your car. Take photos of the other car, too.
Eyewitnesses may be helpful for your car accident claim. Get all witnesses’ contact information so we can reach out for a statement. Witnesses can support your claim with testimony that describes how the at-fault party caused the accident.
Get Medical Attention
When the emergency medical responders arrive, ask them to examine you. Even if you do not think you sustained an injury, visiting your doctor for a thorough checkup is a good idea. Your doctor may identify injuries that are not apparent to you, such as a concussion. A medical examination is important to your health and documents your injuries for your car wreck case.
Keep Your Medical Bills and Other Documents
Keep detailed records of all damages the accident caused. We can use those records, including hospital bills, doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, and physical therapy records, as evidence.
Hire an Attorney
Our auto accident attorneys can help you navigate your car crash claim, allowing you to focus on your health and recovery.
Why Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyers Advise You to Stay Off Social Media
When you’re involved in a car accident claim, it’s crucial to be cautious about your social media activity. While it may be tempting to share details about your accident, injuries, or the legal process on various platforms, doing so can have severe consequences for your case.
Insurance companies and defense attorneys often monitor the social media accounts of claimants to find information that can be used to undermine their claims. Even seemingly harmless posts or photos can be taken out of context and used to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim or that you are not taking your recovery seriously.
Tips for Protecting Your Car Crash Claim in Grand Rapids
To protect your car accident claim, it is best to avoid social media altogether until your case is resolved. If you must use social media, follow these guidelines:
- Do not post anything related to your accident, injuries, or legal case
- Adjust your privacy settings to limit who can view your profile and posts
- Do not accept friend requests from unknown individuals, as they may be working for the insurance company
- Advise your friends and family not to post about your accident or tag you in any related content
By staying off social media or being extremely cautious about your posts, you can help preserve the integrity of your case and improve your chances of securing the compensation you deserve.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI
When someone else’s negligent actions cause you injury, you have the right to demand compensation for the resulting damages. Insurance companies may offer you an unfair, lowball settlement rather than the fair claim our qualified attorneys can help you obtain.
Contact Christensen Law for a free consultation before accepting the insurance company’s settlement offer. Our Grand Rapids car accident lawyers can determine the best course of action in your case. A team member is available 24/7 to answer your questions and tell you more about our services.
