Grand Rapids Auto Accident Attorneys

Injuries from automotive collisions can be life changing for not only vehicle occupants but also their families and any other people that may be dependent on those injured in the crash. Having an experienced lawyer on your side can help to ensure that your interests are protected – especially when medical bills, outpatient treatment costs and other related expenses begin to mount.

Any time something needed to be done, they were prompt and thorough. I couldn’t have imagined going through this with anyone else or alone…
_{– K. Knott}

At Jay Trucks and Associates, our car accident lawyers have a successful track record of recovering compensation for motor vehicle accident victims including a $2,000,000 recovery for the victim of an auto accident who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a collision, a $500,000 recovery for a family business owner that suffered neck fractures in a crash and $240,000 recovery for a 24 year old mother working two jobs that sustained head injuries and broken bones in a collision.

An initial consultation with a licensed Grand Rapids auto accident attorney at our firm is free of charge and there is no requirement for you to take legal action if you have a viable case. That means there is no risk to you for contacting us. If you hire us to represent you, we do not get paid unless you do first.

Free Consultation. Ph: (800) 762-8623.

Can I File a Car Accident Claim?

This is one of the first questions potential clients have when they contact our firm and talk to an attorney. We need to review the circumstances of your accident, including how the other driver’s negligence may have been involved.

There are other questions we may need to consider to help us determine whether we may be able to help you:

After we talk to you and review the details of your crash, we can explain whether you may be eligible to seek compensation through an insurance claim, or in rare cases, a personal injury lawsuit.

We are here to answer your questions about the legal process.

What is My Claim Worth?

This is a complex issue to consider because of all the factors that can come into play. We not only need to consider the potential cost of your medical bills, both now and in the future, but also the value of wages lost from missed time at work and the cost to repair your vehicle. Generally, a claim may have increased value with a more severe injury because the damages will also be more extensive.

Our Grand Rapids car accident lawyers may also be able to pursue compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering as well.

The available insurance coverage is another major factor in a claim’s overall value, because most car accident cases are resolved through an insurance settlement. We can pursue compensation up to the limits of your insurance coverages and potentially the limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage.

Call (800) 762-8623 for a free consultation.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me?

Many accident victims do not know all the steps involved in pursuing a car accident claim. They also do not know how to build a strong case or calculate the full value of their damages. These are just a few of the reasons why hiring an experienced attorney may be very important after a serious car crash.

Auto accident cases that are handled by a licensed attorney usually result in larger financial compensation recoveries compared to those that are not handled by a lawyer.

For more than three decades, our attorneys have been representing car accident victims in Michigan, recovering fair compensation to help them move forward with their lives.

When we take a case, we manage the legal process from start to finish on behalf of our clients. We have the team and the resources to comprehensively investigate an accident and build a case against a negligent driver. This often includes:

Our Grand Rapids auto accident lawyers are also prepared to deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. That means negotiating for maximum compensation and managing their requests for information, such as medical records and statements about the accident.

We have access to industry experts who may be able to help us validate your claim and prove the extent of your injuries and damages.

How Much Time do I Have to File a Claim?

Insurance companies usually have deadlines for filing claims, so it is important to get the process started right away. After an accident you can call our firm anytime to schedule a free consultation so we can get the process started, if we find you have a case and you want to proceed.

Michigan also has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit over an accident. The deadline is three years from the date of the injury, which means if you do not file within three years of the accident you may lose the right to do so.

There may be exceptions for your claim that lengthen or shorten the filing deadline. Claims against a government entity over a defective highway that contributed to a crash have a notice requirement – you need to give notice of your claim to the government entity within 120 days of suffering an injury.

Have Questions? We Can Help. Ph: (800) 762-8623.

When Can You File a Car Crash Lawsuit?

It is important to note you do not have an unlimited right to sue over a car accident injury. Michigan is a no-fault state, so you are prohibited from filing a lawsuit after a car accident unless one or more of the following criteria apply to your accident:

• You sustained a serious injury or were permanently disfigured
• A loved one was killed in the crash
• The crash was caused by a non-resident driving a vehicle not registered in the state
• You were injured in a crash in another state
• The other driver is more than 50 percent at fault for damages to your car not covered by insurance – you can sue for up to $1,000

Have questions about when you can file a car accident lawsuit in Michigan? Call (800) 762-8623.

Insurance Coverage for Michigan Crash Victims

Every driver in Michigan is required to purchase no-fault insurance (personal injury protection (PIP)) to cover reasonable and necessary medical expenses in the event of an accident. These policies provide coverage no matter who is at fault for the crash.

Any policy issued or renewed before July 1, 2020 provides unlimited coverage for medical expenses. Under this existing coverage, you are also eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 85 percent of wages you would have earned if you did not get hurt, for a maximum of three years. Additional compensation is available for household services (housekeeping tasks, yardwork, etc.) if the victim needs to hire someone to perform these services during recovery.

Auto Accident – $350,000 Recovery
For a 59 year old mother that suffered a severe head injury, fractured wrist and a partially severed finger in a collision.

However, any PIP policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2020 will have different levels of coverage, depending on what the policyholder chooses. You can still choose the unlimited option for maximum protection or you may opt for lesser amounts that provide limits of $250,000 or $500,000 in coverage. Those covered by Medicare can choose to have no PIP health coverage, while those on Medicaid can choose a coverage limit of $50,000. You may also elect to go without PIP health benefits if you have qualified health coverage (coverage that does not exclude motor vehicle accident injuries).

You must file your no-fault insurance claim within one year of the date of the accident, otherwise you may lose the opportunity to obtain any of these benefits.

Liability Insurance

If the other driver is found legally responsible for the accident, your Grand Rapids auto accident lawyer may be able to obtain coverage from the other driver’s liability insurance. For policies issued or renewed before July 1, 2020, minimum coverage is:

• $20,000 per person
• $40,000 per accident
• $10,000 for property damage

For policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020, minimum bodily injury increases to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident.

What Happens When the Other Driver Lacks Insurance?

You may be able to obtain compensation from your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (usually $20,000 per person and $40,000 per crash). There are often requirements that must be met before you can file a claim for this kind of coverage, so it is important to discuss the situation with a qualified lawyer.

Schedule a free consultation by completing a Free Case Evaluation form.

How to Deal with Questions from Insurance Companies

Insurance companies handle claims all day long. They know accident victims are vulnerable – they may still be in shock from the accident, under the influence of pain medication, or unsure of their rights and what their claim may be worth.

Those are all reasons why insurance providers like to call injured victims soon after the accident. When they call, their adjusters may do one or more of the following:

• Offer a settlement, often far below the full value of your claim, which can only be properly calculated after treatment ends and the cost of lost wages and medical costs are factored in
• Request you to provide a recorded statement, claiming it will help speed the process along
• Ask a lot of questions designed to trick you into making damaging statements, such as comments that minimize the severity of your injuries or assign some amount of fault for the crash to you

If an insurance company calls, you can politely tell them to talk to your attorney. If you do answer questions, you should stick to the facts about the accident. Avoid giving your opinions about anything. If you are not sure, you can refuse to answer. You should also avoid giving any recorded statements until consulting with your lawyer.

Insurance companies are looking for any way to pay out the least possible amount of compensation. Fortunately, you have the option of hiring an experienced attorney who knows how to protect the full value of your claim.

What Can I do After the Accident to Help My Potential Case?

There are many things accident victims can do to help their Grand Rapids auto accident lawyer build a solid case. However, the most important step you can take after an accident is to get to the hospital.

Our number one concern at Jay Trucks and Associates is your health and safety. Once your injuries have been treated and stabilized, we can review whether you have a case and how much it may be worth.

If you are able after the accident, you may be able to help us by collecting evidence at the scene. It can be very helpful for crash victims to take pictures of both vehicles and the rest of the scene to give a better idea of what happened. Pictures of any visible injuries may also help link them to the crash, as insurance companies often try to dispute this connection.

If you see any witnesses, ask them about what they saw. If you get their permission, you can record the conversation on your smartphone. Make sure to ask for their name and other contact information so our attorneys can reach out in the future.

Following the treatment plan recommended by doctors is very important. If you stop treatment you could hurt the value of your claim.

No Upfront Fees. Ph: (800) 762-8623.

Why do Most Car Crashes Happen?

Auto accidents are often the result of another motorist’s negligence, such as driving while drunk or distracted. Other potential causes of a crash include:

These forms of negligence can lead to many kinds of crashes, including:

Contact Our Grand Rapids Car Accident Attorneys Today

Your injuries could affect you for a long time, which is why it is so important to pursue compensation if the crash was caused by another’s negligence.

You want to hire a law firm with a history of results that puts your best interests first. At Jay Trucks and Associates, we have been representing accident victims for decades and have been able to recover more than $500 million in compensation on their behalf.

We are prepared to manage the legal process for you, while keeping you informed every step of the way. The consultation is free and there are no attorney’s fees unless we obtain compensation for your claim.

Learn more about how we may be able to help during this trying time.

Jay Trucks & Associates – Ph: (800) 762-8623.