Grand Rapids Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Compensation
Each Grand Rapids motor vehicle accident case has unique facts and circumstances that impact the damages a victim can receive for their injuries.
Motor vehicle accident settlements and jury awards commonly include compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including ambulance service, emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, radiology, diagnostic tests, doctor visits, and transportation costs to and from the hospital/doctor
- Estimated future medical costs when a motor vehicle accident leads to a permanent injury or condition that requires ongoing care and treatment
- Rehabilitation costs, including treatment with occupation therapists, physical therapists, mental health professionals, and other specialists that help those injured in motor vehicle accidents cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of their injuries
- Lost income due to time away from work related to a motor vehicle accident, injuries, hospital stay, and rehabilitation
- Estimated future lost wages for motor vehicle accident victims who cannot return to their job or seek gainful employment in the future
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium with a spouse
Various factors impact the money you might receive if you win your Grand Rapids motor vehicle accident case.
Examples include:
- Severity of injuries
- Nature of injuries
- Total economic loss
- Long-term prognosis
The Grand Rapids motor vehicle accident lawyers at Gruel Mills can review your case, investigate the circumstances of your accident, gather relevant information and documents, and advise you on the type and amount of compensation you could receive. We diligently pursue the maximum compensation commensurate with a client’s injuries.
Statute of Limitations for Grand Rapids Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuits
Most Grand Rapids motor vehicle accident victims must comply with Michigan’s three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Never wait until the last minute to take action. Failure to meet the deadline typically means accident victims cannot recover damages for injuries in a motor vehicle accident.
The law allows the court to make some exceptions and pause, or toll, the statute of limitations time clock, but only in rare circumstances. For example, if the defendant leaves the state, the court might toll the statute of limitations for the length of the defendant’s absence if it interferes with legal action.
Take swift action to preserve the availability and quality of evidence. As time passes, it’s more difficult for your lawyer to investigate the accident and gather supporting evidence. Witnesses relocate, pass away, or their memories of the accident become fuzzy. Similarly, security and traffic cameras that caught your Grand Rapids motor vehicle accident might overwrite the footage.
Contact our lawyers as soon as possible after your accident to give you the best chances of recovering compensation for your Grand Rapids motor vehicle accident injuries.
Grand Rapids Motor Vehicle Accident Claim FAQs
You might be uncertain about what comes next if you sustained injuries in a Grand Rapids motor vehicle accident. Contact the compassionate motor vehicle accident attorneys at Gruel Mills so we can review your claim and help you recover damages for your injuries. Until you have the opportunity to meet with an attorney, the answers to the following frequently asked questions about motor vehicle accident claims offer some preliminary information about seeking compensation for your injuries.
Can I Seek Punitive Damages in a Grand Rapids Motor Vehicle Accident Claim?
No. Michigan law prohibits accident victims from seeking punitive damages in personal injury lawsuits. If you win your case, you can only receive compensation for the economic and non-economic losses caused by your injuries. In states that allow punitive damages, courts award them to punish the defendant and deter negligent behavior. They are rare in accident claims, but a court might award them for drunk driving, aggressive driving, or other actions that show intentional disregard for the safety of others.
Although Michigan does not award punitive damages, courts can award additional damages referred to as “exemplary damages” in rare situations. If your injuries cause you humiliation or the driver who caused the accident acted with gross negligence, the court might award these additional damages. Your lawyer can review your Grand Rapids motor vehicle accident claim and advise on whether your situation warrants seeking exemplary damages.
What Should I Do if the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Contacts Me?
Refrain from speaking to them until you contact an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer. The other driver’s insurance company will investigate as soon as they receive a claim. They will want a statement from you and will likely ask to record it.
Let our lawyers speak for you, so you don’t have to worry about them twisting your words and using them to devalue your claim. You will have to speak with them briefly at some point, but your lawyer can advise what information you need to share with them.
Insurance companies also ask claimants to release their full medical history and gain access to as much information as possible. You do not have to comply with all their requests. Providing too much information can hurt your case. Instead, let your lawyer handle all communications and only provide what’s legally necessary. Limiting information protects the value of your claim by making it more difficult for the insurance company to reduce its value.
Ultimately, insurance companies aim to make it painfully difficult for claimants to receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries. If it’s your PIP policy that you paid for, they may fight your claim.
If they know their policyholder caused the accident, they will still do what they can to avoid a large payout. One common strategy they employ is to make a quick settlement offer soon after the accident. These offers are enough to tempt accident victims facing economic hardship to accept but rarely provide fair compensation for their injuries.
Discuss any settlement offers with a lawyer. Once you accept an offer, you must waive your right to sue for future compensation for your injuries. If you are unsure whether you will make a full recovery, this could leave you without the money you need for ongoing care and treatment, especially if you cannot return to work. Your attorney can use the first settlement offer as a starting point for negotiations. The skilled legal team at Gruel Mills often obtains better outcomes than what their clients could accomplish independently.
Do I Have to Go to Court for My Grand Rapids Motor Vehicle Accident Case?
Most motor vehicle accident claims settle long before litigation, so it’s unlikely you will have to go to court. Litigation is costly, giving both sides the incentive to reach a fair settlement agreement. However, sometimes liability disputes and other issues lead to a breakdown in negotiations, and a trial is the only option. Although it’s doubtful you will have to go to court for your motor vehicle accident case, Gruel Mills’s attorneys can prepare for the possibility that they will need to litigate for you.
How Long Will it Take to Resolve My Grand Rapids Motor Vehicle Accident Claim?
Many factors impact the timeline of an accident injury claim, but the extent and nature of your injuries play a big role. If your injuries are moderate and your doctors believe you will recover fully, it may take less time than if you suffered catastrophic injuries or the accident left you with a permanent disability. The more complex your case, the longer it will take to settle or litigate. Going to trial means more preparation, contacting witnesses, depositions, and other time-consuming administrative tasks.
Your attorney can review your claim, give you an idea of a potential timeline for your circumstances, and identify any challenges that could extend that time.
Can I Take Action if a Loved One Died in a Grand Rapids Motor Vehicle Accident?
Eligible family members can bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver or other party responsible for a loved one’s death from fatal accident injuries. Michigan law requires you to bring a lawsuit within two years from the death. If you qualify, you could receive compensation for funeral expenses, burial or cremation costs, and non-economic losses related to the tragic death of your loved one.
The team at Gruel Mills understands this is a difficult time for you and your family. We can answer further questions during a free consultation and advise you on the right path forward.
Can I Afford a Grand Rapids Defective Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer?
Yes. Your financial situation does not prevent you from getting the help you need to seek compensation for your injuries. Gruel Mills takes new clients on a contingent fee basis, deducting attorney fees and other legal costs from any money we secure for you in a settlement or jury verdict in your favor. You do not have to pay a retainer or out-of-pocket for our services.
Gruel Mills Helps Grand Rapids Motor Vehicle Accident Victims
After sustaining serious motor vehicle accident injuries, you need to focus your energy on recovering from injuries and moving on with your life. You don’t have to incur more stress by dealing with insurance companies and worrying about paying your medical bills.
Let Gruel Mills handle the finer details of your Grand Rapids motor vehicle accident claim and fight to get you maximum compensation.
Contact Gruel Mills online or call us at (616) 235-5500 to discuss the details of your motor vehicle accident, injuries, and proper next steps.
Gruel Mills – Grand Rapids Office
Campau Square Plaza Building
99 Monroe Ave NW #800
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 235-5500
Client Testimonial
“Gruel Mills is made up of wonderful, honest attorneys who truly care about their clients. I have many friends who have worked with William Azkoul and Thomas Behm, and have been extremely pleased with the amount of care and professionalism they exhibited. Would highly recommend!” – Christina D.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Star Review
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Our Results
Over the years, we have achieved significant results for our clients, including the following:
Truck accident – wrongful death – $4.2 million
Truck accident – wrongful death – $3.1 million
Car/Train accident – serious personal injuries — $2.5 million
Truck accident – wrongful death – $1.9 million
Truck accident – closed head injury – $1.8 million
Vehicle accident – wrongful death – $1.6 million
Vehicle accident – wrongful death – $1.5 million
Vehicle accident – serious personal injuries — $1.275 million
Vehicle accident –serious personal injuries –$1.2 million
Motorcycle accident – serious personal injuries – $1.5 million
