Ann Arbor Car Accident Lawyer

Ann Arbor Car Accident Attorney

Dangerous drivers who break basic safety rules endanger our communities. In fact, studies demonstrate that careless or reckless drivers who injure others often go on to have other wrecks, injuring more people. Whether from speeding, running red lights, texting or drunk driving, unsafe drivers are a threat to our community. If you have been in a car accident, you can seek help from an Ann Arbor car accident lawyer.

The law firm of Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, represents people who have been injured in car accidents in Michigan by the negligence of other drivers. We strive to hold those bad drivers accountable for the personal and economic harm they have caused. Our personal injury attorneys in Kalamazoo also help clients recover compensation under their own auto insurance when those other parties do not have adequate insurance or assets.

Serious injury accidents demand serious representation. Our Ann Arbor car accident attorneys will skillfully and aggressively protect your rights. Call 734-545-8421 for a free consultation.

40+ Years Of Experience With Auto Accidents in Ann Arbor, MI

We have handled all types of motor vehicle accidents, from intersection crashes and rear-end collisions to accidents involving trucks. We conduct a thorough investigation into the negligence that caused the accident, including illegal and grossly negligent behaviors such as texting while driving or driving while intoxicated.

Our firm has obtained good recoveries for the most serious car accident injuries, such as brain injury, spinal cord injury, and fatal accidents. We regularly represent the most vulnerable victims, such as pedestrians, bike riders, children and passengers.

Why Choose Us?

Our team has the experience you need. When you work with us, you can feel confident in the following:

• A proven track record: We have been successfully helping injured Michiganders for 40+ years, and we will not stop doing so. Our reputation as Ann Arbor’s premier personal injury firm has been built one successful outcome at a time, and we would be honored to help you next.
• Strategic solutions: Successful personal injury litigation requires smart and responsive strategies, not a cookie-cutter approach to the law. We understand the challenges our injured clients face every day, and we know that every case deserves not only empathy but ample attention and unique, custom-crafted legal solutions to match.
• Accessible, powerful legal help: We take the stress out of choosing the perfect Ann Arbor car accident injury lawyer with our contingency fee payment structure. That means no up-front payments and no legal fees unless we win.

Pursuing Justice

It is the civil justice jury system that serves as the real enforcer of these safety rules. When juries hold unsafe drivers accountable, they ensure the safety of our community. Yet, giant insurance companies with their army of defense attorneys and hired gun experts try to distort our legal system. They try to get unsafe drivers a free pass. To increase their profits, insurance companies deny benefits and work to help wrongdoers avoid being held responsible for their misconduct.

Our Michigan car and truck accident lawyers fight for community safety and use the civil justice system for its proper purpose. We ensure that good and honorable people who were injured through no fault of their own are compensated, and unsafe drivers are held accountable.

Fighting on Your Behalf

In Michigan, those injured in car accidents have the right to no-fault insurance benefits to pay for their medical expenses, rehabilitation services, some of their wage loss and other benefits. Oftentimes, insurance companies wrongfully deny these benefits, knowing that many people will not pursue legal claims. The insurance company reaps the profits from this shameful practice. Our Michigan car accident attorneys fight the insurance companies to get people the benefits they deserve.

There are a variety of different types of damages an injured person might be eligible to pursue in the aftermath of a serious car accident, depending on the specific circumstances involved. Some of the key types of damages for which a car accident injury victim could receive damages include:

• Medical expenses: The victims of car accidents in Ann Arbor can seek financial coverage for all medical bills directly related to their compensable injury, including initial emergency medical assistance, rehabilitative treatments, medications, assistive devices, and any necessary surgeries. This also includes ongoing and future expenses, such as long-term physical therapy to regain the use of severely injured body parts.
• Lost income: If your car accident injuries prevent you from working or reduce your ability to keep up with business, you can seek damages for lost wages and diminished earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering: Car accidents can be incredibly traumatic, life-altering experiences, and the pain and suffering associated with these events are just as serious as that would suggest, on an emotional level as well as a physical one. Appropriately calculated settlements will include damages for the victim’s physical pain, anxiety, mental health struggles, and overall diminished quality of life caused by the accident.
• Property damage: In addition to being appropriately paid for the injuries you have suffered, you could also be reimbursed for the destruction of your automobile and other property pursuant to the injurious accident. These damages should be commensurate with the actual cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle or other personal property.
• Wrongful death: Sadly, some percentage of car crashes in Michigan each year result in not only injuries but fatalities. When someone’s life is taken in a car accident caused by another person’s negligent or reckless driving, their surviving family members can pursue substantial damages through a wrongful death claim.
• Loss of consortium: In certain cases where a married person suffers an injury that results in severe bodily impairment, their spouse may be eligible to file a claim for loss of consortium damages. This essentially refers to a loss of spousal companionship that tragically occurs in the wake of certain severe injuries that permanently impact a spouse’s bodily function or mental capacity.

Being Proactive After an Ann Arbor Car Accident

If you have been in a car accident in Ann Arbor or the surrounding area, there are several steps you can take to help your claim. Always alert emergency services and see to your immediate medical care first, but if you can do so, gathering preliminary evidence can be a crucial step.

You can help your case by being proactive about gathering evidence at the crash scene. Try to get:

• Crash site photographs: Take lots of pictures from multiple angles. Include all involved vehicles, any nearby signs, all debris, road markings, and close shots of all vehicle and property damage.
• Injury photographs: When taking photos of the crash scene, don’t forget to get some detailed photos of your own injuries as well. You’ll want to get photos of all injuries and suspected injuries immediately after the crash, in addition to taking more photos throughout the process of treating and healing your injuries.
• License and insurance information: If it is physically and mentally possible for all involved parties to do so, they should be freely exchanging identification and insurance information with one another. Be courteous and empathetic with others involved in the accident, as it is a scary experience for everyone, but also be sure to avoid discussing who was at fault for the accident. Your lawyer and the ensuing personal injury claims process will handle that.

It’s important to act quickly when gathering and handling evidence, and it’s also important to contact a trusted attorney as soon as possible. These two concepts go hand in hand because the highly adept car accident injury team at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, ensures that your evidence is collected, analyzed, and contextualized in the most effective way possible for proving damages and maximizing your personal injury settlement.

FAQs About Ann Arbor, MI Car Accident Law

How Many Car Accidents Happen Each Year in Michigan?

In Michigan, roughly 300,000 traffic accidents happen each year. However, the exact figure can vary significantly. While 314,377 crashes were reported in 2019, there were only 287,953 in 2023. The number of total fatalities each year hovers around 1,000. In 2023, 1,095 fatalities and 71,085 injuries were reported.

Is It Worth it to Hire a Car Accident Attorney?

It is worth it to hire an accident attorney if you want to give yourself the opportunity to get the help you deserve for injuries you’ve suffered in an accident. Working with the highly qualified attorneys at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC ensures that no money will be left on the table and that insurance companies won’t be able to pressure and manipulate you in negotiations.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Michigan?

In Michigan, filing a car accident lawsuit should begin by speaking with an attorney. Your attorney will then work on your behalf to file a claim against the insurance company of the at-fault driver. In addition to this filing, your attorney may also file a claim against the at-fault driver directly. The guidance you receive from your attorney will keep your claim on track.

How Should I Choose a Car Accident Lawyer?

To choose a car accident lawyer, you should schedule a consultation with an attorney. During this initial meeting, you can discuss the details of your case with a lawyer. They can explain your next options, make sure you know what to expect, and discuss their fee structure to ensure you’re informed.

Contact Our Ann Arbor Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one suffered from an auto accident injury due to the negligence of another driver, do not hesitate to schedule a free consultation with our Ann Arbor car accident attorneys. We offer a free case review and a no-pressure consultation process, so there’s no reason to delay another day when it comes to getting the help you need. Our Michigan car accident lawyers have more than 30 years of experience handling complex injury cases. Contact us at 734-545-8421 or through our convenient online contact form.