Kalamazoo Car Accident Lawyer

Kalamazoo Car Accident Attorney

When you have been injured in a car crash, one of the most important resources you can have is a trusted Kalamazoo car accident lawyer who is ready to fight for the justice you deserve. If you and your family are not sure where to find such a resource, look no further than the firm of Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC. Our team understands the overwhelming challenges faced by car accident victims, and we know exactly how to help.

The car crash injury team at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, has an extensive track record of success representing injured Michiganders just like you, including in and around the Kalamazoo area. Our sterling reputation as the Kalamazoo area’s premier personal injury attorney has been built case by case, and one satisfied client at a time. In the process, we have amassed an impressive list of personal injury case victories.

Common Causes of Car Crashes in Kalamazoo, MI

Modern America and its travel infrastructure are built around personal automobile use, and Michigan is the historical ground zero for this revolution. Kalamazoo’s busy roads and sophisticated highway systems are, therefore, no stranger to car accidents.

Some common causes of car crashes in and around the Kalamazoo area include:

• Distracted driving: A widespread road safety issue that has increased in prominence in direct correlation with the rise of personal cell phones, social media, texting, and other now-ubiquitous technology, distracted driving can lead to all sorts of accidents, from single-car rollovers to multi-vehicle pile-ups or even fatal car-pedestrian collisions.Once stereotyped as a problem with inexperienced teen drivers, we now know that distracted driving affects motorists of every age group and demographic. Until every motorist learns the importance of putting down the phone to focus on the road, distracted driving will, unfortunately, continue to be found at the root of many motor vehicle accident injuries.
• Reckless driving: Excessive speeding and other forms of reckless motor vehicle operation are other common contributing factors for accidents in Kalamazoo, as well as throughout other parts of Michigan. Driving too fast for road conditions, aggressive lane changes, and other reckless choices can cause someone to lose control of their vehicle or create a hazard for other motorists, leading to serious accidents and injuries.
• Driving under the influence: Operating a vehicle while using drugs or alcohol is considered a serious offense in Michigan and other states because of the serious public safety hazard that drunk and drugged driving represents. According to some official sources, more than 40% of roadway fatalities in Michigan involve alcohol or drugs.It only takes a single intoxicated driver to make a roadway unsafe for everyone else on and around it. Motorists who selfishly choose to get behind the wheel when they are too buzzed to drive safely all too often cause injuries and fatalities.
• Road conditions: Of course, not every accident can be traced back to the negligent or reckless decisions of a particular driver. Here in Michigan, bad road conditions are another frequent struggle faced by motorists. A sudden ice storm or an unseen pothole can create a serious hazard for even the safest of Michigan drivers.
• Vehicle defects: One unfortunate thing about vehicle maintenance issues is that they sometimes don’t present themselves until the worst possible time–such as when you’re doing 60 on the highway. When some part of your car’s mechanical system fails in the middle of your daily commute, it can potentially lead to accidents and injuries for yourself or other motorists.

What to Do After a Kalamazoo Car Accident

If you have been involved in a car accident in the Kalamazoo, MI, area, try to remain calm. Here are the recommended steps you should take in the immediate aftermath of the crash:

1. Call 911: Alert emergency services so that you can get a police officer and EMS to the scene as quickly as possible.
2. Gather preliminary evidence: If you can, gather photographic evidence while you wait for emergency services to arrive. Get multiple angles of the crash scene, including adjacent road signs, landmarks, skid marks, debris, etc. Also, exchange license and insurance information with other parties if it is possible to do so, but avoid discussing who is at fault for the accident. This is what the ensuing legal process will be for.
3. Get medical attention: Even if your injuries seem minor or nonexistent, it’s important to get yourself checked out after a car accident. This is important for your own health and peace of mind, but may also prove vital when trying to gather evidence for a subsequent personal injury claim. If other parties appear injured or potentially injured, do not attempt to move them.
4. File a police report: Even if the accident was a minor fender bender, you would still want an official police report for insurance purposes. This is especially true if you believe you may have been injured in the incident. Give the police all the information they need to do their jobs and provide a concise and straightforward explanation of the accident from your perspective, but once again, avoid speaking in terms of fault and blame.
5. Contact your Kalamazoo car accident lawyer: Once your immediate medical needs are met, contact the firm of Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, for high-powered legal assistance pursuing your personal injury claim.We can help you gather and organize all the necessary evidence to support your claim, file the necessary paperwork to get the process started, and negotiate effectively with insurance companies on your behalf, in addition to handling any unexpected surprises the claims process might send your way.

FAQs About Kalamazoo, MI Car Accident Law

How Many Car Crashes Happen Each Year in Kalamazoo?

The Kalamazoo area has just under 10,000 total car accidents each year, with nearly 20% of them resulting in either an injury, possible injury, or fatality. This is roughly on pace with Michigan’s overall statistics, which see around 50,000 personal injuries and fatalities from around 250,000 annual accidents.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Michigan?

A car accident lawsuit in Michigan works like other types of personal injury lawsuits. To distill the process to its most fundamental, a party who has sustained legally compensable injuries files a claim against the party who is responsible, through negligence or wrongdoing, for those injuries. Personal injury cases related to car accidents are somewhat unique because they will often involve one or more insurance carriers in addition to the principal parties and their representation.

What Are Most Lawyers’ Fees for a Car Accident?

The fees incurred for your lawyer’s services are determined by the circumstances of your case. It is recommended that you speak with your attorney during your initial consultation about the types of fees that you could be facing. During this consultation, ensure you are completely honest with your attorney about your case so that you can ensure you both have the right information to adequately investigate your claim.

Contact Kalamazoo Car Accident Lawyer

If you are injured in Kalamazoo, ensure you have the right team on your side to help fight for what you deserve. Don’t let insurance companies pressure you or take advantage of your situation. The highly adept team at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, is ready to fight for every dollar you deserve. Contact our team today to set up an initial consultation and learn more about our services.