Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyer

Grand Rapids Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash in the Grand Rapids area, help is available. A skilled and knowledgeable Grand Rapids car accident lawyer from Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, can help you hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligent driving and assist you through the process.

Our firm has built its reputation throughout Michigan one case at a time, helping injured Michiganders pursue substantial damages in the aftermath of tragedy.

At the Michigan law firm of Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, our business model isn’t just about providing top-shelf legal solutions; it’s also about empathy, understanding, and personalized care. We understand the unique challenges faced by car crash injury victims, and we are here to support you through every step of the process, all while fighting aggressively to hold negligent drivers and reluctant insurance companies accountable.

Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC: The Trusted Choice for Your Grand Rapids, MI Car Accident

Car crashes are a daily reality on the busy roadways of Kent County and the Grand Rapids, MI metro area. Current crash data from the Grand Rapids Police Department shows over 200 crashes per month, with some recent months breaking the 300-crash mark. While around 80% of these crashes, thankfully, do not result in any injuries, the others result in a variety of unfortunate outcomes for the victims involved, from burns and traumatic brain injuries to tragic motor vehicle fatalities.

When your morning commute or weekend road trip turns into an unthinkable nightmare due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness behind the wheel, you need a trusted advocate who can guide you through the legal process to come. Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, is proud to offer its services to the people of the Grand Rapids area when they need help the most. Our offerings include:

• Decades of Success: Our firm has a 40-year track record of helping injured Michiganders steer their personal injury claims to successful outcomes and substantial settlements.
• Millions Recovered: Our firm’s history includes many 6- and 7-figure settlements for injured clients. We use every tool at our disposal to maximize the amount of each client’s settlement, whether that requires savvy negotiations with insurance companies or fierce litigation in a court of law.
• Personalized, Client-Focused Services: We understand that every accident and injury is unique and deserves individual attention and respect. At Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, we don’t cut corners or offer cookie-cutter legal solutions. Instead, we customize legal solutions to meet each client’s personal needs while maintaining a focus on being highly accessible and available when our clients have questions or need support.

Understanding Grand Rapids, MI Car Accidents

Like any other vibrant city, Grand Rapids sees a variety of underlying causes for car crashes. Some common ones include:

• Distracted Driving: Drivers trying to operate a vehicle while simultaneously texting or scrolling on their phones continues to be a safety problem throughout Michigan and beyond. Other forms of distracted driving can prove dangerous, such as fiddling with onboard vehicle systems or eating. Grand Rapids Police Department crash data identified cell phones as a factor in 5 different crashes within the first 3 months of 2025 alone.
• Speeding and Reckless Driving: When drivers make foolish, selfish decisions instead of driving carefully and defensively, they put themselves and everyone else on the road at risk, and injuries can ensue.
• Intoxicated Driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is considered a serious criminal offense in Michigan and other states. One of the main reasons this problem is taken so seriously is the concerning rate at which drunk and drugged driving contributes to injurious and fatal crashes.
• Weather Conditions: Harsh, slippery weather can rear its head in Michigan in fall, winter, and springtime, so it’s no surprise that poor road conditions and reduced visibility contribute to many accidents in and around Grand Rapids.
• Failure to Yield: A large percentage of accidents in Grand Rapids and neighboring cities occur at intersections. Common intersection accidents usually involve one driver failing to follow signals or signage and pulling out without yielding to oncoming traffic. While intersection accidents often occur at relatively low speeds, serious injuries are still possible. Grand Rapids is home to several notable, high-risk intersections, such as Broadmoor Avenue and Cherry Valley Avenue SE.

FAQs About Grand Rapids, MI Car Accident Law

How Long Do Most Car Accident Settlements Take?

Most car accident settlements take multiple months, with more complex or contentious cases potentially taking longer to fully resolve. The total length of a car accident settlement typically depends on the complexity of the case, the number of different parties involved, the value of the settlement, and the disposition of the various parties. Each case is unique.

What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring an Accident Attorney?

There are several common mistakes to avoid when hiring an accident attorney. A common mistake is hiring a lawyer who does not have a solid background handling cases like yours.  Another common mistake is agreeing to legal services without a clear understanding of your Grand Rapids personal injury attorney’s fee structure and billing policy.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

There are many reasons you might need a lawyer after a car accident. Every situation is completely unique, so depending on the circumstances of the crash you were involved in (especially any injuries or damages sustained) a simple insurance claim might not be adequate to achieve the outcome you are seeking. A lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim, gather necessary evidence, and build a powerful, customized legal strategy to help you achieve justice.

How Does a Car Crash Case in Michigan Work?

A car crash case in Michigan looks quite different from incident to incident, because every situation is unique. The majority of automobile accidents result in damage to property, while others can lead to serious injury or even death. Some car crashes are resolved by an injured party simply filing an insurance claim with their own carrier, but others require complex and lengthy legal proceedings to achieve appropriate justice for injured victims.

Contact a Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyer Today

Don’t let a faceless insurance company decide what your pain and your future are worth. Contact Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, to speak with our car accident injury team and learn how our high-powered legal services can maximize your injury settlement and set you up for a better tomorrow. Your initial, no-cost consultation is totally confidential.