Advocating For Victims Of Serious Car Accidents In Grand Rapids

Catastrophic car accidents can drastically alter your life, burdening you with substantial injuries as well as many financial and legal hurdles to overcome. Your road to recovery may involve extensive medical care, expensive car repairs and intricate insurance claims. It is at this time that accident victims rely on their insurance providers to do what is right and offer a fair car accident settlement. Unfortunately, this is often a rare outcome. Most accident victims receive a low offer that doesn’t fully address their long-term needs.

At Mabbitt Bhimani Law, we offer steadfast, proven counsel to accident victims and their loved ones throughout Kent County and the surrounding areas. We are attorneys Anne Mabbitt and Sam Bhimani, and we draw on decades of combined legal experience to design strategic approaches that get results. You can rely on us to handle your claim with integrity and diligence as we pursue the maximum compensation available for your claim.

Why Entrust Your Car Accident Claim to Us?

Navigating a complicated personal injury case requires skill and legal insight. Working with a proven attorney can make a substantial difference in how your concerns are addressed and your case is resolved.

At Mabbitt Bhimani Law, we regularly take on the challenging cases that other lawyers avoid. Previous to founding our firm, we defended insurance companies against accident claims. We are intimately familiar with the strategies insurance companies use to protect their interests, not yours. You can depend on us to advocate effectively on your behalf. We will tirelessly research your options and seek out an efficient course of action while treating you with the professionalism and dignity you deserve.

Do You Know What To Do After A Car Crash?

The immediate moments after a crash are frightening and disorienting. If you know what to do, you can make your claim much easier going forward. Knowing what steps to take after a Michigan car accident can help protect your rights and strengthen your potential claim.

If you can, try to follow these steps:

Protect your safety: Make sure you are safe. Get to a secure area if possible.
Call 911: Report the crash to the police and request an ambulance if necessary.
Exchange Information: Collect contact and insurance information from the other driver or other parties.
Document the scene: Take pictures of the crash site, vehicle damage and any injuries you have.
Medical attention: Get a medical evaluation, even if you feel okay, as some types of injuries may not appear immediately.
Report to insurance: Notify your insurance company about the accident.
Contact an attorney: Contact a Grand Rapids car accident attorney to discuss your accident and protect your rights.

Taking these steps can help ensure that you have the necessary documentation and support to pursue a successful claim. When you speak to a personal injury lawyer in person, you can get a more detailed idea of the unique steps that you should take depending on your circumstances.

Types Of Car Accidents We Handle

With our considerable experience, there are a few varieties of auto accidents that we have not seen. Just a few of the claims that we regularly handle are:

Car accidents: Helping victims recover compensation for injuries sustained in automobile collisions.
Semi-truck accidents: Representing individuals involved in accidents with commercial trucks, where the stakes and complexities are often higher.
Motorcycle accidents: Advocating for motorcyclists injured due to the negligence of other drivers.
Bicycle and pedestrian accidents: Assisting cyclists and pedestrians injured in collisions with motor vehicles.
Rideshare accidents: Navigating the complexities of accidents involving rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
Public vehicle accidents: Handling cases involving buses, taxis and other public transportation vehicles.

Car accidents come in many forms, each with its own unique challenges and considerations. Understanding the different types of car accidents can help you better navigate the aftermath and seek appropriate legal assistance.

Examples of the most common types of car accidents include:

Rear-end accidents: They occur when one vehicle collides with the back of another vehicle.
Rollover accidents: This involves a vehicle tipping over onto its side or roof.
Jack-knife accidents: This typically involves large trucks, in which the trailer swings out and forms a 90-degree angle with the cab.
Left-turn accidents: They happen when a vehicle making a left turn is struck by oncoming traffic.
Drunk driving accidents: These involve drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Distracted driving accidents: They occur when drivers are not paying full attention to the road due to distractions like texting or eating.
Speeding accidents: They result from drivers exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions.

We have successfully handled these types of cases, leveraging our experience and strategic approach to secure favorable outcomes for our firm’s clients.

The Elements Of An Auto Accident Claim

To have a successful auto accident claim, you must establish certain elements. Without them, you may not have a successful claim. You should learn about these elements to help you better navigate the legal process.

The critical components of a car accident claim include:

Duty of care: The responsible party had a legal obligation to act in a way that would not cause harm.
Breach of duty: The responsible party failed to meet this obligation through their actions or inactions.
Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the accident and resulting injuries.
Damages: The victim suffered actual harm or losses due to the accident.

Negligence is a crucial concept in auto accident claims. It refers to the failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person. We have successfully demonstrated negligence of the other party or a third party numerous times in complex claims. We know what it takes to demonstrate that the other party in your claim was negligent, too.

Common Damages That You Can Recover In Car Accident Claims

The expenses that occur after a motor vehicle accident are staggering. Few can afford to pay out of pocket for the bills that soon pile up. You may have the right to recover compensation for damages such as:

Medical care: Covering the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation and future medical care related to the injury.
Lost wages: Compensating for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery.
Pain and suffering: Providing compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.
Loss of consortium: Compensating for the impact of the injury on the victim’s relationship with their spouse or family.
Property damage: Covering the cost of repairing or replacing personal property damaged in the incident.
Punitive damages: If someone used extreme negligence or even intentional harm, the court may award extra damages to punish the at-fault party.

If you feel uncertain about how to pay your bills after a car accident, turn to us. We are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the compensation they deserve by meticulously building solid cases and advocating for their rights.

Filing A Bodily Injury Claim To Cover Excess Expenses

In Michigan, there are specific circumstances under which you can file a lawsuit against a driver who was negligent in causing an accident. To do so, the other driver must be found to be more than 50% responsible for the incident.

Lawsuits may be pursued in cases where an accident has resulted in severe consequences, such as:

Death
Permanent disfigurement
Significant impairment of a body function
Long-term loss of income.

There are limits to the reimbursement car accident victims may pursue, so it is crucial to consult with an attorney before taking legal action. You can rely on us to review the circumstances surrounding your crash before we advise you on your options.

How Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance System And PIP May Impact Your Claim

Michigan operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means that drivers have a legal obligation to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This coverage provides benefits regardless of who is at fault for the accident; however, the terms of the insurance policy you purchase may restrict the benefits you are entitled to receive. The statute of limitations for pursuing compensation through your PIP policy is often shorter than an average personal injury claim, so it is critical to speak with an attorney immediately after your accident.

If your accident-related medical bills exceed the medical benefits coverage limit in your PIP policy, or if your lost wages due to injuries exceed the wage loss benefits limit or duration under Michigan’s No-Fault law, you may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for the excess or uncovered expenses.

Navigating the complexities of Michigan’s insurance laws can be challenging without the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney. Victims need a Grand Rapids car accident lawyer who can explain these insurance laws, help with their claims and stand up against insurance companies. We are well-versed in Michigan’s no-fault insurance system and are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the benefits and compensation they are entitled to.

Get The Help You Deserve From A Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyer

Trust to handle your car accident case with the care, dedication and precision it deserves. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Grand Rapids personal injury attorney.

Call us at 616-326-1111 or send us an email to schedule your appointment. Located in Grand Rapids, our firm proudly serves clients in Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kent County and the surrounding areas.