Auto Accident Injury in Grand Rapids, MI

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Grand Rapids? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Grand Rapids, MI that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Grand Rapids, Michigan

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed.

In 2019 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, alone, there was a grand total of 8,936 motor vehicle accidents. Of those, 7,517 resulted in property damage, 1,403 resulted in reportable injuries and 16 resulted in fatalities. However, 18 people died in those accidents and 1,776 sustained injuries. Respectively, 384 and 43 of those accidents involved a drunk or drugged driver.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Though it is always smart to report a car crash, regardless of how big or small, to the local police department, Grand Rapids has its own unique reporting requirements. Per the Grand Rapids Police Department Policies and Procedures, you must only report a roadway accident if any of the following is true:

  • It resulted in a personal injury
  • The resulting damage to all vehicles or property likely exceeds $1,000
  • It was a hit and run

If the accident occurred on a non-roadway, the rules are slightly different. After a non-roadway crash, you must only report the incident if it resulted in an injury or fatality, involved a hit and run or you suspect the other driver of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You must also file a report if you hit a stationary vehicle and cannot locate its owner.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

  • Full name, address, phone number and email address
  • Driver’s license state and number
  • Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

  • Burn injuries
  • Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
  • Brain and head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries

The average cost of accidents throughout the state of Michigan in 2018 was a whopping $44,119,102,000. Fatal accidents accounted for most of that spending, costing approximately $10,855,000. Crashes that involved suspected serious injuries were the second-most expensive type of incident, accounting for $1,187,000, while accidents that involved suspected minor injuries were the third most costly at $327,000. Crashes that involved possible or no injury cost the state $151,000 and $50,000, respectively.

In Kent County, the total cost of traffic crash casualties was right around $1,266,000,000. The average cost of a single incident was $34,072. However, when the incident involved alcohol, the cost was about five times that, at $194,923 per crash. This data is from 2017.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Michigan

Liability Laws for Grand Rapids

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Michigan is a no-fault state, meaning your insurance must cover the cost of damages sustained in a car accident regardless of who was at fault. By law, every driver must carry Personal Injury Protection, Property Protection and Residual Liability insurance.

Statute of Limitations in Grand Rapids

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. In Michigan, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Grand Rapids, MI

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Michigan!

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