Fighting for Injury Victims in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Across West Michigan
A car accident can be a frightening, life changing event. The accomplished Kalamazoo Super Lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm have decades of experience in fighting for our clients. We work every day to help our clients bounce back and get the compensation and justice they deserve. We specialize in car accident injury cases in Kalamazoo and throughout west Michigan.
Kalamazoo County Car Accident Statistics
Kalamazoo has a large number of car accidents and crashes every year. In 2022, according to the Michigan State Police, there were 8,728 car crashes in the county. These crashes resulted in 1,844 injuries and tragically 32 fatalities.
Alcohol played a role in 264 of these crashes and 12 fatalities. That means drinking and driving caused more than a third of all Kalamazoo car accident deaths.
Another major factor in Kalamazoo car accident cases is distracted driving. In 2022, distracted driving resulted in 551 crashes and 158 injuries. The only more prevalent reason for car accidents were crashes involving deer.
Construction zones and work zones also play a major role in auto accidents. In 2022, Kalamazoo County experienced 317 crashes inside a work zone. This was a major increase from the prior year. In a construction area, it is important to slow down and maintain a safe distance between you and the driver in front of you. In fact, this is required under the Michigan rules of the road.
Dangerous Kalamazoo Streets and Intersections
There are numerous hazardous intersections in Kalamazoo County. Some of the most dangerous include:
- Howard St. and Stadium Drive
- Drake Rd. and Stadium Drive
- Drake Rd. and W. Kalamazoo Ave.
- Sprinkle Rd. and Cork Street
- Romence Parkway and South Westnedge Avenue in Portage.
Auto accidents can and will happen. If you are injured in a car crash due to another driver’s negligence, our Kalamazoo car accident lawyers help you receive financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering resulting from the automobile crash.
What Should I Do After a Kalamazoo Car Accident?
It is never easy to do certain things after a car accident. You are in shock, the adrenaline is pumping, or you may be too injured to do much of anything. But if possible, it is wise to try and do the following things after a car accident.
- Call 911 or the police. Make sure law enforcement comes and takes a full report.
- Exchange information with all other drivers. This includes first and last names, telephone numbers and insurance information.
- Take photographs of the license plates of the other vehicles involved in the accident.
- Take photographs of the car damage to your vehicle and the other vehicles
- Take videos on your cell phone if necessary.
- Ask for medical treatment if needed. Don’t be afraid to take an ambulance to a hospital. Your health is always the most important and the ambulance bill will most likely be covered by the auto insurance.
- Call a great Kalamazoo car accident lawyer to educate yourself and get questions answered before calling the car insurance company.
Who Pays for My Injuries After a Kalamazoo Auto Accident?
The people or entities who pay for your injuries after a car accident are the insurance carriers for the negligent defendants. The are multiple potential defendants following a car accident in Kalamazoo.
First, the driver who caused the crash is obviously responsible for the harms and losses he or she caused. Second, under Michigan’s owner liability statute, the car owner is also responsible for the bad choices the driver made. This is true even if the vehicle owner was not in the car.
Another potential defendant is the employer of the negligent driver. If an employee is within the course and scope of her employment, then the employer can he held responsible for the employee’s negligence.
Sometimes, a third-party company such as Uber or Lyft can be responsible for an accident. In many situations, your own auto insurance company has to step up and pay for pain and suffering compensation.
It is important to call a Kalamazoo car accident injury lawyer following a crash. Every situation is different and there could be a defendant or company responsible for paying for your injuries.
How Much Money Can I Get After a Kalamazoo Car Accident?
The amount of money a person can receive from a car accident in Kalamazoo depends on several different factors. First, the severity of the injury is very important. The more severe an injury is, the more harms and losses the injured victim incurs. Juries will tend to award more money for greater harms and losses.
In addition, medical treatment is very important. I like to say that a person can complain until the “cows come home”, but if there is no medical documentation to support these complaints you won’t get very far under Michigan law.
Third, the amount of the insurance policy matters. The fact of the matter is it’s very difficult to get money above the insurance policy limit. Because other drivers often purchase low insurance or fail to have any insurance, it’s important to protect yourself. The best way to do this is to purchase uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your own auto policy.
That way if you are injured by an uninsured driver, your own car insurance must step up and pay pain and suffering compensation.
Last, your lawyer makes a big difference. Hiring the a very good Kalamazoo car accident law firm can mean the difference between a small settlement and a large settlement. Our team of aggressive auto accident lawyers investigate every single case, hire necessary experts, meet with treating doctors, take all necessary depositions and do what it takes win our client’s lawsuit.
What If I am Partially At-Fault for Causing the Accident?
Even if you are partially at-fault for causing the car accident, you are still entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. In fact, so long as the other driver is at least 50% at-fault, you are eligible for money compensation.
And remember, Michigan is a no-fault state. This means in almost all situations you can obtain Michigan first-party benefits, even if you caused the crash. These benefits include the payment of medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket, prescriptions, rehabilitation and other things.
Can I Get Compensation for Soft Tissue Injuries From a Kalamazoo Car Accident?
Insurance companies specialize in down playing the severity of injuries. They will call severe low back pain a “soft tissue” injury, implying that it is “no big deal.” But under Michigan law, you do not have to have broken bones and surgery to get compensation for your injuries.
Although there is a minimum threshold of impairment or injury a person must meet, our experienced Kalamazoo car accident lawyers can walk you through the process and explain the law to you. And under the law, you can still obtain compensation for so-called “soft tissue” injuries.
These types of injuries come in many forms. Usually doctors or insurance companies will refer to low back pain, neck pain, headaches and bruising as minor or soft-tissue. But don’t let the insurance companies fool you or trick you. Our Kalamazoo car accident injury lawyers have helped thousands of drivers and passengers throughout Michigan receive money for so-called soft tissue injuries.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer After a Kalamazoo Car Accident?
Most of the time, a car accident in Kalamazoo only involves minor vehicle damage and no injuries. However, if the crash is serious and results in injuries, an experienced Kalamazoo car accident lawyer is a good person to turn to make sure you do not get taken advantage of by the insurance company.
A knowledgeable car accident attorney can help you open a claim for first-party benefits as well as get money for your pain and suffering.
Insurance companies try to take advantage of individuals who are not experts and may not understand the claims process. They will often try and low ball a person to get them to settle cheap and fast. They will do this by promising to send a check immediately. But in return the injured person gives up all their rights and way less than their injuries are worth.
It is important to consult with a great Kalamazoo car accident lawyer who knows the tricks of the trade and how car insurance companies act. Just as importantly, you need a Kalamazoo auto accident law firm that will consistently keep your updated on your case and has a history of obtaining large dollar settlements for clients.
What If I am Hit by a Car While on a Bicycle or as a Pedestrian?
If you are walking across the street, or riding a bicycle down a roadway, and a car runs a red light or makes a turn and causes a crash, you can still get compensation for your injuries. The Michigan no-fault law provides no-fault benefits for almost all individuals involved in a motor vehicle crash. This includes pedestrians and individuals on bicycles. These cases are treated the same as normal auto accidents.
In addition, an injury victim struck by a car can also collect compensation for their pain and suffering so long as they prove the driver was at least 50% negligent in causing the collision.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Kalamazoo Car Accident Lawyer?
Our personal injury lawyers always take on cases on a contingent fee basis. This means you do not pay legal fees or even costs until we win your case. Our firm pays all the upfront costs necessary to win, which can include obtaining medical records, hiring experts, investigators, court fees and other costs.
When we are successful in obtaining a settlement or verdict, the legal fee is one-third (1/3) of the amount including costs. If for we reason we are not successful obtaining money, you do not owe us anything, ever. At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, this means you will pay nothing only if we win your case and you get paid.
Contact Our Winning Kalamazoo Car Accident Injury Lawyers
We understand the frustration, pain and financial hardship that comes with any type of car accident. That is why we have successfully fought and won hundreds of millions in settlements for our clients for almost 50 years. At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. there is no fee owed until we win your case. No matter what kind of auto accident you are involved in, our lawyers will fight to get you the financial compensation you deserve.
Call us today at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or fill out The Free Consultation Form listed above so we can get started on your personal injury case.
