At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we understand how frustrating and traumatic a car accident can be. Let our Traverse City car accident lawyers help you handle the stress. We can help you get back on your feet with the compensation you need to pay for your financial and emotional losses.
Experienced Traverse City Car Accident Lawyers
Our law firm handles a wide range of Michigan car accident cases in Traverse City and throughout northern Michigan. Our team of experienced and compassionate car accident lawyers has represented car accident victims injured in Grand Traverse County, Petoskey, Charlevoix, Bellaire, Frankfort, Kalkaska, and points in between. We have recovered hundreds of millions over the past 50 years.
- Our attorneys are regularly selected to present at legal seminars across Michigan and are recognized as Super Lawyers.
- In the past several years, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm has settled numerous seven-figure cases, including those involving car accident victims.
- Eric Steinberg served as President of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ), the umbrella organization for all Michigan personal injury lawyers.
- Lee Steinberg has tried cases to successful verdicts in multiple states throughout the country, honoring his goal of always helping those in need and protecting the public’s safety.
Michigan Personal Injury Lawyers Who Get Results
We are proud to have some of the best Michigan personal injury lawyers. Some of our recent results include.
- $5,750,000 for a man injured at a work site
- $3,250,000 for a woman injured at a major retailer
- $2,500,000 for a man injured by a semi-truck
- $2,000,000 for a woman killed in a car accident
- $1,300,000 for a man injured at a construction site
- $1,250,000 for a tenant injured at her rental complex
How Does the Lee Steinberg Law Firm Get a Bigger Settlement?
Our firm consists of experts in Michigan car accident law. We have a deep understanding of what insurance companies look for when paying out claims. Our team of Traverse City car accident lawyers will meet with treating doctors, get witness statements, and hire accident reconstruction experts and medical experts to get the most compensation for our client.
The attorneys in our office regularly meet with our clients. We provide updates and answer our client’s questions during the settlement process. Most importantly, we listen to our clients and get to know them personally. We apply pressure to the insurance companies and know and understand their pain points.
This is how our firm has obtained hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients for decades.
Step-By-Step Guide to Your Traverse City, MI Car Accident Case
If you happen to get involved in a car accident, remember and try to do the following.
1. Call 911 and the Police. It is essential law enforcement comes to the scene to complete a report. If you are injured, you should also get checked by an ENT or go to a local hospital.
2. Exchange Information. Get the names, addresses, numbers, and license plate information for everyone involved in the crash.
3. Take Pictures. Take pictures of the accident scene, including photos of the other vehicles, their license plates, and the other people involved in the collision.
4. Gather Evidence. Besides taking pictures, get the names of any witnesses if possible. Be sure to obtain insurance information from the other drivers involved in the wreck.
5. Consult an Attorney. Contact an experienced Monroe car accident lawyer who can clearly answer your questions. The person you are talking to should be an attorney and be able to explain the complexities of the Michigan no-fault law to you.
What Compensation Do Our Traverse City Car Lawyers Get Our Clients?
Following a car crash, different types of compensation are available to the accident victim and their family. These can be broken down into economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses, such as hospital bills and doctor bills
- Future medical expenses that will be incurred
- Lost wages and future lost income
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs and prescriptions
- Burial and funeral costs
These economic damages are also known as Michigan no-fault benefits or first-party benefits. Under Michigan law, there are specific rules for who is responsible for paying these benefits first. Most of the time, it is not always the at-fault driver or owner. That is why it is essential to call a proven Traverse City car accident lawyer and law firm that can get these payments going as soon as possible.
Non-Economic Damages
In addition to first-party benefits, those injured by a driver’s negligence can receive non-economic damages. This type of damage includes:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression and anxiety
- Loss of society
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and permanent disfigurement
How Do I Get Pain and Suffering After a Traverse City Car Crash?
When you are injured in a car accident, there is physical pain and suffering as well as emotional pain and suffering. This suffering can be in the form of anxiety, depression, or emotional distress.
However, to get compensation for your injuries, the injured party must prove a few things:
Negligence – the person who caused the crash must be at least 50% at-fault for causing the collision. This is called liability. In most cases, liability is not issue. For example, liability is clear if a person is rear-ended by another car or t-boned at an intersection because the other vehicle ran a red light.
Injuries – the person must prove they sustained a physical bodily injury. Mental injuries count too, but an actual physical injury is still required.
Causation – the injured person must prove the injuries were caused by the negligence of the at-fault driver. An aggravation of a pre-existing injury is part of many car accident cases and counts so long as the doctor relates the injury to the crash.
Threshold Injury – This element is unique to Michigan. Under the law, the person injured in the crash must demonstrate a “threshold injury.” This does not mean a person has to have broken bones or a permanent injury. It only requires a general change in the injured person’s life and that the person sustained an objective injury.
The Traverse City car accident attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm can help explain what a threshold injury means. Give our office a call at 231-835-6255 or contact us at any time.
The Most Common Injuries Following a Traverse City Accident
Depending on the speed of the vehicle and other factors, injuries from a car accident can cause catastrophic and life-changing injuries. Even a small sedan driving at a slow rate of speed can deliver a force powerful enough to cause serious personal injuries. Some of the common injuries following a car collision include:
- Broken bones. Broken bones are common car accident injuries and can require physical therapy, surgery, and a long recovery time.
- Spinal cord injury. A severe injury to the spinal cord can cause paralysis, loss of muscle use, and loss of use of extremities.
- Low back pain and lumbar herniation. Injury to the lower back can cause a disc tear between the vertebrae, leading to an impingement of the spinal cord. This can cause numbness and tingling down the hip and legs to the feet.
- Neck pain. Neck injuries can create severe neck stiffness, pain in the shoulders, burning, and numbness in the arms and hands. Treatment of neck pain can be extensive, including physical therapy and a neck fusion.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or closed head injury. Injuries to the head like a concussion can result in life-changing events. Symptoms include cognitive impairment, memory loss, migraine headaches, mood swings, and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Torn ligaments. Tears to the ligaments and tendons can also result in surgery. Examples include a torn ACL, meniscus, Achilles Tendon, or ulnar nerve injury.
- Facial injuries. A broken jaw, broken nose, black eyes, and scarring are common injuries in a bad car accident.
What Questions Should I Ask When Looking to Hire Car Accident Lawyers?
There are questions that you should consider asking a car accident lawyer during your first consultation with a personal injury attorney. Experienced Traverse City car accident attorneys will usually answer most of these questions, but it is still ideal to go prepared.
Questions that should be posed to car accident lawyers include:
- What is your experience handling car accident cases in Traverse City? Ask about the car accident lawyer’s experience, specifically with car accident cases in Traverse City. You want someone familiar with local laws, courts, and procedures.
- What is your track record of success with car accident cases? Ask about the lawyer’s past results, including settlements and verdicts obtained for clients in car accident cases. Learning about an attorney’s record for winning cases can give you an idea of their ability to achieve favorable outcomes.
- Will you personally handle my case, or will it be assigned to another law firm? You want to ensure the law firm you speak with will be directly involved in handling your case.
- What is your fee structure? Understand how the Traverse City car accident lawyer charges for their services, whether on a contingency fee basis (where they only get paid if you win your case) or through hourly rates. Clarify any potential costs or expenses associated with your case.
- How will communication be handled throughout the process? Discuss how often you can expect updates on your personal injury claim and the preferred method of communication (email, phone calls, in-person meetings). Clear communication is essential for a successful attorney-client relationship.
- What is your approach to resolving car accident cases? Learn about the Traverse City car accident lawyer’s strategy for handling car accident cases, including negotiation tactics with insurance companies and willingness to go to trial if necessary.
- Ask for references or testimonials. It is a good idea to read and hear about prior clients’ experiences to gain insight into what it is like to work with the law firm.
The lawyer will also ask you to describe the car accident in detail. Keep in mind that questions about medical treatment and your injuries are also important.
How Much Is a Traverse City Car Accident Worth?
This is a very common question and it is a great question. However, no two cases are the same, so it’s difficult to determine how much your case may be worth without first reviewing all the details.
The value of a car accident case depends on several factors. These include the severity of your injuries, the amount of medical treatment, work loss, medical bills, and the impact the injuries have had on your daily life.
Although the severity of injuries is important, so is the skill of the Traverse City car accident injury lawyer you choose. Five different law firms may get five different settlements for the same case.
The law firm that gets the most money is the firm that insurance carrier knows is aggressive and not afraid to take the case to trial. In addition, the lawyers who prepare their clients, hire the right experts, take all the necessary depositions, and have a history of success will be in a better position to get the best result for you.
Call our office today to find out more information.
Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyers
If your loved one has been killed in a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim in civil court under the Michigan Wrongful Death Act. However, it is always best to consult a knowledgeable Traverse City attorney due to the legal intricacies associated with wrongful death cases. In addition, only certain family members or the personal representative can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the decedent’s estate.
Families of wrongful death victims may be able to recover damages that include:
- Loss of society and companionship
- Loss of emotional and moral support
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of relationship
- Pain and suffering of the deceased before death
- Loss of income and other benefits
Our Traverse City Car Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Fight For You!
When you or a family member has suffered injuries due to a driver’s negligence, it is essential to find the best representation. Let us use our years of experience and expertise to help you.
The attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm will meet and be with you throughout your case. We will fight for the monetary compensation you deserve by law.
Call us for a free consultation at 1-866-696-9146, or fill out a contact form today.