1. Michigan Auto Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber and Lyft), wrongful death, brain injury, catastrophic injury, no-fault insurance claims
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, speeding accidents, weather-related accidents, intersection accidents
Legal Services: No-fault insurance benefit claims, pain and suffering claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, medical expense recovery, wrongful death claims, total loss car claims
Background: Michigan Auto Law is the only law firm in Michigan that is 100% specialized in auto accidents. The firm has more million-dollar auto accident results than any other law firm in Michigan. Steven M. Gursten is the lead attorney. The firm has recovered the largest reported car accident and truck accident settlements of any Michigan lawyer or law firm. They have achieved 11 separate trial verdicts ranging from $1 million to $14.3 million on insurance company offers of $0 to $30,000. The firm has over 2,500 five-star reviews and has been named to Best Law Firms in America and Best Lawyers in America. The Grand Rapids office is located at 212 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW. The firm has been practicing for over 50 years.
Location: 212 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Suite 105, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Contact: (800) 968-1001 | https://www.michiganautolaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee basis, no fee unless they win
2. Sinas Dramis Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, no-fault insurance claims, personal injury, construction site injuries, nursing home abuse and neglect, gas fires and explosions, defective roadway cases
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, weather-related accidents, pedestrian accidents
Legal Services: No-fault insurance benefit claims, pain and suffering claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, wage loss recovery, wrongful death claims, survivor’s loss benefits claims
Background: Founded in 1951 in Lansing with expansion to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Metro Detroit, and Ann Arbor. Tom Sinas is the Grand Rapids partner and car accident attorney. Brian Lawson has practiced law in West Michigan for 30 years, including partnership at Drew, Cooper, and Anding and Rhoades McKee. The firm’s attorneys are considered authorities on Michigan’s no-fault law and regularly teach other lawyers and speak at legal seminars. The firm has successfully litigated cases in the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court. Over 70 years of experience representing auto accident victims in Michigan.
Location: 4 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Contact: (616) 301-3333 | https://sinasdramis.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available, contingency fee basis
3. Goodman Acker P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, personal injury, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, premises liability, product liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, 15-car pileup accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, intersection accidents, pedestrian accidents
Legal Services: No-fault insurance benefit claims, pain and suffering claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, medical expense recovery, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has built relationships and developed extensive resources to handle types of personal injury cases other attorneys cannot handle. They know the tactics insurance companies may use to minimize or avoid payouts. Featured regularly on FOX 17 and other news outlets as a trusted name in the community. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients and offers 24/7 availability for client emergencies. The firm has an established reputation in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan.
Location: 535 Cascade West Pkwy SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Contact: (616) 319-0505 | https://www.goodmanacker.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available, contingency fee basis
4. John D. Tallman, PLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, construction site accidents, defective products, nursing home abuse and neglect, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, intersection accidents, highway accidents on I-96, I-196, and U.S. 131
Legal Services: No-fault insurance benefit claims, pain and suffering claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, medical expense recovery, wrongful death claims
Background: John D. Tallman is a Grand Rapids native who has been serving personal injury clients throughout West Michigan for almost 40 years. He has handled a wide variety of cases involving car, truck, and motorcycle crashes, construction site accidents, and defective products. The firm has achieved results for clients through both settlements and trials. They bring a personal approach to their work with each client and are committed to seeing cases through from beginning to end. The firm serves clients throughout Western Michigan including Muskegon, Traverse City, Holland, Grand Haven, Kalamazoo, and surrounding areas.
Location: 2964 Lucerne Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Contact: (616) 256-6974 | https://www.injurylawgrandrapids.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis, no compensation unless successful outcome
5. Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, rollover accidents, intersection accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, speeding accidents, reckless driving accidents, weather-related accidents
Legal Services: No-fault insurance benefit claims, pain and suffering claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, medical expense recovery, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has a 40-year track record of helping injured Michiganders navigate personal injury claims to successful outcomes and substantial settlements. They have achieved many 6- and 7-figure settlements for injured clients. The firm uses every tool at their disposal to maximize each client’s settlement, whether through negotiations with insurance companies or litigation. They understand the unique challenges faced by car crash injury victims and provide personalized, client-focused services. The firm handles the complexity of the claims process so clients can focus on recovery.
Location: 801 Broadway Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Contact: (616) 454-5000 | https://www.cmtjustice.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Michigan
Statute of Limitations: Michigan has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents under MCL 600.5805(2). The deadline begins on the date of the accident. For no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, a one-year statute of limitations applies under MCL 500.3145. You must notify your insurance company within one year of the crash or you may lose the right to claim benefits. If written notice has been given within one year, you may file a lawsuit within one year after the most recent allowable expense was incurred.
No-Fault Insurance System: Michigan operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning your own insurance company is responsible for covering certain expenses regardless of who was at fault. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits cover medical expenses, wage loss benefits (up to 85% of gross income), replacement services, and survivor’s loss benefits. You must first turn to your own insurance coverage before pursuing claims against an at-fault driver.
Threshold for Lawsuits: To sue an at-fault driver for pain and suffering damages in Michigan, you must show that your injuries meet the state’s serious impairment of body function threshold, which means an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function that affects your general ability to lead your normal life.
Comparative Negligence: Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you are barred from recovering any compensation for pain and suffering, and are limited to payment for out-of-pocket economic losses only. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Michigan requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of 50/100/10, meaning $50,000 for injury or death per person, $100,000 for injury or death per accident, and $10,000 for property damage. Drivers must also carry PIP coverage (though they may choose reduced coverage or opt out under certain conditions since the 2019 reform), and residual liability insurance of at least $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident.
Property Damage Claims: For property damage claims (vehicle repairs), you may pursue a claim against the at-fault driver, but any claim against the other party directly cannot exceed $3,000 under Michigan law.
Damage Caps: Michigan does not cap economic damages in personal injury lawsuits. However, there is a cap of $569,000 on non-economic damages in medical malpractice and product liability cases (adjusted for inflation). In cases involving catastrophic injuries like paralysis, brain injury, or permanent loss of a vital bodily function, the cap increases to $1,016,000.
Dog Owner Strict Liability: Under MCL 287.351(1), dog owners in Michigan are strictly liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog had a history of biting or dangerous behavior, unless the victim was trespassing or provoking the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Michigan’s no-fault insurance system work after a car accident?
Michigan’s no-fault insurance system requires you to turn first to your own auto insurance company for coverage of medical expenses, wage loss benefits, and other losses regardless of who caused the accident. This coverage is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). You must notify your insurance company within one year of the accident to preserve your right to benefits. If your injuries are serious enough to meet Michigan’s threshold of serious impairment of body function, you may also file a separate lawsuit against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering damages.
What is the deadline to file a car accident claim in Michigan?
Michigan has two separate deadlines you need to know. For no-fault PIP benefits like medical bills and wage loss, you have one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for unpaid benefits. For pain and suffering claims against the at-fault driver, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing either deadline typically means losing your right to recover compensation.
Can I sue the at-fault driver if I was partially responsible for the accident?
You can sue the at-fault driver if you were 50% or less at fault for the accident, but your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you are completely barred from recovering pain and suffering damages and are limited only to your out-of-pocket economic losses. This makes establishing fault particularly important in Michigan car accident cases.
What compensation can I recover after a car accident in Grand Rapids?
From your own no-fault insurance, you can recover medical expenses, wage loss benefits (up to 85% of your gross income), replacement services for household tasks you can no longer perform, and survivor’s loss benefits. If your injuries meet the serious impairment threshold, you may also sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages. Economic damages have no cap in car accident cases, though you cannot recover duplicate damages already covered by your PIP benefits.
Do I need a lawyer for my car accident case in Michigan?
While not legally required, hiring an experienced Michigan car accident attorney is strongly recommended due to the complexity of Michigan’s no-fault insurance system. Many people are unaware of the strict one-year deadline for filing PIP benefit claims or the requirements to preserve their right to sue the at-fault driver. An attorney can navigate both the no-fault claim with your insurance company and any lawsuit against the negligent driver, ensuring you meet all deadlines and receive maximum compensation.