Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Grand Rapids, Michigan
The firms in this guide
- Michigan Auto Law Call Michigan Auto Law: (800) 968-1001
- Sinas Dramis Law Firm Call Sinas Dramis Law Firm: (616) 301-3333
- Goodman Acker P.C. Call Goodman Acker P.C.: (616) 319-0505
- Buchanan Firm Call Buchanan Firm: (800) 272-4080
- Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC Call Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC: (616) 454-5000
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. Buchanan Firm
Practice Focus: Vehicle accidents, personal injury, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Car accidents and other vehicle accidents, personal injury claims, medical malpractice claims
Legal Services: Car accident injury claims, free guides on mistakes to avoid after a Michigan car accident, contingent-fee representation
Background: Buchanan Firm is a Grand Rapids-area personal injury firm based in Ada whose attorneys include Robert J. Buchanan and John C. Buchanan. The firm describes a local team with more than 85 years of combined experience.
Location: 452 Ada Dr. SE, Suite 300, Ada, MI 49301 (serves Grand Rapids)
Contact: (800) 272-4080 | https://buchananfirm.com/
Consultation: Contingent fee (the client pays only if the firm wins)
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
Government Vehicle Liability, Highway Defect Notice and Wrongful Death Actions for Grand Rapids Car Crashes
A Grand Rapids car crash with a city or county vehicle falls under Michigan’s rule that governmental agencies are liable for their employees’ negligent driving of agency-owned vehicles, and a defective road claim needs written notice within 120 days. Michigan also sets the wrongful death action and makes each defendant’s liability several only.
A Government-Owned Vehicle
Under MCL 691.1405, governmental agencies are liable for bodily injury and property damage resulting from the negligent operation by an officer, agent or employee of a motor vehicle the agency owns.
A Defective Highway
Under MCL 691.1404(1), an injured person must serve notice on the governmental agency within 120 days after the injury, specifying the exact location and nature of the defect, the injury sustained and known witnesses; under (3), a person under 18 at the time of injury has 180 days.
A Wrongful Death Action
Under MCL 600.2922(1) through (3), the personal representative brings the action, and those who may recover are the deceased’s spouse, children, descendants, parents, grandparents and siblings, or if none survive, the heirs under intestate succession, along with the spouse’s children and devisees under the will.
Several Liability
Under MCL 600.2956, except as provided in 600.6304, the liability of each defendant for damages is several only and not joint, and an employer’s vicarious liability for its employee is not abolished.
Grand Rapids Car Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue after a Grand Rapids car crash?
Three years after the death or injury under MCL 600.5805(2), and a defective highway claim also needs notice within 120 days under 691.1404.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if you are not more than 50 percent at fault in a no-fault action. For example, imagine $95,000 in damages and 20 percent of the fault on the injured driver: under MCL 500.3135(2)(b) and 600.2959 the recovery would be $76,000.
Do I need a serious injury to recover pain and suffering?
Yes. Under MCL 500.3135(1), noneconomic damages from a motor vehicle crash require death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.