Kalamazoo Car Accident Lawyers

When You Need a Car Accident Lawyer Near You in Kalamazoo, Call Us For a FREE Consultation

Since the car accident, your life has been different. Someone’s carelessness messed up your world. You want to stop hurting, quit agonizing over how to pay your bills, and end the crushing stress. You need a top Kalamazoo, Michigan car accident lawyer to protect your rights and get you the money you deserve. 

With offices in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph, we provide our legal services to car accident victims throughout Western Michigan. Our service area includes:

• Kalamazoo County
• Berrien County
• Van Buren County
• Cass County
• Surrounding Counties

Our Kalamazoo Car Accident Attorneys Are Rated Among the Best in Michigan

At Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers, we fight for the rights of clients in cases involving car accident injuries and wrongful death claims. With decades of combined legal experience, our Kalamazoo attorneys provide the knowledge, skills, and resources you need right now. Our work has resulted in millions of dollars in settlements and trial verdicts for our clients. 

We have attorneys who have passed the rigorous criteria to be named among the top in their field by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers. Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers was ranked in 2021 and 2022 as a Tier 1 Plaintiffs Personal Injury Firm in the Kalamazoo (Southwest Michigan) Region by Best Lawyers and U.S. News. Barry Conybeare was named by Best Lawyers as the Lawyer of the Year in Personal Injury for the Kalamazoo region in 2013, 2017, and 2021. Most importantly, our lawyers will treat you with the dignity, compassion, and the care you need to get through this difficult time.

You Need a Kalamazoo Car Accident Lawyer Who Understands What You Are Facing

Every state has different laws when it comes to car accidents and personal injury claims. Michigan is one of the few “no-fault states” for car accidents. In most cases, this means your insurance will pay for medical bills, property damage, and other losses up to a point, regardless of who was at fault for the crash. 

Most out-of-state lawyers are not licensed to practice in Michigan, so they often are unaware of Michigan’s unique no-fault law. That lack of knowledge can negatively impact your rights. You could lose out on some benefits or entire legal claims. Knowledge and experience matter. If you live here or were injured in a crash on a Michigan road, you deserve a lawyer who understands how to get the best results for your case.

With Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers, You Are in Good Hands

Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers’ skill and experience in car injury law are second-to-none in Southwest Michigan. We are familiar with the roads you were driving on and the police agencies that responded and investigated your accident. We also understand when your injuries and pain and suffering go beyond what Michigan’s no-fault insurance benefits cover. We know how to fight and hold the at-fault driver accountable, so you get full justice.

Every year, hundreds of people are involved in car accidents on Michigan highways and roads. According to the Michigan State Police, there were 6,933 collisions in Kalamazoo County in 2020, 1,194 of which resulted in injury and 21 of which were fatal. Common reasons for these accidents include: 

• Speeding: Statewide in 2020, speeding caused 5,469 accidents that resulted in injury and 190 fatal crashes. 
• Driving Under the Influence: In Kalamazoo County, there were 272 alcohol-related accidents in 2020. Of those, 111 caused injury, and 12 were fatal.
• Distracted Driving: In 2020, there were 404,286 crashes across Michigan that involved driver distraction. The top source of distraction was smartphone use: of 1,809 accidents, 499 involved injuries, and nine were fatal.
• Failure to Yield Right of Way: There were 34,404 Michigan accidents involving failure to yield in 2020; 9,302 caused injury and 105 were fatal.
• Reckless Driving: This includes tailgating, disregarding traffic control signals or signs, swerving into and out of traffic, or making improper turns. In 2020, 13,006 accidents were caused by careless and reckless driving actions, 3,561 of which caused injury and 98 of which were fatal.

Regardless of the circumstances behind your accident, you deserve a legal advocate who knows how to assign value to your claim

How Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Act Impacts Your Claim

In most states, when a person is hit by another driver, the person recovers their medical bills and wage loss from the at-fault driver’s insurance. Michigan is different in that it has a no-fault insurance system, meaning that a person can file for compensation whether or not they were at fault in the crash. 

To obtain no-fault benefits, a person must submit an application for no-fault benefits to the correct insurance company. Michigan has special rules for determining which insurance company is responsible for paying your medical bills and other losses. Failure to submit an application to the right insurance company can prevent a person from receiving the no-fault benefits they need. A Michigan car accident attorney at our firm can save you time and stress by helping you file the application with the right insurance company.

The Michigan no-fault law also impacts the money a person can recover from the at-fault driver and their insurance company. Our attorneys understand how to maximize that recovery.  For more information on common issues and insurance tactics in Michigan car accidents, check out our blog. Information is power. Put yourself in control.  

What You Should Do After a Car Accident

When you’ve been in a collision, your main concern should be your well-being. If you have visible injuries, don’t move: instead, use your phone to call 911. If you think you can move safely, do so and get a safe distance away from the accident scene. While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, take the following steps:

• Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver or drivers. Keep all conversation limited to this information exchange: don’t make comments like “I’m so sorry, I just got off a long shift” or “I was in a hurry and didn’t see you.” These statements could be used against you later.
• Take photos of the damaged vehicles and accident scenes. Pay special attention to tire marks on the pavement and anything that may have contributed to the accident, such as a sign obscured by foliage.
• Get the names and contact information of any witnesses who can support your version of what happened.

When the police arrive, they will investigate and create a report. Be sure to request a copy: you’ll need it for your personal injury claim.

If you don’t have to go to the hospital in an ambulance, go to the emergency room or see your doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt. Some serious injuries don’t always show symptoms immediately after the accident. Once you’ve received medical confirmation that you’ve been injured, reach out to the Michigan car accident attorneys at Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers right away. We can deal with the insurance company on your behalf, help ensure that you get the medical care you need, and protect your rights as you seek fair compensation for your losses.

What Are Typical Car Accident Settlements?

Every case is different, so there are no typical car settlement amounts. Your Kalamazoo, MI car accident attorney will look at your current and reasonably anticipated losses to determine how much compensation is appropriate for your case.

There are many factors that determine the amount of a car accident settlement.  One of the foremost is how serious and/or permanent your injuries may be. Generally speaking, cases involving traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or paralysis will settle for higher amounts than broken bones or whiplash. 

Other factors include: 

• Length and extent of your medical treatment
• Lost wages during your recovery period
• Whether your injuries affect your ability to work in the future
• The extent of your pain and suffering

See the Michigan car accident settlements section below for some examples of settlements we’ve gotten for clients.

What if I Was Partly At Fault for My Car Accident?

While a few states deny compensation to those who are partly at fault for their car accident, Michigan is not one of them. Instead, this state follows the principle of comparative negligence, which reduces your compensation in accordance with your assigned share of fault. 

It is important to note that this rule affects economic damages (e.g. medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering) differently. If you are over 50% at fault, you can still claim economic damages, but not noneconomic ones.

For example, if you are seriously injured in a car crash in Michigan and your losses are valued at $50,000 but an investigation determines that you were 53% at fault for texting and driving, you would only receive 47% of your damages, or $23,500. You would not be able to claim pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of enjoyment of life. This is why it’s critical to work with a Kalamazoo car accident lawyer who can help prevent the insurance company from pinning too much blame on you and minimizing the compensation you deserve.

Why should I hire a car accident lawyer for a Kalamazoo crash over an out-of-state lawyer?

One of the biggest benefits of utilizing an experienced car accident lawyer, like those at Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers, is that you have someone on your side who understands the details of Michigan car accident law. Every state has different laws when it comes to car accidents and personal injury claims, and Michigan is one of the few “no-fault states” for car accidents. This means that a victim’s own insurance will pay for medical bills, property damage, and other losses up to a point, regardless of who was at fault for the crash. However, under many circumstances, Michigan law provides that the victim in the accident can seek additional money for pain and suffering and other financial harms. Similarly, money for loss of financial support, love, and companionship can be pursued when a family member dies in a car accident.

There are also specific time limits in which to file a claim in Michigan, known as statutes of limitation. Under Michigan law, the time limit to file a claim against the at-fault driver is three years from the date of the accident. The time limit to submit a claim for no-fault benefits to your insurance company is one year, but there are other time limits that apply. Out-of-state lawyers often don’t know the Michigan no-fault time limits. This can have serious negative effects on your rights. Failure to file a claim within the statute of limitations will result in your case being thrown out of court and you being barred from collecting any money for your injuries. 

Michigan’s laws are different from those of other states. You wouldn’t hire a hand surgeon to do your heart surgery. Expertise matters. If you were in a Michigan crash, or you are a Michigan resident, you deserve a lawyer who knows Michigan law. Don’t settle for less.

Why Should I Hire Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers?

Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers has a reputation for being one of the best car accident law firms in West Michigan. Our attorneys have faced insurance adjusters who will try to reduce the value of your claim. We work with local doctors, expert witnesses, law enforcement, judges, and defense lawyers, who will be involved in your case. Not only are we located close by to handle your needs, but we also know what and who you’re up against and how to help you.

Our car accident attorneys also take a big-picture view of your case. We have social security disability, worker’s compensation, medical malpractice, personal injury, and wrongful death legal specialists on staff to advise you. We can tell you whether you have a case, what compensation you can expect, and how to get it. You may have legal claims you don’t even know about, so speak to a Kalamazoo personal injury lawyer at our firm if you have questions.

Car Accident Settlements

Below are examples of car accident settlements we’ve gotten for our clients in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Berrien, Van Buren, Cass Counties and surrounding areas.

Call For a FREE Consultation With One Of Michigan’s Best Car Accident Lawyers

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car crash, don’t wait until insurance companies unfairly block you from getting your full compensation. Get a free, no-obligation consultation from a Kalamazoo car accident lawyer who will treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve. Our service areas include Kalamazoo, Portage, Battle Creek, Berrien, Van Buren, Cass Counties, and surrounding areas. Call The Bear today at 269-769-BEAR or fill out this contact form. 

Don’t miss out on the full justice you deserve. Remember, if it’s not fair, call the bear!

Related:

Kalamazoo Personal Injury Lawyer

Kalamazoo, Michigan Distracted Driving Lawyers