Car accidents, slip and fall cases, medical malpractice, motorcycle crashes, and numerous other personal injuries are serious business and need to be handled accordingly. If you are the victim of a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, it’s imperative you don’t hesitate to take legal action.
The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., knows personal injury law. Our accomplished team of super lawyers has over forty years of experience and works every day to help our clients recover and lead fulfilling lives.
Kalamazoo Car Accident Lawyers
The dedicated and experienced team of Kalamazoo personal injury lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm specialize in car accidents. For over 50 years, our dedicated team of Kalamazoo car accident lawyers has obtained millions for clients injured due to another driver’s negligence.
How Do I Get Compensation After a Kalamazoo Car Accident?
There are two types of compensation for injuries from a car accident. The first is called “economic damages” and comprises no-fault or first-party PIP benefits, as explained below.
The other type of compensation is “non-economic” damages. These are harms and losses that cannot be easily quantified. They include physical pain and suffering, emotional pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, loss of society, and loss of consortium.
Because Michigan is a no-fault state, getting compensation after a car accident is not so simple. Usually, two different insurance carriers are involved. One insurance company pays no-fault benefits, while another pays the pain and suffering.
A knowledgeable and experienced Kalamazoo car accident lawyer can make sure you get everything you deserve and quickly get your life back on track.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer After a Kalamazoo Car Accident?
Most of the time, a car accident in Kalamazoo only involves minor damage and no injuries. However, if the crash is serious and an injury occurs, a good Kalamazoo car accident lawyer is a good person to turn to make sure you do not get taken advantage of by the insurance company.
Insurance companies try to exploit individuals who are not experts and may not understand the claims process. They often try to lowball a person to get them to settle cheaply 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 often gets pennies on the dollar.
It is essential to consult with a great Kalamazoo car accident lawyer who knows the tricks of the trade and how car insurance companies act. As importantly, you need a Michigan auto accident law firm that consistently keeps you updated on your case and has a history of obtaining large dollar settlements for clients.
Kalamazoo County Crash Statistics
According to a 2023 report issued by the Michigan State Police, there were 7,219 crashes involving a car, truck, motorcycle or bus in Kalamazoo County. These crashes resulted in 1,736 injuries and 44 fatalities. Alcohol played a role in 238 of these crashes. 54 pedestrians were injured due to motor vehicle crashes.
Dangerous Roadways in Kalamazoo
There are numerous hazardous intersections in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Some of the most dangerous include:
- Howard St. and Stadium Dr.
- S. Drake Rd. and Stadium Dr.
- N. Drake Rd. and W. Main Street
- I94 at Sprinkle Rd.
- I94 and US131 interchange
Compensation comes in several different forms under Michigan’s no-fault law. One insurance carrier pays medical bills, lost wages, co-pays, prescriptions, and other benefits. This is called a first-party case. Meanwhile, the insurance company for the at-fault driver is responsible for paying pain and suffering emotional distress resulting from a car accident.
Kalamazoo Auto Accidents – Real Life Cases
A car accident can turn your life upside down in seconds. While some auto accident injuries may only require a few days of medical treatment, other crashes are life-threatening and result in permanent injuries and disability. In these situations, having a Kalamazoo auto accident attorney help you navigate the complicated claims process can be extremely helpful while you focus on your recovery.
For example, one of our clients was seriously injured when another driver t-boned him in Kalamazoo. Our client was traveling westbound on Kalamazoo Ave. when the defendant driver ran the stop sign at the intersection with Woodward Ave., causing a collision.
The defendant driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Our client suffered serious injuries, including a broken tailbone, back injuries, bruising, and flashbacks of the accident. He was unable to work, required surgery, and needed physical therapy. While he was able to focus on his recovery, our firm handled his auto claim from beginning to end. This included obtaining wage loss, attendant care, and household replacement services for our client, who could not independently work or care for himself. We also received a significant settlement for his pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been injured and need a car accident lawyer in Kalamazoo, MI, contact the Lee Steinberg Law Firm. We fight aggressively to win your case and get you the money compensation you are owed.
Kalamazoo Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been involved in a semi-truck accident, you need the help of experienced semi-truck accident lawyers. Our firm’s Kalamazoo personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping those who have suffered injuries from these complicated accidents find justice and peace of mind. We understand how devastating it can be for victims and their families when they experience the physical, mental, and financial aftermath of a semi-truck accident.
Our legal team is available to handle all aspects of your case. From investigating the accident scene, taking necessary depositions, hiring experts, and negotiating an appropriate settlement with insurance companies, we will work hard to ensure your rights as a victim are protected.
Kalamazoo Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries and even death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to understand your legal rights and options. A qualified personal injury lawyer can help assess your case and determine whether you have grounds for a lawsuit to seek damages from the liable party.
An experienced attorney will ensure that all of your medical bills and any lost wages for missed work are covered. They can also fight for compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or other losses associated with the incident. Don’t hesitate to contact an experienced lawyer if you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident. We can ensure that you receive justice and put the pieces back together.
Who Pays My Medical Bills After A Motorcycle Accident?
It depends on whether a motor vehicle, like a car or truck, was involved in the crash. If a car or truck was not involved in the accident, your health insurance is primarily responsible for the injuries. If you purchase medical payment coverage, your bike insurance will pay medical bills based on this coverage.
If a car was involved in the accident, then the auto insurance carrier for the owner or driver of the vehicle is responsible for paying your medical bills. This is true even if you caused the crash! If the owner or driver does not have car insurance, your auto insurance carrier is responsible for paying bills and no-fault benefits.
If you don’t have insurance, you must file an application with the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan. This organization, run by the auto insurance industry, pays up to $250,000 in medical expenses.
How Many Motorcycle Accidents are there in Michigan?
Every year is a bit different, but in 2023, there were 3,056 motorcycle crashes in Michigan, resulting in 2,617 injuries and 176 fatalities. In Kalamazoo County, there were 99 motorcycle crashes, resulting in 82 injuries and 6 fatalities. The number of motorcycle accidents has not varied much over the past decade.
Kalamazoo Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
The aftermath of a dog bite can be difficult and painful for victims and their families. Dog attacks can cause physical injuries requiring medical attention as well as emotional trauma. On top of that, victims may also find themselves struggling with scarring and financial burdens associated with the attack, such as hospital bills and lost wages from missing work.
It is important for victims to understand that they have legal options when it comes to seeking compensation from those responsible for the attack. An experienced dog bite injury lawyer can help victims seek damages to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to the incident, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.
What is the Michigan Dog Bite Law?
Michigan has a dog bite statute. It is found under MCL 287.351. It says that a dog owner is liable for any injuries a person sustains from a dog bite attack, so long as the victim did not provoke the attack and was not trespassing. Insurance carriers will often try to argue the victim provoked the dog. Although provocation is not defined in the Michigan Dog Bite statute, provocation is not petting a dog or getting too close to it.
It is important that victims understand that every dog bite attack is different. That is why it is essential to consult a knowledgeable Kalamazoo dog bite attorney who can explain the legal process and help win your case.
Kalamazoo Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers
Slip-and-fall accidents occur for many different reasons. Sometimes, they are not the property owner’s fault. But if the property owner, landlord, building owner, or management company failed to remove an unreasonably dangerous condition, then that person or company may be liable for injuries that happen.
The Kalamazoo personal injury lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm have handled these cases for almost 50 years. While many other law firms shy away from these cases, we take great pride in ensuring the reasonably safe condition of stores, shopping malls, restaurants, apartments, and houses.
What are Common Reasons for Slip and Fall Accidents?
Some of the more common cases we work on that involve a slip and fall accident tend to involve some piece of a store or building that was ignored. For example, common reasons include:
- Snow or ice that was never removed or salted
- Broken handrails or porch steps
- Broken staircases that were never repaired
- Leaking gutters or roofs
- Leaking freezers or refrigerators that create a water puddle
- Crumbling cement potholes that make it extremely dangerous to walk on
Who Can I Sue in a Slip and Fall Case in Kalamazoo?
The correct defendants in a slip and fall case depend on the situation. Suppose a landlord failed to keep the premises in reasonable repair. In that case, the landlord and the property maintenance company can be held responsible. The shopping center or strip mall owner may be accountable if a grocery store fails to keep its parking lot clear of snow and ice.
Sometimes, homeowners can be held liable for a personal injury on their property. That is why it is important to maintain homeowners’ insurance if you own a home or renter’s insurance if you are a tenant.
Kalamazoo Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Doctors, nurses, and hospitals are supposed to protect you and solve your medical problems. But even skilled, experienced healthcare professionals sometimes make avoidable mistakes that cause horrible injuries. These injuries can be life-changing, permanent, or even result in wrongful death.
When you’re injured due to medical malpractice at Bronson Hospital, Borgess Hospital, or a doctor’s office, you may be suffering from pain, physical disability, limited mobility, stress, and expensive medical bills. Your home and work life could be disrupted forever. Contact an experienced Kalamazoo medical malpractice lawyer to start a medical malpractice claim for the protection you need.
What are Examples of Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a patient sustains an injury due to an improper action or failure to act by a member of the medical profession. When a doctor fails to meet the standard of care for the profession, that doctor can be held civilly responsible for the injuries that are caused.
There are multiple examples of medical malpractice. Some of the most common examples include:
- Missed diagnosis or delayed diagnosis;
- Surgical errors;
- Childbirth injuries – oxygen deprivation, shoulder dystocia, brachial plexus injuries;
- Cerebral palsy;
- Anesthesia errors;
- Medication mistakes.
Although there are exceptions, the statute of limitations for a Kalamazoo medical malpractice case is two years. This means the malpractice victim has two years from the date of the malpractice to file a lawsuit against the correct defendants. If the victim fails to do this, they forever lose their right to recover compensation for their injuries.
Kalamazoo Wrongful Death Lawyers
When one person’s negligence leads to another person’s death, it may be a wrongful death case. In Kalamazoo, these cases involve a wide variety of situations like car crashes, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, drunk driving, product liability, motorcycle accidents, fires, explosions, and job-related deaths.
You should know that a wrongful death claim is a special type of claim that involves very specific duties and deadlines. This is why it is so important to have the assistance of an experienced Kalamazoo wrongful death lawyer who has a thorough knowledge of these claims.
Kalamazoo Personal Injury Lawyers Fighting and Winning For You
For over the past 50 years, The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has helped thousands of people whose lives have been affected by Michigan car and truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice cases, slip-and-fall accidents, and other personal injuries. We have recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts. The experience we bring to each case allows us to assist our clients with the highest level of expertise.
With the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., you do not pay a fee until we win your case – if we do not win, you walk away owing us nothing.
Call us today at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or fill out the free consultation form listed above so we can start on your personal injury case.