Personal Injury
Personal Injury
PERSONAL INJURY: No Fee Pledge
- No Fee for consultation
- No Fee up front
- No Fee to build your case
- NO FEE UNLESS YOU COLLECT MONEY
GWJ has extensive personal injury experience in motor vehicle crashes involving automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles. Michigan is a No-Fault state and most of these cases involve the complex No-Fault Insurance Act. Persons involved may be able to receive economic benefits in the form of payment of medical expenses, lost wages, household assistance, attendant care, and mileage reimbursement for travel to medical providers. Injured victims may also be able to recover money damages for non-economic loss such as pain and suffering from persons who caused the crash.
The firm also represents clients in many other areas resulting in personal injury or wrongful death. These include pedestrian incidents, premises liability claims, trip/slip and falls, dog attacks, and boating incidents.
In representing victims of personal injury and wrongful death, we guide clients through an often complicated web of insurance issues, laws, regulations, and court rules to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. And our No Fee Pledge simply means that you do not have to pay legal fees unless you recover money on your case.
Automobile CRASHES
GWJ represents victims of automobile crashes and guides them through the complicated maze of Michigan’s unique No-Fault system. Injured persons may claim so-called “economic” benefits through personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, household services, attendant care, and transportation expenses for medical care. Claims for these benefits may be made whether or not another person caused the crash.
Also, if you sustained a serious injury which was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a so-called “non-economic” claim for damages such as pain and suffering against any individual, company, or insurance carrier involved.
Please note that special rules exist under No-Fault law for automobile crashes involving motorcycles, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians. We can assist you with these claims as well.
Motorcycle CRASHES
Victims of motorcycle crashes often sustain severe injuries depending on the nature of the crash and whether it involves other motor vehicles. Under Michigan’s unique No-Fault law, motorcycle crashes are not considered a “motor vehicle accident” unless another motor vehicle is involved in the collision. In other words, single motorcycle crashes do not invoke the same No-Fault rules as those involving a motorcycle and car or truck.
Persons injured in motorcycle crashes may, under certain circumstances, be able to recover “economic” PIP benefits under No-Fault. They may also have a “noneconomic” claim against anyone who caused the collision and their injuries.
TRUCK CRASHES
Crashes involving trucks can cause very serious injuries for which you may be able to receive compensation. Many state and federal laws and regulations apply to truck cases, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act. Accident reconstruction experts and others are often necessary due to the complicated nature of these cases.
Truck cases may also involve the No-Fault Act and injured persons may be able to claim both economic (PIP) benefits and non-economic recovery of money damages from the persons, companies, and insurance carriers involved.
Pedestrian Crashes
Pedestrians are often injured as a result of contact with various types of motor vehicles. A pedestrian who is struck by a motor vehicle may have two potential claims for damages. He or she may have an “economic” claim for PIP benefits for payment of medical expenses, lost wages, household services, attendant care, and transportation expenses for medical treatment.
In addition, if the pedestrian was seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence, they have a right to bring a “non-economic” claim for damages such as pain and suffering against responsible individuals, companies, or insurance carriers.
Bicycle CRASHES
Bicyclists frequently sustain severe injuries when involved in crashes with motor vehicles. An injured bicyclist may have two claims as a result of this collision. One is an “economic” claim for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits which may include payment of medical costs, wage losses, household assistance, attendant care, and transportation costs to medical providers.
The second potential claim is for “noneconomic” damages such as pain and suffering against the individual, company, or insurance carrier responsible for these injuries.
Trip OR SLIP and Fall
People often suffer injuries by tripping or slipping and falling due to the negligence of others. This may be due to defective premises, slippery substances, or objects that cause harm. Serious injuries may result and these cases require careful investigation and analysis to determine if monetary recovery is possible under the circumstances. Claims may be made against municipalities, homeowners, building owners, property owners, landlords, or even contractors, depending on the location and control of the area where the injury occurred.
Dog Bite
Dog attacks and bites have become more frequent as dog ownership increases and people take their dogs with them to more places. Dog bites can result in painful injuries that leave permanent, visible scarring. In general, dog owners are liable to victims for the bites caused by their dogs, unless the victim provoked the dog or is a trespasser. We can assist you in making a claim to the right individual or insurance company responsible.
Premises Liability
People are frequently injured because a property owner failed to properly maintain their premises. Serious injuries may occur from poor construction, repair, or maintenance of rental units, stores, and buildings. Various building codes, regulations, and laws may apply to determine negligence of owners and others responsible for these conditions. These claims may involve municipalities, homeowners, building owners, landlords, and contractors.
DON’T WAIT
If you have been seriously injured, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Photos of the scene of the incident should be taken before it is changed and evidence is lost. Witnesses should also be interviewed while their memories are fresh. Physical evidence may need to be preserved for future claims and proceedings.
In addition, there are notice provisions in insurance policies and many statutes involving personal injury claims. These notice provisions often have very short time periods for filing and contain very specific written requirements. Failure to file your proper claim in a timely manner may prevent you from making an otherwise valid personal injury claim.
Lastly, the statutes of limitations for personal injury claims vary depending upon the type of claim made. For example, No-Fault, first-party (economic) claims have a shorter statute of limitations than third-party (noneconomic) claims and general negligence claims. Consult an attorney as soon as possible to avoid the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for your case.
