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Car Accident Settlements in Michigan

Injured victims should never agree to (or sign) a car accident settlement offer without first involving a Michigan auto accident attorney, no matter how desperate they may feel after suffering the financial burden of medical bills, wage loss and disabling pain. Auto insurance claims adjusters have the power to settle car accident claims, but it is rare that the adjuster and a Michigan car accident lawyer will agree on the initial car accident settlement offer.  Keep in mind that the claims adjuster works for the insurance company, and of course has their best interest in mind – not the injured victim.

Today, estimating the value of an auto accident case goes far beyond a simple calculation of injury type, medical bills, lost wages, and future expenses.  There is no going rate for a herniated disk or broken arm in Michigan.  When people lose their ability to perform activities of daily living, claims adjusters will usually only want to pay $ 8 to $10 per hour for attendant care services.  It has been our experience that auto accident attorneys can normally win 2 to 4 times that rate, based upon proper documentation of true severity of injuries.  Or claims adjusters may refuse to pay for 24 hour care, paying during waking hours only, which is absurd for clients that require 24 hour supervision to ensure safety and well-being.  Attendant care is compensable and important, and only one example of why not involving an auto accident attorney will drastically cut the value of any Michigan car accident settlement offer.

New settlement software programs are another reason it is essential to involve a good auto accident attorney at the earliest stage. Unfortunately for the auto accident victim, not all attorneys handling car accident injury cases in Michigan recognize how computer settlement programs are being used by the auto insurance industry.  Lawyers who settle auto accident cases for below-average dollar amounts or attorneys who negotiate inadequate car accident settlements on behalf of their clients affect everyone, not just their own clients.  When Michigan lawyers win fair auto insurance settlements, it raises the value of future car accident injury cases for everyone.

One of the best ways for a Michigan auto accident lawyer to raise the value of an auto insurance settlement is to be recognized as a good lawyer.  A lawyer’s reputation increases an insurance company’s exposure and is the easiest way to change the settlement program’s value of an auto injury case.  An experienced personal injury lawyer who has demonstrated his or her ability in trial can increase the value of an underlying car accident injury settlement as much as five-fold in Michigan.  

If you have been asked to sign or release anything, or have received a car accident settlement offer, protect your interests.  Immediately contact an experienced auto accident attorney with a successful track record in winning car accident settlements that exceed original defense offers – and those with a strong reputation for achieving top auto injury jury verdicts in Michigan. Review examples of successful verdicts and settlements or call 800-777-0028 to speak directly with an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer.

     


Contact Lawrence E. Gursten or Steven M. Gursten 1-800-777-0028


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Michigan Auto Law is an AV RATED law firm, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethics. Very few lawyers and law firms in Michigan have been selected with this top rating.

American Association for Justice

Steve Gursten is Chair for the 2008 Interstate Truck Litigation Group for the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Michigan Auto Law has been a long standing member and contributor to the American Association for Justice (AAJ), formerly the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA).

Michigan Super Lawyer



Top 5% of Attorneys in Michigan

Michigan Super Lawyer features only the Top 5% of attorneys in Michigan.

3 Michigan Auto Law attorneys
have been featured as

Michigan Super Lawyer:
Lawrence E. Gursten - 2007, 2006
Leonard M. Koltonow - 2007
David E. Christensen - 2007

Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers


Only 5% of Law Firms in the U.S. Qualify


Only 5% of all U.S. law firms qualify to be included in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, making Michigan Auto Law one of the most distinguished and respected in the country.

Michigan Lawyer of the Year

 

 

 

 

Steven M. Gursten was selected as "Lawyer of the Year" for 2005, by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, the state's largest legal periodical. Steve was selected after winning a $9 million dollar pain and suffering settlement for one of his clients - the largest settlement for pain and suffering in Michigan in over ten years.

Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA)

Robert M. Raitt of Michigan Auto Law is President for the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA) for 2008. The attorneys at Michigan Auto Law are well-respected members of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA), dedicated to helping Michigan families seek justice when they are injured by another person's negligence.

 



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