A car accident can change your life and the lives of your loved ones in an instant. Most drivers know that driving a vehicle is inherently dangerous, but it’s hard to comprehend until it happens to you. We see the consequences of these accidents every day. Difficulty paying medical bills, losing the ability to provide for yourself and family, the loss of joy from everyday life, uncontrollable anxiety, and stress are just some of the things that you will be dealing with from the aftermath of a vehicle accident.
Our Lansing personal injury lawyers have dedicated their lives to assisting victims in Michigan who have suffered serious injuries or even killed as a result of the negligence of other drivers. David M. Clark and Matthew R. Clark have over 40 years’ combined experience litigating on behalf of their clients and fighting large insurance companies to ensure that you receive the financial compensation that you deserve. Our car accident lawyers are committed to providing personalized attention, understanding the complexities of Michigan’s auto laws, and have a strong track record of successful settlements. We serve car accident victims throughout all of Michigan – explore our Michigan car accident lawyer page to see how we can help you win your case.
Unlike many other firms that claim to practice often in Lansing, this has been the heart of our practice for well over 30 years. We know the judges, we know the police officers, we know the other attorneys you will be facing, and most importantly we know how the local insurance companies operate.
Why Choose The Clark Law Office for Your Lansing Car Accident Claim?
Choosing the right attorney for your car accident is crucial to getting the maximum compensation. We understand what you’re going through and we can help you. Here are a few of the reasons why you should choose us:
- Decades of Local Experience – We have been serving Lansing and the surrounding areas for over 30 years, giving us deep knowledge of local courts, insurance companies, and legal procedures.
- Proven Track Record – Our attorneys have recovered millions for injured victims, including multiple high-value settlements and verdicts locally in the Greater Lansing Area
- Personalized Legal Representation – Unlike larger firms, we provide direct access to experienced attorneys who handle your case personally.
- No Fees Unless You Win – We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we secure a settlement or verdict for you.
- Aggressive Negotiation and Litigation – We are not afraid to take cases to trial if necessary to ensure you receive full compensation.
- Comprehensive Legal Support – From handling insurance negotiations to gathering evidence and expert testimonies, we take care of every aspect of your case.
- Dedicated Legal Team – Our dedicated legal team is committed to representing you throughout the entire process, negotiating favorable settlements, handling interactions with insurance companies, and advocating for your rights.
Types of Lansing Car Accident Cases We Handle
Our law firm handles all types of vehicle accident cases in the Lansing area. Some examples include car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and truck accidents. Some areas that we specialize in include:
- Rear End Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- Intersection Accidents
- Distracted Driving
- Drunk Driving Crashes
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Whiplash Injuries
- Broken Bones and Fractures
- Wrongful Death
- Passengers
- Uber/Lyft
We also have extensive experience in handling Lansing auto accident cases, helping victims recover medical expenses, determine fault, and secure insurance settlements.
Essential Steps to Take After a Lansing Car Accident
Being involved in car crashes can be traumatic and overwhelming. This can lead to confusion and uncertainty of what to do next. Taking the proper steps immediately after the accident can help protect your health, secure crucial evidence, and strengthen your legal claim. Here is what you should do:
- Check for Injuries and Ensure Safety
- Call the Police
- Seek Medical Attention
- Gather Evidence at the Scene
- Notify Your Insurance Company
- Keep Track of All Documents and Expenses
- Avoid Speaking with the Other Party’s Insurance Adjusters
- Contact a Lansing Car Accident Lawyer
Acting quickly after an accident can make a huge difference in the success of your case. Contact The Clark Law Office for a free case review and immediate legal advice.
How The Clark Law Office Can Help You Win Your Lansing Car Accident Case
A serious car accident can leave you with crippling medical bills, the inability to earn a wage, and a long recovery process. A personal injury attorney can play a crucial role in maximizing your financial recovery by ensuring you understand your legal rights and guiding you through the complexities of legal claims. Auto insurance companies work hard to minimize your payouts – we work harder to maximize yours. Here is how our Lansing car accidents lawyers fight for your rights and financial recovery.
We Build a Strong Case with Solid Evidence
Winning a car accident claim starts with gathering the right evidence. Our team will obtain police reports, interview witnesses, analyze medical records, and, when necessary, work with accident reconstruction experts to prove exactly how the crash happened. The sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your case will be.
We Handle the Insurance Companies for You
Insurance companies are not on your side—they are focused on minimizing payouts. We take over all communication and negotiations, ensuring that your rights are protected. Our attorneys push back against lowball settlement offers and fight for the full compensation you deserve. If the insurance company refuses to be fair, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
We Make Sure You Get Proper Medical Care
Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, don’t show immediate symptoms. Many accident victims delay treatment, only to have insurance companies later argue that their injuries weren’t serious. We help you get the medical attention you need and ensure your injuries are properly documented, so you receive the compensation necessary for ongoing care.
We Calculate the Full Value of Your Claim
Many accident victims underestimate the true value of their case. Compensation goes beyond just covering medical bills—it should also include lost wages, reduced earning potential, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. We work to ensure that every financial and emotional hardship caused by your accident is accounted for, so you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
We Take Your Case to Court if Necessary
Most cases settle out of court, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This approach forces insurance companies to take your claim seriously. If they refuse to offer a fair settlement, we will take them to court and fight for the maximum compensation possible. Our track record of successful verdicts proves that we know how to win in the courtroom.
Understanding Michigan No-Fault Insurance After a Car Accident
Michigan’s no-fault insurance system is designed to ensure that accident victims receive medical coverage and other benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the crash. While this no-fault system offers some protections, it also creates complexities that can be extremely difficult to navigate without the help of an experienced Lansing personal injury lawyer.
What Does No-Fault Insurance Cover?
Accident victims will file a claim against their own insurance company to collect essential benefits which include:
Benefit | Coverage Details |
---|---|
🏥 Medical Expenses | Covers hospital bills, doctor visits, rehabilitation, and long-term care. |
💰 Lost Wages | Provides compensation for lost income if injuries prevent you from working (up to three years). |
🏡 Replacement Services | Pays for daily household tasks you can no longer perform, such as cleaning, childcare, or yard work. |
👨⚕️ Attendant Care | Covers in-home assistance for serious injuries, including caregivers or nursing services. |
🚗 Medical Mileage | Reimburses travel expenses for transportation to and from medical appointments. |
🏗️ Home Modifications | Covers necessary modifications like wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, or accessible bathrooms. |
🔧 Vehicle Modifications | Helps pay for adaptive vehicle equipment, such as hand controls or wheelchair lifts, for accident victims with mobility impairments. |
Can You Sue For Additional Compensation?
Yes, you can. A personal injury case can help you pursue additional compensation following a car accident. No-fault benefits cover many expenses, but they do not compensate for pain and suffering. If another driver is found to be responsible for the accident, you can file what is called a third-party claim to recover the following damages:
- Pain and suffering damages
- Permanent disability or disfigurement compensation
- Excess medical expenses beyond your no-fault coverage limits
- Lost wages beyond the three-year cap on no-fault benefits
To win a third-party lawsuit, you must prove that the at-fault driver’s negligence caused your injuries and that your injuries meet Michigan’s serious impairment of body function threshold. This is where having an experienced car accident attorney makes all the difference.
How Recent No-Fault Law Changes Affect Your Claim
Michigan’s auto insurance reform, which took effect in 2020, changed how medical benefits are paid and capped coverage at different levels. Drivers now choose their level of medical coverage, ranging from unlimited benefits to reduced options that limit how much is covered after a crash.
If you selected a lower coverage tier, you may not have enough insurance to cover your full medical expenses after a serious accident. Our attorneys can evaluate your policy and determine whether additional legal action is necessary to ensure you receive proper compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lansing Car Accident Attorney?
Our personal injury law firm takes all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay unless your Lansing car accident lawsuit is won. The injured victim only must pay us if they receive a settlement or verdict for your injuries and/or pain and suffering. Our law firm will front all the costs necessary to win including hiring relevant expert witnesses, investigators, court fees, etc. What do accident attorneys charge? The typical percentage is 33% and this is what just about every car accident lawyer in Lansing charges. This might seem high, but you must remember that the law firm is taking a substantial risk by taking on the case.
Many people assume that hiring a car accident attorney in Lansing will be too expensive. This is simply not true. At The Clark Law Office, we don’t ever charge our clients anything unless and until your case is won and you receive a settlement or trial verdict. We pay for all the upfront fees, court costs, and expert testimony, so you do not have to. This means that you will pay nothing only if your case is won and you get paid.
How Long Does a Lansing Car Accident Case Take to Settle?
The amount of time it will take to receive payment after an auto accident in Lansing, MI is going to depend on several factors and varies with every single case. Some cases are uncomplicated, meaning there are severe injuries and insurance policy limits are low. Typically, the adjuster will just go ahead and pay full policy limits right away. Unfortunately, this is not normal. Many accidents can take up to a year or more for the injured party to get paid. Recovery from accidents is long-term in many instances and the insurance companies want to see how bad the injuries will be and how much medical treatment will be necessary before writing a check.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Lansing Car Accident
After a car accident, you might assume that your insurance company—or the other driver’s insurer—will fairly compensate you for your injuries and damages. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses whose primary goal is to minimize payouts and protect their bottom line—not to look out for your best interests.
At The Clark Law Office, we understand the tactics insurance companies use to reduce or deny claims. We help accident victims fight back and secure the compensation they are rightfully owed. Here are five ways insurance companies try to pay you less:
- Pressuring you to accept a lowball offer
- Using your own words against you
- Blaming you for the accident
- Delaying your claim in hopes you’ll give up
- Denying valid claims without justification
The biggest mistake that accident victims make is trusting the insurance company to treat them fairly. Protect your rights before they take advantage of you by calling an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Lansing’s Most Dangerous Intersections for Car Accidents
Car accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. However, the city of Lansing and Ingham County have some of the most dangerous highways, roads, and intersections in the State. Our attorneys wanted to give the residents a better idea of why these locations is so dangerous for motor vehicles. We created a series of short videos to demonstrate why. Here is a list of the top 10 dangerous intersections along with a compilation video:
- Grand River Avenue and Hagadorn Road in East Lansing (Michigan State University Campus) – 18:53
- Grand River Avenue and Howard Street in Lansing – 16:50
- Coolidge Road and Lake Lansing Road in East Lansing – 14:51
- Saginaw Street and Homer Street in Lansing – 12:31
- Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Holmes Road in Lansing – 10:23
- Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Main Street in Lansing – 8:14
- Grand River Avenue and Clippert Street in Lansing – 5:59
- Grand River Avenue and US 127 in Lansing – 3:56
- Abbot Road and Saginaw Street in East Lansing – 2:01
- Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Saint Joseph Street in Lansing – 0:01
Common Injuries in Lansing Car Accidents and How to Seek Compensation
Car Accidents can cause a wide range of injuries from minor bruises to life-threatening conditions. Even crashes that seem minor can lead to serious long-term complications. Below are some of the most common injuries we see after a car crash:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Back and neck injuries
- Burn injuries
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Joint injuries (shoulder, knee, hip, etc.)
- Facial injuries and dental damage
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD
Proving Negligence in a Lansing Car Accident Case: What You Need to Know
Proving negligence is the key to winning a car accident case. In Michigan, if another driver’s reckless or careless actions caused your crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. However, insurance companies won’t pay without proof. This is why building a strong case is essential. To prove negligence in a car accident case, you must establish the following:
Element of Negligence | Explanation | Example in a Car Accident |
---|---|---|
⚖️ Duty of Care | The at-fault driver had a legal responsibility to operate their vehicle safely and follow traffic laws. | A driver must stop at a red light and yield to pedestrians. |
❌ Breach of Duty | The driver failed to uphold their duty by acting negligently or recklessly. | A driver ran a red light or was texting while driving. |
🔗 Causation | The breach of duty directly caused the accident and resulting injuries. | Running a red light led to a T-bone collision at an intersection. |
💰 Damages | The accident resulted in measurable losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. | The victim suffered a broken leg, required surgery, and lost weeks of income. |
You also need strong evidence that clearly shows how the other driver’s actions led to the crash. The following types of evidence can help establish fault and strengthen your claim:
- Police reports documenting fault.
- Witness statements supporting your claim.
- Traffic camera or dashcam footage of the crash.
- Accident scene photos showing vehicle damage and road conditions.
- Medical records proving injury severity.
- Phone records if distracted driving was a factor.
- Vehicle damage reports indicating speed and impact force.
Lansing Car Accident Lawyer FAQs: Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you likely have many questions about your legal rights, insurance claims, and the compensation you may be entitled to. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive at The Clark Law Office.
If you’ve been injured, or had your claim denied, or the insurance company is offering a low settlement, it’s in your best interest to speak with an attorney. A lawyer can protect your rights and maximize your compensation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and only owe legal fees if we win your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. Michigan law gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, no-fault insurance claims must be filed within one year. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and rehabilitation or ongoing care related to your injuries. No. Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts or get you to say something that could hurt your claim. It’s best to consult an attorney before making any statements. Michigan follows comparative negligence laws, meaning your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault. If you are less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages. It depends on the complexity of your case. Some cases settle in a few months, while others take a year or more, especially if litigation is required. We work to resolve your claim as efficiently as possible while ensuring you receive fair compensation.
How do I know if I need a Lansing car accident lawyer?
How much does it cost to hire a Lansing car accident lawyer?
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Lansing?
What damages can I recover after a car accident in Lansing?
Should I speak to the insurance company after a Lansing auto accident?
What if I was partially at fault for the accident in Lansing?
How long will it take to settle my Lansing car accident case?
Get a Free Consultation with a Lansing Car Accident Attorney Today
📞 Call us today at (517) 575-8131 for a 100% free consultation regarding your Lansing car crash. We will charge you nothing unless you receive a financial award for your injuries. We promise to listen carefully to your story, and we will inform you if you have a case, what legal rights you are entitled to, and what legal options you have available. Don’t settle for a firm that will pass you off and doesn’t have the time and dedication required to win your case. Get our local attorneys on your side today!
Driving Directions to The Clark Law Office in Lansing, Michigan
Our office is conveniently located in downtown Lansing at 910 W Ottawa St, Lansing, MI 48915. No matter where you’re coming from, getting to our office is easy. Follow the directions below based on your location.
- From the north: Take US-127 South to I-496 West toward downtown Lansing. Take Exit 6 for Pine Street. Turn right onto Pine Street, then left onto W Ottawa Street. Our office is on the right.
- From the south: Take US-127 North to I-496 West toward downtown Lansing. Take Exit 6 for Pine Street. Turn right onto Pine Street, then left onto W Ottawa Street. Our office is on the right.
- From the east: Take I-496 West toward downtown Lansing. Take Exit 6 for Pine Street. Turn right onto Pine Street, then left onto W Ottawa Street. Our office is on the right.
- From the west: Take I-96 East to I-496 East toward downtown Lansing. Take Exit 5 for Walnut Street. Turn left onto Walnut Street, then right onto W Ottawa Street. Our office is on the left.
Helpful Resources for Lansing Car Accident Victims
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Lansing, these resources can help you navigate medical care, legal assistance, and insurance claims.
- Lansing Police Department – File an accident report and obtain a copy for your records.
- Ingham County Sheriff’s Office – Handles accident reports for crashes outside Lansing city limits.
- Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reports – Request an official copy of your accident report online.
- Sparrow Hospital – Level 1 Trauma Center – Emergency care for serious car accident injuries.
- McLaren Greater Lansing – Medical treatment and rehabilitation for accident victims.
- Michigan No-Fault Insurance Guide – Learn about Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws and coverage options.
- Lansing Wrecker Service – 24/7 towing and accident recovery in Lansing.