Holland Car Accident Attorney

Lawyer Representing Motor Vehicle Accident Victims in Holland, Michigan

Even though Holland, Michigan is a quiet lakeshore town, its roads often experience much more traffic than many people expect. Commuters travel on US-31 and I-196, the areas around Hope College can be busy as students cross streets, and summer visitors travel along local roads on the way to Holland State Park. In the spring, the Tulip Time Festival brings hundreds of thousands of guests into the city, and many drivers may be unfamiliar with local streets. All of these issues can lead to car accidents, and people who are injured in collisions will need to take steps to ensure that they will be paid for their losses.

At John D. Tallman, PLC, Attorney at Law, our attorney provides representation for people in Holland and the surrounding areas who have been injured in car accidents. He can help clients sort out complicated questions related to insurance coverage and provide guidance on what forms of compensation they can receive. He will explain the steps followed in a car accident claim and work to secure the money needed for medical care, lost income, and a person's overall recovery.

Types of Car Accidents in Holland

Our team handles claims involving many kinds of collisions, including:

• Head-On Crashes: These accidents can occur on two-lane country roads outside the city or other local roads. A driver may cross over a road and collide with oncoming vehicles because of distractions, fatigue, or intoxication. The combined force of two vehicles can make these crashes likely to cause catastrophic injuries.
• T-Bone Collisions: A driver who runs a red light or pulls out from a side street without yielding can strike another car directly on its side. This type of collision can result in serious injuries for people who are sitting near the point of impact.
• Rollover Accidents: SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans have a higher center of gravity, which makes them more likely to tip over when a driver takes a curve too fast or overcorrects. Being struck by another vehicle can also lead to a rollover.
• Sideswipe Accidents: When drivers are merging into traffic or changing lanes on busy roads or highways, they may collide with other vehicles because they failed to look in their mirrors or check their blind spots. Serious damage can occur in these collisions, and drivers and passengers may suffer harm if a car is forced off the road.
• Rear-End Collisions: Heavy traffic near shopping areas or in other busy locations can create conditions where drivers cause collisions because of tailgating, speeding, or failing to pay attention to the road.
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: In downtown Holland, the area around Hope College, and bike paths near the lakeshore, roads will often experience heavy foot and bicycle traffic. Drivers who fail to watch for pedestrians or bicycles can cause accidents that may lead to devastating injuries.

Steps Toward Obtaining Compensation for a Car Accident

Recovering compensation after a car crash in Michigan may involve more than one type of claim. Our lawyer can guide clients through each stage of a case and help them take the right steps to obtain compensation from all available sources. Steps to follow after an accident include:

Seek Treatment and Record Everything

Getting medical care quickly will help ensure that a person's health is protected. It will also provide documentation of the injuries that have occurred so that they can be linked to a car accident. Keeping bills, receipts, and records of missed work can help ensure that these losses will be addressed in the compensation a person receives.

Open a No-Fault Claim

In most cases, a person's own auto insurer will cover their medical expenses and also address lost wages and replacement services through personal injury protection. This coverage is available no matter which driver was at fault for a car accident. Written notice to an insurer must be provided within one year of an accident.

Identify the Responsible Driver or Other Parties

The motorist who was at fault for an accident may not be the only party who will be required to pay compensation. The vehicle's owner, an employer whose worker was driving on the job, or a business that served alcohol to an obviously intoxicated driver may also share liability.

Pursue a Claim Against the Negligent Driver

If injuries are serious enough, a person may take steps to hold the at-fault driver liable for pain, suffering, and emotional harm, and financial losses that are not fully covered by no-fault benefits. Our attorney can negotiate with insurers and take steps to file lawsuits to help an injury victim recover the compensation they deserve.

Contact Our Holland, MI Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident can leave you dealing with injuries, missed paychecks, and confusing insurance rules. You will need to make sure you take the right steps to protect your rights and your financial interests. At John D. Tallman, PLC, Attorney at Law, our lawyer can identify every source of coverage, handle negotiations with insurers, and work to recover the compensation you need. Contact our Holland, Michigan auto accident injury attorney at 616-361-8850 to arrange your free consultation.