Kalamazoo Car Accident Attorney

Lawyer for Serious Injuries in Car Crashes in Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo is at the crossroads of two of the busiest routes in Western Michigan. On Interstate 94, a steady stream of traffic travels between Detroit and Chicago, and US-131 links Kalamazoo with Grand Rapids to the north. Within the city, roads like Westnedge Avenue, Stadium Drive, Drake Road, and Gull Road experience constant traffic from commuters, shoppers, and Western Michigan University students. Multiple types of car accidents can occur on these roads, and people injured in collisions will need to understand their legal options.

At John D. Tallman, PLC, Attorney at Law, we work with people in Kalamazoo who have been hurt in collisions caused by negligent drivers. Our attorney can investigate highway and city crashes, collect the evidence needed to prove fault, and guide clients through filing claims under Michigan's insurance rules. We provide each client with personal attention and honest advice, and our lawyer will push for an outcome that will provide compensation for medical care, lost income, and the pain that a person has suffered after a serious collision.

Accidents on Kalamazoo Highways

High speeds and heavy traffic can make car crashes on highways extremely dangerous. A small mistake that takes place when a person is driving at 70 miles per hour can lead to a collision involving several vehicles. Our attorney can help people who have been injured in accidents such as:

Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipes can take place near interchanges where drivers merge into traffic, exit highways, or change lanes quickly. Drivers are required to stay within their lanes, and they should only change lanes after they have confirmed that they can do so safely. A driver may drift out of their lane because they were drowsy or distracted, or they may fail to make sure a lane is clear when they are rushing toward an exit. These forms of negligence can lead to sideswipe collisions that could send other cars off the road, into a median, or into the path of another vehicle.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

During winter weather, visibility on I-94 can decrease. Drivers who keep traveling at highway speeds in those conditions may be unable to stop when traffic slows down suddenly. This could set off a chain of collisions. Multi-vehicle collisions can also take place in other conditions, and they may be caused by drivers who act unsafely when traveling at high speeds around other vehicles. Several drivers may share fault in a pileup. A close review of the evidence by our lawyer can help determine who was responsible.

Accidents on Local Roads

City driving may involve hazards such as frequent stops, busy intersections, and drivers entering traffic from businesses and side streets. Collisions that can take place on city streets include:

Rear-End Accidents

Stop-and-go traffic along Westnedge Avenue and near shopping centers on the south side of Kalamazoo may leave little margin of error for drivers. When a person is distracted by their phone, tailgating behind another vehicle, or traveling at an unsafe speed, they may have no way to prevent a rear-end collision when another vehicle slows down or stops. A driver who hits the car ahead of them is usually presumed to be negligent. Our attorney can review police reports, photos of vehicle damage, and witness accounts to demonstrate that a driver was responsible for a rear-end crash.

T-Bone Accidents

Side-impact collisions can take place at intersections when someone runs a red light, rolls through a stop sign, or turns left in front of oncoming traffic. Drivers who violate the right-of-way rules may be responsible for causing T-bone collisions because of the failure to stop or yield. Because the side of a vehicle may provide little in the way of protection between a driver or passenger and the front of another car, these crashes can lead to injuries such as pelvic fractures, shoulder injuries, and head trauma.

Steps to Take to Hold a Negligent Driver Responsible for an Accident

What a person does in the days and weeks after a crash can affect the strength of their claim. Our attorney can help injury victims take the right steps, including:

• Get Medical Attention Right Away: Prompt treatment will protect a person's health and create a record linking their injuries to the crash.
• Make Sure a Police Report Is Filed: Michigan law requires drivers to report crashes involving injuries. An official crash report may contain important details that can be used to establish fault.
• Preserve Evidence: Photos of the scene of a crash, dashcam footage, and contact information for witnesses can be helpful to establish what happened.
• Notify an Insurer in Writing: A no-fault insurer should receive written notice within one year after an accident took place.
• Be Careful With the Other Driver's Insurer: Adjusters working for insurance companies may ask for recorded statements, and they may try to get a person to admit details that could be used to minimize a claim. Our attorney can handle communications with insurers while protecting a person's right to receive compensation.
• Act Before the Deadline: While a lawsuit may provide a person with additional compensation after suffering serious injuries in an accident, most lawsuits must be filed within three years after a crash took place. Our lawyer can make sure a strong case is built within the filing deadlines.

Contact Our Kalamazoo, Michigan Car Accident Lawyer

Whether a car crash happened on an interstate, another highway, or at a neighborhood intersection, an injury victim will need to make sure they have representation from a lawyer who can dig into the facts, establish liability, and make a careless driver answer for the harm they have caused. At John D. Tallman, PLC, Attorney at Law, we can review a case, explain the available options, and take steps to secure full and fair compensation. Contact our Kalamazoo, MI auto accident attorney at 616-361-8850 to schedule a free consultation.