Muskegon Car Accident Lawyer

Attorney Helping Clients Hold Negligent Drivers Responsible for Car Crashes in Muskegon, Michigan

The roads in Muskegon serve a wide variety of travelers. Year-round residents may commute to work on US-31, I-96, Seaway Drive, Apple Avenue, Sherman Boulevard, or other local roads. During the summer, tourists may travel through the area when heading to Pere Marquette Park, the state parks along the lakeshore, or Michigan's Adventure. When drivers who do not know the area well share the roads with locals who are in a hurry, there are plenty of opportunities for mistakes. When one driver's negligence causes a car accident, other people may be left facing injuries, medical bills, and questions about what to do next.

The attorney at John D. Tallman, PLC, Attorney at Law represents people who have been injured in car crashes in Muskegon and throughout Muskegon County. He can investigate how a collision happened, handle the paperwork related to insurance claims, and take steps to obtain compensation that will account for both immediate and long-term effects of an injury. Clients can count on our team to keep them informed, treat them with respect, and work hard to achieve the best possible results.

Common Forms of Driver Negligence Leading to Car Accidents in Muskegon

When a person is driving, negligence may include any ways they have failed to operate their vehicle in a manner that is safe while protecting others on the road. Many crashes on Muskegon roads can be traced to careless behaviors such as:

• Distracted Driving: When a person is reading a text message, looking up directions on a GPS device, or turning around to check on a child in the back seat, they may take their eyes and their mental focus off the road. This can increase the chances that they will fail to notice changes on the road and will be unable to react and avoid colliding with another vehicle.
• Tailgating: A driver who follows another vehicle too closely may not be able to stop in time when traffic ahead of them slows down. This is a leading cause of rear-end crashes.
• Speeding: The time a person has to react while driving will be much shorter when they are traveling at a high speed. They may have no way to slow down or stop before they collide with another vehicle. Speeding can also increase the violence of a collision, leading to more serious injuries.
• Running Red Lights: At a red light, a driver is required to stop and remain stopped until the light turns green. When a driver tries to beat a light, or when they ignore a red light altogether, they may cause a side-impact crash.
• Unsafe Passing: When passing on a two-lane road, a driver who does not pay attention to oncoming traffic or who passes in a no-passing zone could cause a deadly head-on collision.
• Unsafe Lane Changes: Merging into another lane without checking blind spots or signaling can lead to a sideswipe collision that could force another driver off the road or into oncoming traffic.
• Drowsy Driving: Fatigue can lead to delayed reflexes and other impairments. Night-shift workers, travelers on long trips, or people who experience sleep disorders may be at risk of nodding off while behind the wheel, which can prevent them from taking any actions to avoid collisions.
• Drunk Driving: The use of alcohol can lead to multiple types of physical and mental issues that may make it impossible for a person to drive safely. Issues such as blurred vision, poor coordination, delayed reactions, and impaired judgment can cause intoxicated drivers to collide with other vehicles and injure drivers or passengers. Drug use can also cause intoxication that can lead to accidents.

How a Car Accident Can Change a Person's Life

The impact of a collision may extend into every part of a person's daily life. Injuries that occur can continue to affect a person for months or years. The effects of an accident may include:

Physical Harm

Car accidents can cause broken bones, herniated discs in the spine, torn ligaments in joints like shoulders or knees, concussions, and other forms of bodily harm. During a person's recovery, they may need surgery, physical therapy, medications, and follow-up care. The costs of treatment can add up quickly, leading to financial difficulties.

Emotional Strain

Many crash survivors experience anxiety that can last for years. They may struggle to get behind the wheel again, they may have trouble sleeping, or they may experience depression as they cope with pain and the loss of independence. These struggles are real, and they deserve to be taken seriously during a car accident claim.

Financial Pressure

Time away from work, combined with medical bills and travel to appointments, can quickly drain a family's savings. People who can no longer perform their usual jobs may experience a permanent drop in income.

Contact Our Muskegon, MI Car Accident Attorney

A careless driver's choices should not leave you paying the price for someone else's mistake. At John D. Tallman, PLC, Attorney at Law, our attorney can explain how Michigan's insurance laws apply to your situation, and he will help you determine your best options for recovering compensation that will address your medical expenses, income you have lost, and emotional trauma. Contact our Muskegon, Michigan car accident lawyer at 616-361-8850 to discuss your case in a free consultation.