Personal Injury Lawyer in Holland, MI
Suffering an injury in an accident can leave you with mounting medical debt and lost income. If you were hurt, speak to a personal injury attorney in Muskegon as soon as possible to protect your financial future. We fight tirelessly to full compensation that covers medical bills, lost wages and more.
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Recovering Compensation for Your Personal Injuries
Holland, Michigan, is a quaint town known for its Dutch heritage and popular agricultural attractions. While many visitors come to tour the 250-year old de Zwann windmill, taste the area’s famous blueberries, and photograph the iconic Holland Harbor Light known as Big Red, serious accidents ranging from car wrecks to falls and dog bites can still happen in this idyllic community. If you’ve been injured in an accident in Holland, MI, you may be facing unexpected medical bills, lost wages, and significant stress. During this difficult time, understanding your legal options is one of the first and most important steps.
A skilled Holland personal injury lawyer at Barrix Law Firm can provide the information and advice that you need to move forward. We’re available to explain your rights, examine the facts of your case, and determine the next steps for achieving a favorable outcome. The best part is that there’s no cost to get started. The initial consultation is free, and you only pay for our services if we win. See if you have a case today!
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Do I Need a Holland Personal Injury Lawyer?
After an accident, your first thought probably isn’t about filing a lawsuit. However, it’s a question that you may need to address down the road depending on the extent of your injuries and other losses.
While you can file a lawsuit or negotiate with the insurance companies on your own, it can put you at a disadvantage. Insurance adjusters are trained to resolve claims while protecting the company’s bottom line. They may also delay or deny your claim unfairly. If you want to level the playing field, you need an experienced advocate on your side. Here are a few situations where it pays to hire a personal injury lawyer in Holland, MI, to represent you:
- Serious Injuries: If you were hospitalized or required surgery, you may need an attorney to ensure that you’re fully compensated for all past and future medical care.
- Delays or Denials: Insurers may use stall tactics or offer a quick lowball settlement hoping for a fast resolution. Your attorney can counter these tactics and push for a timely, fair resolution.
- Disputed Fault: If the other party is trying to blame you for the accident, you may need a legal professional to investigate the facts and gather compelling evidence needed to build a strong case.
- Significant Damages: A personal injury attorney can accurately value your claim, including medical care and property damage. A lawyer can help you seek non-economic damages for pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Working with a lawyer provides peace of mind and significantly increases your chances of recovering the compensation you’re owed. See what your case is worth today!
What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do You Handle?
Barrix Law Firm is a full-service personal injury practice serving clients in Holland and surrounding parts of West Michigan, including Saugatuck, Hudsonville, and Allendale. We have substantial experience handling all types of cases, including auto accidents, slip and falls, premises liability, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, and more. We’ve also achieved successful outcomes for surviving family members who have lost loved ones due to fatal accidents and injuries. Learn more about our practice areas.
Why Choose Barrix Law for Your Personal Injury Case
When you’re choosing a legal advocate to take your case, you want a team that offers experience, knowledge, quality customer service, and proven results. At Barrix Law Firm, that’s exactly what we offer. Our team members genuinely care about your recovery and well-being. Here’s why local clients in Holland, Zeeland, West Olive, Jenison, and Hudsonville trust Barrix Law Firm when it matters most.
- Local Roots: We aren’t a national firm that sees you as a case number. We live and work in West Michigan. We’re familiar with the local court system, judges, and legal landscape in Ottawa and Allegan counties.
- Proven Results: Our firm has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for clients in West Michigan. We have the experience needed to accurately value your claim, and we’ll negotiate until we reach a favorable settlement.
- Personalized Service: With over 32 years of legal experience, we’ve helped clients through some of life’s most difficult moments. Our goal is to provide personalized, trusted advice to help you make informed decisions.
- No Fee Unless We Win: We work on a contingency basis, so there’s no upfront cost. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our goal is to ensure that you have access to quality representation regardless of your ability to pay in advance.
What Types of Compensation Can I Get?
Compensation awarded through a personal injury lawsuit or settlement is intended to return the plaintiff to the position they were in before the accident. Damages may cover financial losses as well as emotional trauma.
Also called special damages, this type of compensation reimburses you for verified financial losses related to the accident. Your personal injury lawyer in Holland can help you seek compensation for past and future medical care, lost wages, and decreased earning capacity. If your home, vehicle, or personal property was damaged, you can seek compensation for these losses as well.
Also called general damages, this type of compensation covers intangible or emotional losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of companionship. Non-economic damages are also awarded for scars and permanent or disfiguring injuries.
Exemplary damages are awarded in some particularly traumatic or egregious personal injury cases. Examples include claims involving gross negligence or intentional torts, such as violent crimes or drunk driving accidents. This compensation is intended to reimburse the plaintiff for the high level of emotional distress caused by the accident.
If you were injured in an auto accident near Holland, you must seek compensation for medical bills and partial lost wages through the state’s no-fault insurance system. Typically, this means that you must go through your own personal injury protection (PIP) policy or other insurance depending on the order of priority. If you have severe injuries, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and file a claim against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for pain and suffering.
What to Expect During Your Personal Injury Case
Although each case is different, most personal injury claims proceed through the same steps. Here’s what you can expect when you work with a Holland personal injury lawyer at Barrix Law Firm.
1. Initial Consultation
If you’re thinking about suing for your injuries, the first step is to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Holland to see if you have a case. They will evaluate the facts, explain your rights, and interpret Michigan law. If you decide to move forward, you’ll sign a contingency billing agreement that allows your attorney to collect their fee if you recover compensation.
2. Investigation
Next, your legal team will investigate the case and gather evidence to support your claim. Medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and photo/video evidence are all helpful for meeting the burden of proof needed to win a negligence case.
3. Demand and Negotiation
Once you know the full extent of your medical bills and damages, your attorney will send a formal demand letter to the other party’s insurer to begin negotiations. Most cases are resolved during this phase or through arbitration by reaching a fair settlement.
4. Settlement or Lawsuit
If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, your attorney will be prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to court where a judge or jury will decide the outcome. Whether you go to trial or settle out of court, the goal is to secure full compensation for all your losses.
5. You Get Paid
After a settlement is reached or a verdict is awarded, the funds are sent to your attorney's office in 30 to 60 days. From this total, your lawyer will pay any outstanding medical liens and collect their legal fees before issuing a check for the remaining balance.
Understanding Michigan’s Personal Injury Laws
Navigating a personal injury claim in Michigan requires a clear understanding of the state's laws. That’s one area where an attorney can be a valuable ally. Here are a few key personal injury laws that may apply to your case.
Most personal injury cases are based on the legal theory of negligence. In civil law, a wrongful act or omission can create legal liability. To recover compensation, your attorney must show that:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care.
- The defendant breached this duty through their actions or inactions.
- You were injured as a direct result of the breach of care.
- You suffered damages that require reimbursement.
Michigan is a modified comparative fault state. This means that you can still bring a lawsuit even if you are partially responsible for the accident. However, any compensation may be reduced according to your level of liability. If you bear the majority of the fault, you cannot recover non-economic damages for pain and suffering. This rule is detailed in MCL § 600.2959.
Per MCL § 600.5805(2), civil actions related to a death, a personal injury, or property damage must be filed within 3 years of the date of the incident. No-fault auto insurance claims typically need to be filed within 1 year of the accident.
There are numerous exceptions to the statute of limitations. In certain situations, wrongful death claims can be extended up to 2 years after the personal representative is appointed, provided it’s within 3 years of the original expiration.
Advance notice of your intent to sue may be required in as little as 120 days in cases against government entities and in alcohol-related dramshop claims. Don’t hesitate to contact an attorney for a free case review to determine what rules apply to your case.
Holland Personal Injury FAQs
If you were injured due to a preventable accident caused by someone else, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation. Most cases are based on the legal theory of negligence, which requires you to prove that the at-fault party failed to act in a reasonably safe and prudent manner. Speak to a personal injury lawyer in Holland, MI, today to understand your rights.
Personal injury lawsuits originating in Holland are typically filed in the Ottawa County Circuit Court, the Allegan County Circuit Court, or the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Holland is located in Ottawa County primarily, but it also covers parts of Allegan County, so the court can vary depending on where you live. The correct venue depends on the value of the alleged damages, the parties involved, and whether the case involves state or federal law.
To get the most from your initial consultation, bring all documents related to your case. Helpful items include:
- Accident reports
- Photo/video evidence
- Witness information or statements
- Health or auto insurance information
- Medical bills and a list of providers
- Paystubs or tax records
- Correspondence from the insurance company
- A summary or timeline of events
- A list of questions for your injury lawyer
Timelines vary widely depending on the type of case and the length of your recovery. Most personal injury lawyers in Holland, MI, will wait until you are fully healed and your medical bills are final before seeking compensation from the at-fault party. Simple cases typically settle faster, such as car accidents with clear liability, while complex cases involving multiple parties or disputed facts typically take longer to resolve. We can provide a more detailed timeline during your free consultation.
Typically, you must file a workers’ compensation to receive compensation for injuries that occur on the job. However, in some situations, you may be able to step outside this no-fault insurance system to file a third-party liability claim against an equipment manufacturer, subcontractor, or vendor that caused or contributed to your injury. Reach out to our injury law firm in Holland to understand your rights.
Get a Free Case Review Today!
If you've been injured in Holland, Zeeland, Macatawa, Hudsonville, Georgetown, West Olive, Jenison or surrounding communities in Michigan’s Lakeshore region, we may be able to help you recover compensation. A personal injury settlement can reimburse you for medical bills, lost wages, and physical pain and suffering. Reach out to an experienced Holland personal injury attorney at Barrix Law Firm to see if you have a case.
Our team will listen to your side of the story, analyze the facts of the case, and explain your legal options. Schedule a free case review to protect your rights and get answers. There’s no risk and no obligation.
