Traverse City combines a small-town feel with nature-focused healthy living. Over 100,000 people call Traverse City and surrounding communities home, enjoying its numerous parks, great restaurants, and a vibrant downtown filled with local shops.
But if you need legal assistance in Traverse City, the personal injury lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm are ready to serve you. Our practice areas include many services for Traverse City residents, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and other personal injury cases.
Even charming communities like Traverse City experience numerous car crashes and other incidents that can cause injury. If you get injured, our team of personal injury attorneys are ready to answer your questions and assist you in getting compensation for your injuries.
Traverse City Car Accident Lawyer
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be confusing, stressful, and difficult. Victims should be able to focus on recovery. We believe victims should be compensated for all aspects of a car crash.
While we want you and all drivers to stay safe on the road when accidents happen, we’ll work to recover the compensation that you’re entitled to when an accident does happen. We have many years of experience. Our law firm are experts in dealing with insurance companies and getting the money damages for injuries from a Traverse City car wreck.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections That Can Lead to a Traverse City Car Accident
Like any city and town center, some intersections in and near Traverse City can be dangerous and be more likely places for accidents to occur. 2018 data from the Michigan State Police reveal intersections where the most traffic accidents occurred:
- Division Street/US 31 at Silver Lake Road (Traverse City): 45 total crashes, 22 injuries
- US 31 at Three Mile Road (East Bay Township): 42 crashes, 9 injuries
- US 31 at South Airport Road (Garfield Twp.): 41 crashes, 9 injuries
Traverse City Truck Accident Lawyers
Accidents involving trucks can be especially damaging because of the truck’s large size. Often, the accident victims in a vehicle hit by large semi-truck or 18-wheeler experience more severe injuries and medical treatment.
Truck drivers should be vigilant and safe during their driving, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Semi-trucks are dangerous when operating their vehicles negligently. They must file federal rules and regulations when operating on Michigan roadways. If you’ve been injured by a semi-truck or a big truck, you need aggressive and experienced legal assistance.
A person injured in a Traverse big truck accident may qualify for Michigan no-fault benefits as well as compensation for personal injury. An experienced personal injury lawyer will help you and your family obtain a monetary settlement for pain and suffering, loss of income, disability, psychological injury, scars, permanent disfigurement, and other harms and losses caused by the crash. In addition, the family of a truck accident victims can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Grand Traverse county or in federal court.
Contact a knowledgable personal injury attorney to discuss the many factors that could impact your truck accident case.
Truck accidents in Michigan occur for a variety of reasons. But some of the more common reasons for big rig or big truck crashes are the following:
- Driver fatigue – the driver has been on the road too long and has violated hours of service regulations;
- Speeding – drivers are driving too fast to get to a destination and/or make up time;
- Running a traffic light or stop – driver has disregarded a red light at an intersection;
- Alcohol or drug use – impaired driving;
- Lack of experience;
- Distracted driving – the driver loses focus during a long drive, is playing with the radio or communication system instead of watching the road, or simply fails to concentrate on the road while driving.
Traverse City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
When you’re in a motorcycle accident in or around Traverse City, you need a lawyer who understands this type of accident and has compassion for Michigan motorcyclists. Your case will need special analysis to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve.
Our legal team has handled thousands of motorcycle wrecks all over the state of Michigan. We know how to work with experts and doctors to obtain the best outcome possible after your motorcycle crash.
Michigan motorcycle accidents fall under a special type of legal claim, and these injury cases demand expertise. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has been handling motorcycle accident cases throughout northern Michigan for over 40 years.
It depends. So long as a motor vehicle – a car or truck – was involved in causing the motorcycle crash, then a person on a motorcycle can make a claim for Michigan no-fault PIP benefits.
However, there is one caveat. If the owner of the motorcycle is involved in the crash, then the motorcycle must have insurance at the time of the accident. If the owner is operating an uninsured motorcycle, then that person cannot make a claim for Michigan no-fault benefits.
Michigan law permits motorcyclists to decide if they wish to wear a helmet or not. But there are certain restrictions.
To legally not wear a helmet, a motorcycle operator must be at least 21 years old, possess at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits, and have held a motorcycle endorsement for at least two years or have passed an approved motorcycle safety course.
Traverse City Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Drunk driving accidents can be devastating to the injured person and families, resulting in significant physical pain and financial hardship. Under the law, almost all individuals injured by a drunk driver are entitled to both Michigan no-fault benefits as well as compensation for pain and suffering.
According to the Michigan State Police, in 2021 there were 3,275 crashes involving car and trucks in Grand Traverse county. This resulted in 637 injuries and 16 deaths. Sadly, alcohol played a role in 119 of these crashes and 15 fatalities. Almost every traffic death in the county was alcohol related.
The Michigan drunk driving accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm represent individuals in Traverse City injured due to drinking and driving. If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, let us help you to put the pieces back together and receive the compensation you deserve.
Injuries that typically arise from alcohol, marijuana and other drug-related crashes include leg and arm fractures, pelvic and hip injuries, knee and elbow damage, lower back injuries, neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, concussions, shoulder dislocations, rotator cuff tears, and joint injuries including ligament and tendon damage.
Traverse City Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Bicycling around Traverse City and northern Michigan is very popular. However, it’s important that car and truck drivers are respectful and drive safely around bicyclists. If not, a bicycle accident lawyer can hold them responsible for the injuries and medical bills they caused.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Cars should provide at least three feet of space when passing bicycles and should always operate their vehicles safely. If you are the victim of a bicycling accident and were hit by a car or truck, our personal injury attorneys want to hear about your situation.
Bicycle accidents involving cars can cause serious injury and even death. Always wear a helmet when riding your bicycle. Common injuries include whiplash, traumatic brain injury, shoulder dislocations, fractures, and low back pain, neck pain, as well as knee and ankle injuries.
If a motor vehicle, like a car or truck, is involved in causing the bicycle accident, then an auto insurance carrier is responsible for paying medical bills that health insurance does not cover.
Under the new Michigan no-fault law, your own auto insurance pays the bills. This is true even if you were on your bicycle when the crash occurred. If you don’t have auto insurance, then the car insurance of a resident relative – like a sibling, parent or spouse – will pay the claim. If there is no car insurance at that level, then the state of Michigan will assign an insurance company to pay the no-fault claim and PIP benefits.
This is called a Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP) claim. It is recommended you contact a bike accident lawyer to make a MACP claim because the application process and rules are confusing.
Traverse City Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Crashes and accidents involving cars and pedestrians are on the rise in Michigan. Pedestrian accidents don’t occur only in big cities. They can happen anywhere, even at unexpected intersections in Traverse City.
It’s important to remember the rules of the road when traveling near pedestrians. Although pedestrian often have the right of way, they must still follow traffic signals and cross at designated crosswalks.
When pedestrians and vehicles collide, the results can be devastating. While focusing on recovery, if you’ve been injured by an automobile while walking, give the Lee Steinberg Law Firm a call at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) for a free consultation.
Drivers who break the law and fail to use reasonable care and caution when driving can be held responsible for an accident. This is certainly true for accidents involving pedestrians. Drivers who don’t leave enough room for pedestrians to cross the road, who don’t look for pedestrians when at an intersection, and who fail to look for pedestrians when making turns or backing up can be held liable.
Michigan’s no-fault law applies to pedestrians. This means a pedestrian hit by a car can obtain PIP benefits, even if they don’t have car insurance. The rule is simple. So long as a truck or car was involved in causing the crash, a pedestrian can still get benefits. This is true even if the pedestrian was at fault for causing the wreck.
Under the Michigan no-fault law, a pedestrian can request compensation for medical bills, physical therapy, doctors’ bills, lost wages and other damages from the auto insurance company responsible for paying the claim. If the driver of the vehicle was at fault, a pedestrian can also make a claim for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other “non-economic” damages.
Traverse City Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers
Ridesharing is a common means of transportation around Michigan. Under Michigan law, victims injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident are entitled to no-fault benefits as well as pain and suffering compensation.
Ride-sharing companies and the general public have debated about how to handle accidents and compensation for injured individuals. Navigating the legal pathways after an accident involving a ridesharing service such as Uber or Lyft can be complicated. So, let our experienced Traverse City personal injury lawyers help with your case.
The amount of money an injured person can obtain following an Uber or Lyft car accident in Traverse City depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the injuries and how the crash occurred. The insurance coverage available is also important.
Under the Limousine, Taxicab, and Transportation Network Company Act, an Uber or Lyft driver who is logged on to the transportation network company’s digital network and is available to receive a transportation request, but is not engaged in a ride, must maintain a minimum of $50,000 in liability coverage for that time period. However, when the Uber or Lyft driver is engaged in a ride, that operator must maintain a least $1,000,000 in liability coverage.
Traverse City Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers
Slip and fall cases in Traverse City can be made against property owners and landlords who are negligent and do not maintain their properties in a reasonably safe condition. By failing to keep walkways clear, porches safe, and staircases in good condition, bad injuries can happen.
Trip and fall cases can cause serious injuries. Property owners who do not manage their properties well can be held accountable. Our personal injury attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm have handled slip and falls for decades and are experienced in winning these difficult cases.
If you are injured due to a slip and fall, it is import to follow these steps. It can mean the difference in obtaining fair compensation or receiving no justice at all.
Besides proving that a premises owner was negligent in a slip and fall case, a personal injury attorney must also demonstrate that the defendant had adequate notice of the defect before the fall occurred.
The first type of notice is “actual notice.” This is when the landowner actually knew about the dangerous condition but still did not fix the problem.
The second type of notice is “constructive notice”. This notice means the landowner should have known of the dangerous condition on the land, had adequate time to remedy the problem, but still failed to do so in a reasonable manner. Without proving notice, even if the landowner admits he or she failed to keep an area safe, a judge can dismiss your negligence slip and fall case.
In general, the statute of limitations – or legal time limit – for a slip and fall case in Michigan is three years. Minors have one year after their 18th birthday. The statute of limitations is different against governmental agencies, so please consult a Michigan slip and fall lawyer for details.
Traverse City Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has been successfully handling Michigan dog bite cases for more than 40 years and has helped Traverse City victims get the compensation they’re entitled to. We’ve represented a variety of dog bite victims, including utility workers, children, parents, and seniors.
Dog bites can be very traumatizing and damaging. If owners are negligent in controlling their dogs, we can help to advance and settle your dog bite injury case.
In Traverse City, as in other parts of Michigan, the Michigan Leash Law states that no dog should be allowed to stray without being held on a leash. There are some exceptions, however, for so-called working dogs, guard dogs, and farm and hunting dogs.
Michigan has a dog bite law that states if a dog bites a person, and the attack was not provoked, the dog owner is liable for all medical bills and injuries from the dog bite attack. The dog bite statute, MCL 287.351, is a strict liability statute. This means the injured person does not even have to prove negligence to get a recovery. So long as the attack was not provoked and there was no trespassing, the injured person is entitled to money for scarring, pain and suffering, lost wages and medical bills.
Traverse City Medical Malpractice Injury Lawyers
Medical malpractice is common and is even a leading cause of death in the United States. A medical malpractice lawsuit can compensate you for damages suffered.
While healthcare providers in Traverse City and other northern Michigan communities often carry insurance policies to pay for their mistakes, they almost never admit fault. Medical malpractice cases are complicated and complex. That is why it takes an aggressive and and experienced team of medical malpractice lawyers to make sure that medical providers are held liable for what happened.
Medical malpractice cases require the injured person prove certain elements to go forward with a case.
First, there must be a doctor-patient relationship between the plaintiff and the healthcare provider.
Second, there must be a deviation on part of the provider from the acceptable standard of proper medical care. The mistake must have also led to serious injuries or death, which must be supported with evidence that the medical professional caused the damage.
In general, medical malpractice occurs when a patient sustains an injury due to an improper action, or failure to act, by a member of the medical profession. When a doctor fails to meet the standard of care for the profession or the level of professional medical that is relevant for a specific medication situation, then that doctor can be held responsible for the injuries that result.
Traverse City Landlord-Tenant Injury Lawyers
Michigan landlord-tenant injury cases are a special type of case. Like a regular Michigan negligence case, a Traverse City tenant must prove that the landlord was negligent in maintaining the building or residence, and this negligence caused the tenant’s injuries.
Tenants have special rights under Michigan law. So you’ll want an experienced, dedicated legal team on your side. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm is Michigan’s landlord-renter law experts, and we’re ready to learn more about your case.
Yes, under Michigan Law renters do have special protections. There is a specific statute, MCL 554.139, that mandates that a landlord must keep the rental property in reasonable repair and maintain the property and common areas fit for their intended use.
Most rental injuries that happen due to landlord negligence occur in areas of the home that are often ignored and not properly maintained. Common tenant injuries include a handrail giving way, broken steps, broken porch, a cracked floor or walkway or water damage resulting in ceiling collapse or building collapse.
If a landlord fails in maintaining a reasonably safe building or common area, and a tenant is injured, the tenant may use these protections in filing a lawsuit to seek compensation for injuries.
Wrongful Death Injury Lawyers
When someone’s negligence leads to another person’s death in Traverse City, it may be a wrongful death case. These cases involve a wide variety of situations like auto accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, drunk driving, product liability, drownings, fires, explosions, and workplace deaths.
Michigan wrongful death cases involve a special type of case that requires the attention of specialized Michigan wrongful death lawyers. Our attorneys understand the various ways insurance companies seek to deny benefits to wrongful death victims and their families in Traverse City.
A family should receive compensation for both direct economic losses as well as non-economic losses, like pain and suffering. Economic losses include loss of earnings and financial support, loss of work benefits, medical and funeral expenses, and loss of household services.
In Michigan, there is a specific law that regulates how wrongful death lawsuits are litigated and administered. Under MCL 600.2922, a personal representative of the Estate is in charge of the lawsuit for the deceased’s family wrongfully killed due to the negligence of another person. Once a lawsuit is filed, the personal representative has 30 days to serve a copy of the lawsuit on all individuals entitled to money damages.
Compensation You Deserve
The person or entity who caused your injuries should be financially liable for your damages. However, insurance companies are rarely willing to offer adequate compensation and instead seek to delay and then deny your claim.
The experienced and dedicated legal team at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm will join your side and fight for the compensation that you deserve. The results and compensation that we’ve secured for personal injury victims speak for themselves.
After you’ve been injured, you should focus on your recovery. Let our attorneys handle negotiations and the work of getting your case fully compensated. By helping residents of Traverse City, we’re glad to be a trusted partner who is committed to the well-being and safety of the community.
If you’ve been injured, you may be able to seek damages for your personal injury claim involving:
- Hospitalization and emergency medical treatment
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Lost or reduced wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional scarring
- Loss of quality of life
Emergency Services and Local Contact information for Traverse City
- Traverse City Police Department 851 Woodmere Avenue Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 995-5150
- Traverse City Fire Department 500 West Front Street Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 922-4930
- Traverse City Hall 400 Boardman Avenue Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 922-4480
- Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department 851 Woodmere Ave Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 995-5001
- Traverse City Courthouses 13th Judicial Circuit Court 328 Washington, Suite 300 Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 922-4701
- 86th District Court 280 Washington Street Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 922-4580
- Traverse City Area Hospitals Munson Medical Center 1105 Sixth St. Traverse City, MI 49684
- Mercy Hospital Cadillac 400 Hobart St. Cadillac, MI 49601 Kalkaska
- Memorial Health Center 419 S. Coral Street Kalkaska, MI 49646
Contact Us Now – Lee Steinberg Law Firm – Traverse City Personal Injury Lawyers
Contact our Traverse City law offices online or at 1-800-LEE-FREE.
Over the past 40 years, The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has helped thousands of people whose lives have been affected by Michigan car accidents, Michigan truck accidents, and Michigan motorcycle accidents.
The experience and knowledge we bring to each case allows us to assist our clients with the highest level of expertise. Michigan is a “no-fault” state, which essentially means that all parties in an auto accident are eligible for benefits from their insurance companies, regardless of who was at fault.
Our attorneys will take care of everything, leaving you and your family to the most important job — recovering and getting your lives back on track. Having an experienced Michigan car, truck, and motorcycle attorney behind you can make all the difference.
And remember, there are no fees until you win or settle your case. We don’t get paid unless you do.
