The Lawyers You See On TV Will Not Be The Ones Handling Your Case. Jon Frank Will Not Shunt You Off to Someone Else. Jon IS YOUR LAWYER.
You are a good and careful driver; you take no stupid chances, speeding, drinking and driving, or disregarding stop signs, or stop lights. Then that car came roaring through the stop sign, or the stop light, hit your car, and devastated your life. Who knows? Maybe the other driver was sober when they hit you; maybe not. In any event, hopefully, you will have had a chance to first drop off your kids, or your wife/husband, or a loved one. Sometimes, you are not even that “lucky”.
At first, you are angry. Then you have to start thinking about how to pick up the pieces, and to move on with your life, your family, your work. It is never easy. You need a lawyer who can do more than “handle the court stuff”, and who can divide the verdict or settlement by three at the end, to calculate his/her fee. You need a lawyer who understands, and will give you and your case, the personal attention it deserves. From start to finish.
Two distinct sets of rights flow from any auto or truck accident. One is against the at-fault driver for the needless pain, suffering and devastation they have caused you, a friend, or loved one. Another is against your own insurance company, in the event they refuse to honor the promises they made to pay the No-Fault benefits of medical bills, wage loss, etc.
If you are concerned about your No-Fault rights with your own insurance company, visit our No-Fault page to see how to file a claim.
How To Pick An Auto Accident Lawyer?
Attorney Jon Frank used to work for insurance companies. He knows the secrets of how they defend, delay and deny these claims.
Car & Truck Accidents. Understand Your Rights in Michigan.
There are two types of claims that flow from a motor vehicle accident:
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Under Michigan law, we do not have an unlimited right to sue a negligent party, after an auto accident. There must not only be accident scene liability (e.g., the other vehicle rear-ended you, or blew through a red light, etc), but there must be a showing of "injury threshold". The threshold is set up by statute, specifically, MCLA 500.3135... Continue reading.
The Client Bill of Rights
Get Yours.
Client Bill of Rights
- 100% Client Satisfaction Guarantee
- 48-Hour Open Door Policy
- The Lawyer You Hire Is The Lawyer Who Works on Your Case
- Candid Explanations in Plain Simple English
- An Idea Where Your Case is Heading
- One-Day Returned Phone Call/E-Mail/Text Policy
- Cell Phone Access to Your Lawyer
- Constant Immediate Updating
- You Have A Right to A Lawyer Who Will Respect Nos. 1-8 Above
Being a client sucks. It is a terrible and anxious experience, and I know, because I am not only a lawyer, but I have been a client before, myself. It can be awful, and the lawyer you hire should not make it worse.
Because different lawyers do different work, the problems that bring you to a lawyer will vary. However, one thing is in common: you have to put yourself and a highly sensitive problem into the hands of another person. It means that there is a loss of control. A cloud hanging over your head.
Just you hire me to protect your rights, you have rights THAT EVERY LAWYER SHOULD BE WILLING TO PROTECT.
I AM.
CLIENT BILL OF RIGHTS
1. 100% Client Satisfaction Guarantee
You have a right to be satisfied, and soon, that I am hard at work on your matter, and that your case is not “just another case”, but it is my cause. I cannot guarantee outcomes of personal injury, criminal, or other court matters.
However, if you are not completely satisfied within the first 30 days, or before the first Court appearance, whichever is sooner, that I am working hard on your case, then you can come get your file, or I will send it to you, and you can go hire another lawyer.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE COMPLETELY SATISFIED THAT I AM WORKING HARD ON YOUR MATTER, AND THAT YOUR CASE IS MY CAUSE.
2. 48-Hour Open Door Policy
If you feel that you need to sit down with me face-to-face to discuss your case, I WILL CLEAR MY SCHEDULE, SETTING ASIDE TIME TO MEET WITH YOU IN MY OFFICE. Even if I am in the middle of trial, I will meet with you within 48 hours.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO MEET WITH ME AT MY OFFICE, WITHIN 48 HOURS OF YOUR REQUEST, AND TO EXPECT ME TO CLEAR MY SCHEDULE, TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
3. The Lawyer You Hire Is The Lawyer Who Works on Your Case
When you hire Jon Frank and The Frank Law Firm, PC, you hire Jon Frank. You will not be shunted off to associates who are off-camera, and whose faces do not appear on websites, or TV advertising. I am the lawyer who will answer your calls.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT THAT THE LAWYER YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO HIRE, IS THE ONE WHO IS ACTUALLY WORKING ON YOUR CASE.
4. Candid Explanations in Plain Simple English
Personal injury, no-fault, and criminal matters, while commonly settled “out of court”, are ultimately matters decided “in court”, and therefore, no guarantees can be made as to outcome. Anyone who says otherwise, is not being truthful with you.
So, too, where you hire me to deed a property into trust, handle a probate matter, or anything else that I might do as your lawyer, there is a process that we must follow, and as the “paying customer”, you are entitled to understand just what that process is.
These are often complex matters that need to be explained to you, by your lawyer. Not only should your lawyer GLADLY explain the process to you, your lawyer should explain to you, in plain simple English – without formal, condescending “legalese”.
Not every lawyer is willing to give their client a full and candid explanation, for good or ill, and in plain simple English, of just what is going on with their case.
I AM.
THEREFORE, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON WITH YOUR CASE, AND TO KEEP ASKING ME TO EXPLAIN IT, UNTIL YOU DO UNDERSTAND.
Lawyers are paid to provide a service, and should not complain, when their clients ask for the service they have paid for.
5. An Idea Where Your Case is Heading
As I just mentioned, there is a process that your matter will follow, from start to finish. One of the biggest causes of client stress, is not knowing just what that process is – ahead of time. Knowing what road you will be taking, makes the trip easier, not just as a traveler on an Interstate, but also as a client in a legal matter.
THEREFORE, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW IN ADVANCE, WHERE YOUR CASE IS HEADING, AS TO:
- PROCESS AND PROCEDURE
- STRONG POINTS AND WEAK POINTS OF YOUR CASE
- DESIRED OUTCOMES
- LIKELY OUTCOMES
6. One-Day Returned Phone Call/E-Mail/Text Policy
If it is important enough for you to reach out to me, to call, e-mail, or text, it is important enough for me to return the communication, and to do so promptly.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT ME WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY, TO:
- RETURN YOUR PHONE CALL
- RETURN YOUR TEXT MESSAGE, AND/OR
- RESPOND TO YOUR E-MAIL
7. Cell Phone Access to Your Lawyer
You have just hired me to help you through one of the most sensitive, gut-wrenching episodes you will ever have in your life, as long as you live.
One of the deepest expressions of trust, one human being can give another, is to be vulnerable enough to ask for help. By hiring me as your lawyer, that is what you have done. Therefore, I make a point of giving my clients my cell phone number, so that they can contact me, day or night, 24/7/365, by phone or text message
While you ARE WELCOME TO MY CELL PHONE NUMBER, I have enabled my land lines, (586) 727-1900 and (877) FRANK-LAW (372-6552) to receive text messages. While I may not always be available to talk, I want to make it easy for you to contact me; if I am not readily available, I will get back to you, often within minutes or hours, but always within one business day.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO MY CELL PHONE NUMBER, AND TO HAVE ACCESS TO ME 24/7/365 BY CELL PHONE AND TEXT MESSAGE.
8. Constant Immediate Updating
It is bad enough to have to put your life in someone else’s hands. When you have to put your life into my hands, you have an absolute right to be kept updated as to the progress of your matter. My policy is to send a copy to you, by email, of all correspondence I send to other people (lawyers, insurance companies, prosecutors, police agencies, etc.).
Receiving copies by email, will enable you to see what I am doing on your case, as I am doing it.
I will send you email copies, usually by “blind copy”, to protect your email privacy; sometimes, I will forward to you, a previously sent email. If you do not have email, then I will send you copies of outgoing correspondence, by regular mail.
YOU HAVE AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO BE COPIED ON ALL OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE ON YOUR MATTER, BY E-MAIL, OR BY REGULAR MAIL, WHEN THAT CORRESPONDENCE IS BEING SENT.
9. You Have A Right To A Lawyer Who Will Respect Nos. 1-8 Above
If you are looking for a lawyer who can help guide you through your injury matter to a great recovery, at the earliest possible time, or someone who can help protect your rights in a drunk driving, or criminal matter, you have a right to a lawyer who will respect these rights you have as a client.
As a client, you should never have to worry or wonder if your lawyer cares about your rights as a client, or whether they respect you as a human being. You deserve, and have a right to a lawyer, who will do both.
TEXT OR CALL ME, Jon Frank, at 877-FRANK-LAW, or at (586) 727-1900, if you want me to protect your rights as a citizen – and as a client. You can email me as well, at jon@jonfranklaw.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Frequently Asked Car & Truck Accidents Questions. Michigan Based Legal Answers.
Do I Have to Go to Court? Do I Need a Lawyer?
No, but that doesn’t mean you won’t end up in court. Insurance companies will often offer a quick “lowball” settlement offer to you, before you hire a lawyer... Load complete answer.
No, but that doesn’t mean you won’t end up in court. Insurance companies will often offer a quick “lowball” settlement offer to you, before you hire a lawyer.
Rarely, if ever, will they offer you full, or even reasonable value for your claim, because they know that most folks do not know what is reasonable or full value. They are in the business of putting dollar values on injury claims, and they take advantage of the fact that most people do not have this knowledge. That is the biggest reason you need an attorney experienced in Michigan auto accident law.
Can I Get Compensation for Medical Bills & Wage Loss?
Yes. Visit our No-Fault Insurance Matters page, for more information.
Yes. Visit our No-Fault Insurance Matters page, for more information.
I Just Had a Car Accident; What Do I Do Now?
Hopefully, you went to the emergency room, or to your personal physician. Your health & well- being is the most important thing – even more important than filing a claim. Secondarily, it is important to seek medical attention to establish whether your injuries are serious or not, from a legal perspective. It is also important, so that your own insurance company cannot deny later claims, on the basis that you never sought out any post-accident medical attention.
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Hopefully, you went to the emergency room, or to your personal physician. Your health & well- being is the most important thing – even more important than filing a claim. Secondarily, it is important to seek medical attention to establish whether your injuries are serious or not, from a legal perspective. It is also important, so that your own insurance company cannot deny later claims, on the basis that you never sought out any post-accident medical attention.
Once you are stabilized, give Jon Frank a call, to see whether the other driver is at fault, and whether your injuries meet the tough Michigan injury threshold. Call as soon as possible, so Jon can begin the process of collecting evidence.
Am I Limited to The Amount of The Other Driver’s Insurance?
Not necessarily, and much will depend on how large the other driver’s limits are. It will also depend on how severe your damages are... Load complete answer.
Not necessarily, and much will depend on how large the other driver’s limits are. It will also depend on how severe your damages are.
In most non-fatal auto accidents, where there are no aggravating circumstances, such as drunk driving by the at-fault driver, we have to review carefully, the business merit in going after the at-fault driver’s personal assets. Also, his/her insurance company is not going to settle with you, unless you are willing to give their insured customer a release.
This is a very complex subject, that we will need to talk about. Give me a call
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Claim?
In most cases, there is a three year time limit, although it is NEVER a good idea to wait that long. Witnesses and evidence disappear... Load complete answer.
In most cases, there is a three year time limit, although it is NEVER a good idea to wait that long. Witnesses and evidence disappear.
In cases involving government owned vehicles (buses, police vehicles, etc), the time limit may be shorter. Also, a written “Notice of Claim” must be sent to the government agency which owned the vehicle, and that must be done, usually within 60 days of an accident. Failure to comply with complex “Notice of Claim” rules can result in good claims being lost, meaning no money to help you in your devastation and pain.
I Was Not Insured; Can I Still Collect a Money Award?
Yes, as long as you were either a passenger, or if you were driving, as long as you were not driving your own uninsured vehicle... Load complete answer.
Yes, as long as you were either a passenger, or if you were driving, as long as you were not driving your own uninsured vehicle.
Be careful about this: if you are allowed to drive someone else’s car, more than 30 days per year, you are considered a “constructive owner”, with a responsibility to insure the vehicle – even if someone else is the title owner.
What Happens If The Other Driver Was Uninsured?
If you have access to “uninsured motorist coverage”, or UM, your own insurance company will compensate you up to the limit of coverage... Load complete answer.
If you have access to “uninsured motorist coverage”, or UM, your own insurance company will compensate you up to the limit of coverage.
Because this coverage is not mandatory in Michigan, uninsured motorist insurance companies are allowed to shorten the time to make a claim, or to require “notices of claim”, and other requirements, within short periods of time after the accident. Call Jon Frank to protect your rights, when you are faced with this situation.
How Much is This Going to Cost?
I know how devastating auto accidents can be. In addition to the mounting bills, you have less and less coming in. That is why I guarantee that there will be no fee, unless I collect from the other driver’s policy.
I know how devastating auto accidents can be. In addition to the mounting bills, you have less and less coming in. That is why I guarantee that there will be no fee, unless I collect from the other driver’s policy.
What If The Other Driver’s Insurance is Not Enough to Compensate My Damages?
If you have access to “underinsured motorist coverage”, or UIM, your insurance company may provide additional coverage... Load complete answer.
If you have access to “underinsured motorist coverage”, or UIM, your insurance company may provide additional coverage.
Here too, the rules are complex. You cannot settle with the first, inadequate layer of insurance coverage, unless you get the permission of the UIM carrier. Make sure you do not undermine your own UIM rights. You need to call Jon Frank first!
I Was Partly at Fault; Can I Still Collect?
Under Michigan law, if you were less than 50% the cause of your own accident, you should still be able to collect, although a jury’s dollar award will be reduced, by the amount of your fault... Load complete answer.
Under Michigan law, if you were less than 50% the cause of your own accident, you should still be able to collect, although a jury’s dollar award will be reduced, by the amount of your fault.
For example, if you were awarded $100,000.00 by a jury, and you were found to be 40% at fault, your award will be reduced by 40%.
If you were more than 50% at fault, Michigan law prevents you from collecting. This assessment of fault is something only an experienced lawyer, like Jon Frank can provide. Call me.
PLEASE NOTE THAT EVEN IF YOU WERE MORE THAN 50% AT FAULT, JON FRANK MIGHT STILL BE ABLE TO GET YOU A CASH RECOVERY.