David Givskud

A client-first approach, David’s approach to representing his wrongfully injured clients is summed up easily according to him: I advocate for each and every client as if they were my own family and as if they were my only client. That means using every ounce of my previous experience and current drive to obtain the results my injured clients deserve. Being injured can be a devastating life event. I take pride and consider it a privilege to help guide clients through their challenging times and to pursue damages on their behalf.

David frequently receives endorsements from former clients who have told him that they appreciate just how personable he is, how fast they can get in touch with him, and how he assisted with their injury case.

David lives in Grand Haven, Michigan, with his wife and three children. David enjoys all outdoor activities, particularly running Grand Haven’s roads, hiking pathways, and beaches.

Pre-lawsuit settlement of $1,500,000 in Oceana County, involving commercial vehicle and motorcycle.  Commercial truck driver was under the influence of cocaine when he negligently crossed the center line and hit the client and caused this catastrophic accident. Immediate steps were taken to secure all evidence in the case, which ultimately left the insurance company of the truck, with no other option other than to settle the case. Believed to the be the largest auto injury settlement in Oceana County in 2024.

$495,000 settlement for 17-year-old minor against driver that t-boned vehicle in Cedar Springs, Michigan, resulting in numerous spinal fractures and facial fractures.  Initially, the family of the minor tried for over a year to settle this case on their own, collecting all of the medical records, medical bills, and submitting to interviews. The insurance company of the at-fault vehicle refused to offer more than $180,000.  Finally, clients called Attorney Givskud and within 6 months, the case settled for just under the $500,000 insurance policy limits of the at-fault driver. 

$475,000 settlement against Dean Transportation Bus that rear-ended client’s vehicle in Kalamazoo, Michigan, causing client to suffer severe back and neck injuries, which required extensive therapy and neck surgery.  Prior to the accident, client only had two years left until he retired. Working with the client and his wife, a strong offensive litigation strategy set in place the ground work for a large settlement against Dean Transportation’s insurance company.

$275,000 settlement obtained for motorcyclist that was rear-ended by a government vehicle. Client was thrown 50-feet and taken to the hospital and later had to endure significant physical therapy and pain injections in order to return to his prior employment. Frequent meetings with client at his home helped attorney and client agree on a litigation strategy that ultimately resulted in a mutual agreement by the parties to settle the case before trial.

$225,000 settlement obtained for an automobile accident that occurred on 8th Street in Holland, Michigan, when a motor vehicle, driven by a 91-year-old woman lost control and crashed into vehicle client was standing next to. Client sustained numerous injuries, including injuries to her right ankle which required surgery and the temporary placement of a plate.  Initial offer pre-lawsuit was $50,000.  Following months of discovery in the case, the insurance company tendered $225,000 of the $250,000 insurance policy of the driver.

$195,000 settlement where 89-year-old client sustained injuries to her back and left shoulder after she was hit walking to her car in the parking lot of her elderly care facility in Portage, Michigan. Client endured nearly two years of physical therapy and was still not 100%.  Driver initially denied all liability, and was not found at fault by the police. FOIA’d police body-cam footage along with accident reconstructionist testimony, resulted in the insurance company of the driver agreeing the driver was at fault and them agreeing to settle the case for $195K based on client’s injuries and therapy.

$150,000 settlement against subsidiary delivery company for Amazon, that ran a stop sign and caused 85-year-old client to suffer from regular migraines, which he had never suffered from previously.  Meeting with client at his home on a regular basis, attorney obtained a strong understanding of how client’s day-to-day living had been negatively affected by his post-concussion symptoms.  This relationship and understanding of the injuries, along with client’s medical records, led to the insurance company to settle case prior to trial.

$150,000 settlement stemming from Muskegon Heights t-bone auto accident caused by negligent driver that ran a red light. Despite the fact that client had ongoing pre-existing back pain prior to the auto accident, attorney utilized client’s deposition testimony, and client’s medical records, to show that accident aggravated client’s pre-existing back injury, causing him new pain, which was severe at times.

$100,000 settlement against Delivery Company that ran a stop sign and caused client to sustain a left shoulder rotator cuff tear.  An avid swimmer before the accident, client spent a month in physical therapy before deciding on surgery.  18 months after the accident, client has returned to swimming, and his case was settled.

$75,000 settlement for 24-year-old client that was hit on electric scooter in cross walk in downtown Grand Rapids. Client sustained injuries to her shoulders and back, which required over 18 months of physical therapy, and pain injections.  In the police report, the Grand Rapids Police initially found client on scooter to be at fault for the accident.  Evidence later obtained by attorney, including that negligent driver had been drinking, ultimately led to client agreeing to settle her claims for $75,000.

$60,000 settlement for cyclist that sustained a fractured collarbone. Although client recovered fully without surgery and was riding again within 9 months after the accident, client provided detailed deposition testimony about the trauma of being hit off his bike and then having to endure months of physical therapy to regain his strength.  This testimony, as well as a focus on client’s post-accident physical struggles, led to the insurance company to settle the case prior to trial.

$60,000 settlement for dog bite, where client had showed up at family members house and a dog jumped over the top of the fence and bit his right arm, causing a need for a tourniquet and trip by ambulance to the Emergency Room. Attorney obtained all prior dog bite reports, and utilized this information along with client’s medical records depicting injuries, in order to secure a settlement.

Military: Prior to becoming an attorney, David served in the United States Air Force as an Imagery Analyst in an Air Intelligence Unit, with his focus of operations in the Middle East. David still applies the main lessons he learned in the military: how to stay focused under stressful conditions and to never lose sight of his primary goals.  

Assistant District Attorney in Boston: Following his military service David obtained his law degree and thereafter worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Boston, Massachusetts. During his years as an Assistant District Attorney, David worked years in Boston courtrooms prosecuting hundreds of felonies. From embezzlement cases, to dangerous assault, to drug distribution cases, David was never afraid to take a matter to trial. In his time as an ADA, David gained significant trial experience that is the foundation of his legal practice today. Indeed, when a personal injury client’s case cannot be settled David is not only willing to take the matter to trial before a Michigan jury, David has proven he is capable as well.

Insurance Defense: David has a unique background that sets him apart from most plaintiff injury lawyers in Michigan in that he has nearly a decade’s worth experience defending and advising numerous Michigan Insurance Companies. Having settled millions of dollars of injury claims for Michigan insurance companies David has an enormous edge on his fellow plaintiff injury attorneys whom may never had the benefit of knowing what insurance companies are thinking when considering an injury claim. The value of David’s experience is ultimately passed down to his clients.

Grand Valley State University: Bachelor of Science, Double Major in Economics and History. 

Law School: Northeastern University School of Law, Boston, MA

Having previously been named to Michigan Super Lawyers^®, a peer nomination award, David has developed an outstanding reputation amongst his legal peers across Michigan as a tireless litigator that has consistently obtained excellent results for his clients.