Detroit Car Accident Attorney

A car accident inflicts physical injuries and emotional distress. You also face financial disruption from medical bills and an inability to work.

Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws provide a path to recover compensation after a crash. An attorney from our firm can explain your rights and provide legal guidance.

Our car accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers investigate crashes, compile evidence, and pursue the full compensation available under the law.

Why Choose Our Detroit Car Accident Lawyers

After a car accident, you need more than just any lawyer. You deserve an advocate who understands Detroit’s unique laws and standards. Work with a car accident attorney who’ll preserve your right to compensation.

At Michigan Injury Lawyers, our car accident lawyers have represented injured victims since 2008, which gives us the skills and confidence to protect your legal rights. Rest assured, our car accident lawyers will work hard to obtain a fair settlement value.

Understanding Michigan's Complicated No-Fault Car Accident Law

Michigan operates under a no-fault auto insurance system. After an accident, you first turn to your own insurance policy for compensation for your economic losses, regardless of who caused the crash. These are called first-party benefits or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.

You may only file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver (a third-party claim) under specific circumstances. To recover damages for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet a legal standard, such as a serious impairment of body function. You may also sue the at-fault driver for economic damages that exceed your PIP coverage.

Compensation for Car Accidents

You can initiate a personal injury claim or lawsuit to obtain compensation for your injury-related losses.

Some of the damages you can receive in a car accident include:

Medical Expenses

You may incur medical expenses as you recover from the injuries. Medical expenses represent a significant share of your losses in a car accident.

These damages cover the following losses:

• Medication
• Physical therapy
• Diagnostic tests
• Hospital bills
• Surgeries
• Physician bill
• Rehabilitation

Our car accident attorneys can use medical records to prove your injuries and support your compensation claim.

Lost Income

Injuries sustained in a car accident can often lead to missed workdays, impacting your ability to earn a living. Lost income damages in a car accident claim cover the income you could not earn due to your injuries.

Lost income includes regular salary, commissions, tips, bonuses, overtime, vacation, and other benefits you could have earned.

These damages may also extend to any future lost earning capacity if your injuries result in long-term or permanent disability affecting your ability to work.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

A car accident can also result in various out-of-pocket expenses.

Here are examples of out-of-pocket expenses in a car accident:

• Transportation costs to and from medical appointments
• Over-the-counter medications
• Home and vehicle modifications due to permanent disability
• Childcare expenses
• Special medical supplies
• Co-pay expenses

Our car accident lawyers can use bank statements, profit and loss statements, and medical records to prove out-of-pocket expenses.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical and emotional distress caused by the car accident. These damages are often challenging to quantify as they encompass the pain, discomfort, trauma, and inconvenience you experienced as a result of the accident.

For example, you may be entitled to pain and suffering damages if an injury has triggered chronic pain for weeks, months, or years after the accident.

Our car accident attorneys can prove pain and suffering damages using the following:

• Medical records
• Eyewitness statements from friends and family
• Documentation from a therapist or psychiatrist
• A journal that documents emotional state, pain level, or sleep disruption.

Mental Anguish

A car accident may also harm your mental well-being. Mental anguish damages compensate you for the psychological effects of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, fear, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

For example, you may experience depression, sleep disruption, or anxiety after learning you’ll be permanently disabled.

Loss of Consortium

You may be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium if a car accident results in the loss or inability to maintain a normal relationship with a spouse. This type of damage recognizes the impact of the accident on your relationships and the emotional toll it can take on your family.

Reduced Quality of Life

A car accident can have long-lasting effects on your quality of life, including limitations in mobility, independence, and overall well-being. Reduced quality of life damages seek to compensate you for the diminished enjoyment of life and the inability to engage in activities you once enjoyed due to accident-related injuries.

You may be entitled to compensation if a spinal cord injury prevents you from participating in nature walks, your favorite hobby.

Permanent Disability

In cases where a car accident results in permanent disabilities or impairments, you can initiate a compensation claim for permanent disability. These damages consider the long-term consequences of your injuries and aim to provide financial support for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and adjustments needed for your new way of life.

Our car accident attorneys can use rehabilitation specialists, medical experts, and life care planners to demonstrate your condition and its long-term impact.

Punitive Damages

A judge or jury may award you punitive damages when the at-fault party’s actions were reckless or intentional. Punitive damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

These damages are not awarded in every case but may apply in extreme negligence or misconduct.

Where Do Car Accidents Occur in Detroit

Although a car accident can occur in any part of Detroit, road users and motorists are vulnerable on specific roads.

Here are the specific roads where car accidents occur in Detroit:

• Interstate 94 (I-94): This major east-west freeway that cuts through the heart of Detroit sees a high volume of traffic daily, leading to an increased risk of accidents. With multiple lanes and interchanges, speeding and congestion are common factors contributing to collisions on I-94.
• Gratiot Avenue: As one of Detroit’s primary thoroughfares, Gratiot Avenue can become a hotspot for car accidents, especially during rush hours. The mix of commercial areas, residential neighborhoods, and varying speed limits along Gratiot increases the rate of accidents.
• Woodward Avenue: Known for being one of Detroit’s oldest and busiest roads, Woodward Avenue poses significant risks for drivers. The road’s historical significance and numerous attractions along the route attract locals and tourists, leading to heightened traffic and the potential for accidents.
• Michigan Avenue: Michigan Avenue is a major transportation route in Detroit, connecting the downtown area with the western suburbs. The mix of businesses, residential areas, and diverse traffic patterns on Michigan Avenue can create hazardous conditions for drivers, increasing the likelihood of car accidents.

Detroit Car Accident Lawyer

Whether you suffered an injury in a distracted driving, speeding, or impaired driving accident, working with our experienced car accident lawyers can make all the difference. At Michigan Injury Lawyers, our skilled Detroit car accident attorneys can protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

We can represent you if you sustain an injury in any of the following accidents:

• Rear-End Collisions: Often caused by distracted or tailgating drivers, rear-end collisions can result in severe back and neck injuries, including whiplash injuries. Our car accident attorneys can initiate a compensation claim against the negligent party.
• T-Bone Accidents: Also known as side-impact collisions, T-bone accidents commonly occur at intersections and can lead to severe injuries due to the limited protection on the sides of vehicles.
• Rollover Crashes: These accidents are hazardous and can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities, often caused by high-speed or sharp turns.
• Head-On Collisions: Head-on collisions can lead to devastating injuries due to the force of impact.
• Hit-and-run Accidents: If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, our car accident attorneys can handle the legal aspects of your claim and seek compensation for your injuries.
• Multi-Vehicle Accidents: Complex cases involving multiple vehicles require our skilled car accident attorneys to unravel the various factors contributing to the accident and determine liability.
• Drunk Driving Accidents: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lead to devastating accidents, and our car accident attorneys are effective in handling these cases.

Our car accident lawyers can also represent you if you sustain different types of injuries, including:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash injuries
• Chest injuries
• Head and brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Cuts
• Burns

Fighting the Insurance Company

The at-fault party’s insurer is the source of compensation for the injured victim. Even so, many insurers play down your injuries by rejecting your claim or making a low settlement offer. You can level the playing field by working with our car accident lawyers.

Here’s how our car accident attorneys can fight an insurer:

Negotiation Skills

Our car accident attorneys are adept negotiators and understand insurance companies’ tactics to undervalue or deny claims. They know how to leverage evidence, such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements, to build a strong case on your behalf.

They can push back against low settlement offers and strive for fair compensation for injuries and damages. They can also establish the value of your damages to enhance their ability to negotiate for a fair settlement value.

Legal Knowledge

Representing an injured victim in a car accident requires a deep understanding of laws and regulations specific to Detroit, MI. Our car accident attorneys stay up-to-date on the latest statutes and case precedents, giving them the insight to craft compelling legal arguments.

Whether interpreting insurance policies or challenging liability determinations, their deep legal knowledge can help tip the scales in your favor when facing off against insurance companies.

Litigation Skills

In some cases, insurance companies may refuse to cooperate or offer reasonable settlements. When negotiations hit a standstill, our car accident lawyer’s readiness to take your case to court can be a game-changer.

They are seasoned litigators, prepared to advocate for you before a judge and jury.

Their courtroom experience and trial skills can make insurers think twice about prolonging the legal battle, motivating them to reconsider their position and potentially leading to a more favorable outcome for you.

They can also represent you if the at-fault party files an appeal that objects to your compensation award.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Your actions after a car accident can enhance your wellness and protect your legal rights.

Here’s what to do after a car accident:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Seeking immediate medical attention after a car accident can protect your health and legal case. Many serious injuries, including concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage, may not show symptoms immediately due to adrenaline and shock.

A healthcare provider will discover hidden injuries and initiate a treatment plan. They will also document your injuries, creating a paper trail linking them directly to the accident. Our car accident lawyers can use medical records to demonstrate your injuries and losses.

Delayed treatment gives insurers grounds to argue your injuries weren’t accident-related or are less severe than claimed.

Consult Our Car Accident Lawyers

Speak with our car accident attorneys as soon as possible after a crash. We evaluate the details of your case and advise you on the best path forward.

Michigan law sets strict deadlines for filing accident claims.

• One-Year Deadline for PIP Benefits: You must provide written notice of your claim to your own no-fault insurance company within one year of the accident. Failure to meet this deadline may result in a complete denial of your benefits.
• Three-Year Deadline for Lawsuits: You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Our attorneys understand these critical timelines. We work to ensure you file all claims and lawsuits on time to protect your right to compensation.

Detroit Car Accident FAQs

Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Today

You’re likely to face a worsening quality of life after being injured in a car accident. For example, post-traumatic stress disorder can prevent you from attending social events. You, therefore, deserve compensation for your injury-related losses.

Our car accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers will tirelessly fight to protect your rights. We can handle everything, including facing insurers, identifying the liable parties, and maximizing the settlement value.

You can count on us to handle the legal aspects as you focus on recovery. Contact us online or at (313) 438-4357 for your free consultation.