A serious car accident in Detroit can create endless problems in your life. Michigan’s No-Fault insurance laws do not always help. You will have to deal with multiple insurance companies and an opposing lawyer, and none of these parties will have your best interests at heart.
Our car accident lawyers in Detroit are here to empower you. With decades of legal experience and sound advice, you’ll be well prepared for each phase of your case, ready to make the necessary decisions leading to a successful outcome and maximum recovery.
When you call a Detroit personal injury lawyer or fill out our online contact form, Christensen Law will listen to your story and help you explore your options. We have won multiple hundreds of millions for past clients, and we want to help you as well. Call us for a free consultation today.
Types of Damages Our Car Accident Lawyers in Detroit Pursue for Auto Accident Survivors
These are just a few examples of damages that might apply to your case:
- Current and future health expenses, including emergency transportation and treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care services
- Lost wages, income, and earning potential
- Travel costs and caretaker wages
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and emotional issues
- Wrongful death compensation
We do not believe in settling for the bare minimum. Our Detroit personal injury attorneys prepare for every case as though it will see the inside of a courtroom, which means we come prepared to fight – and to win.
Your expenses, losses, and emotional and physical injuries can affect you for years, so it is crucial that we secure fair compensation for you and your family for the long term.
Our Car Accident Attorneys in Detroit Will Fight for Your Fair Recovery
Insurers have a habit of “overlooking” certain damages when making settlement offers for car accidents. You can expect the first offer to only cover your most glaring and current losses.
Future needs and lost quality of life are often not included, as insurance companies want to settle fast (and for less) – their goal is to gain a quick acceptance of a low offer.
By working with the Detroit car accident lawyers from our firm, you can ensure that all of your expenses and non-economic damages are assessed and included in your final offer. We will also make certain that you receive funds to cover any future needs as well.
Our Auto Accident Lawyers Assess Your Injuries and Losses After a Detroit Car Accident
One of our most important jobs is assessing the value of your car wreck claim. Our car accident lawyers in Detroit will give you our full attention as we listen to your account of your crash and how it has affected your health, finances, ability to work, and day-to-day life.
We will use this information to understand how much compensation you need to cover your losses before helping you decide whether to accept a settlement offer. The type and extent of your car accident injuries will be key factors in this process.
Our car accident lawyers in Detroit will seek evidence from sources like the following:
- Your treating doctors and physical care team input will help determine what medical care your recovery will require and how long it will take.
- We work closely with healthcare providers, economists, vocational specialists, and life care planners to understand the current and future economic impact of your collision so we can seek the resources you need now and down the line.
- Your own testimony and recollections will tell us a lot about how the traffic accident has affected your life. Christensen Law views understanding client testimony as one of our most crucial tasks.
What Types of Car Accident Injuries Could We Represent?
Car accidents in Detroit can result in minor, severe, or even catastrophic injuries, each of which can have a significant impact on your life. Some of the most common injuries our clients experience include:
- Broken bones and fractures: Often affecting the arms, legs, ribs, and even the skull, these injuries can require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Whiplash and neck injuries: Soft tissue injuries are common in rear-end collisions and can cause long-term pain and mobility issues – as well as TBIs.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Concussions and other head injuries have widespread impacts and can cause cognitive impairments, memory loss, and even permanent disability.
- Spinal cord damage: Severe back injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting your ability to work and perform daily activities.
- Internal organ injuries: These injuries, including internal bleeding, are frequently life-threatening and require emergency surgery.
- Emotional trauma: Anxiety, depression, and PTSD are common after a serious accident and can severely impact your mental health and quality of life.
Rest assured, our Detroit car accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case to pursue every possible form of compensation. We are committed to maximizing your recovery and holding the responsible parties accountable for the full extent of your losses.
From medical bills to home modifications, we will secure the resources you need to rebuild your life after a devastating accident. We know how to use medical records, police reports, and witness statements to build a strong auto accident injury claim on your behalf.
Our Detroit Car Accident Lawyers Get Real Results
We have a long track record of securing major outcomes for injured clients and families in some of the most challenging motor vehicle accident cases. Our results reflect diligent investigation, strategic litigation, and a commitment to fighting for the full value of every claim.
Here’s a look at some of the significant outcomes we have secured for clients:
- $17.8 million: Verdict for a client who suffered catastrophic injuries in a serious car accident, leaving her unable to live independently, awarded after an eight-day trial for lost wages and pain and suffering.
- $9.5 million: Recovery for a motorcyclist who was struck by a car crossing the center line, resulting in a hip-level leg amputation and multiple severe fractures and internal injuries.
- $6 million: Award for wrongful death of client hit head-on by inattentive and impaired driver of company truck.
- $4.4 million: Settlement for client with life-long injuries incurred in head-on collision with an inattentive driver of a company truck.
- $3.3 million: Settlement for client sustaining life-long injuries in accident caused by negligent truck driver of a company vehicle.
- $3 million: Award for client with life-long injuries when run over in a parking lot by negligent driver of a company vehicle.
- $4.197 million: Award for an accomplished college student injured as a passenger when the driver ran a stop sign at 50 mph, resulting in significant non-economic damages after seven years of litigation.
- $3.2 million: Settlement for a Grand Rapids couple hit head-on, where the wife tragically died and the husband sustained severe injuries including a collapsed lung, broken leg, spinal fractures, and multiple broken ribs.
- $2 million: Jury verdict for a 29-year-old heating/air conditioning technician who suffered a brain injury in a car crash and could return to work only part-time after more than a year of rehabilitation.
These results demonstrate the level of advocacy and persistence we bring to every case, no matter how hard the insurance company fights back. When injured clients trust us with their claims, we work tirelessly to pursue the maximum compensation available under Michigan law.
Christensen Law Puts Our Car Accident Injury Clients First
Our lawyers and staff will do everything possible to get the awards you deserve, so we prepare each case as though it will go to trial. We will not accept an auto accident settlement that is less than you need just to reach a quick resolution or avoid legal action.
Many firms are simply not prepared to go to trial – they lack the experience and expertise required to succeed in the courtroom. It is a highly trained attorney who can effectively tell your story, cross-examine witnesses and experts, and compel a jury and/or judge in your favor.
Many high-volume firms choose to settle quickly to generate revenue – our goal is to minimize the financial impact of your car accident and secure your financial future – even if that means going to trial. Call Christensen Law today to get a free case review from a member of our team.
Our Detroit Clients Pay Nothing Up Front
To further assist our clients during an already difficult time, we take cases on contingency. We charge nothing up front or out of pocket and only collect a fee if and when we win on your behalf.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by trusting in our Detroit personal injury attorneys’ experience and knowledge.
Our Car Accident Lawyers in Detroit Will File Your Claim on Time
You should file claims with your insurer or against an at-fault party as soon as possible. According to Michigan Laws Ann. § 600.5805, you have three years from your accident or your loved one‘s passing to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
We know that acting quickly may seem daunting while recovering from an injury. Let Christensen Law take the pressure off your shoulders. Our auto accident lawyers in Detroit can:
- Investigate your accident
- Build your claim
- Prepare and file the needed paperwork in a timely fashion, freeing you to focus on your health or your injured loved one
- Work through your claim to secure fair compensation before the statute of limitations expires (when you can no longer begin legal action)
Hiring Our Car Accident Injury Law Firm Provides Peace of Mind
With representation from our lawyers, you do not have to deal with managing your case. We will handle every detail and make sure your story is heard. We know how challenging it can be to deal with insurers while recovering, so let us protect your right to recovery.
Dealing with No-Fault Car Accident Insurance in a Detroit Car Accident Claim
Because Michigan is a No-Fault state for auto insurance, you must file a claim with your own insurance policy before seeking compensation from an at-fault party.
No-Fault personal injury protection (PIP) plans allow you to start collecting damages without worrying about who was at fault for the crash. However, this does not mean you will receive the full car accident or truck accident compensation to which you are entitled.
Our Car Accident Lawyers in Detroit Will Deal With the Insurance Companies
Whether you have a fairly comprehensive PIP plan or only have the minimum required by state law, the insurer will likely pay you the bare minimum they believe they can get away with. The Detroit auto accident attorneys at Christensen Law will handle these negotiations so you are not treated this way.
When Can You Pursue a Car Accident Lawsuit in Michigan?
In some car crash cases, you can seek compensation beyond what your PIP offers. For example, you can seek compensation from the negligent party if your case meets certain criteria:
- The at-fault party owed you a duty of care. In car wreck cases, this often refers to the responsibility all drivers have to obey traffic laws.
- The at-fault party did not fulfill their duty of care. Perhaps they were speeding down I-75 or ran through a stop sign at a corner by your house.
- The at-fault party’s failure directly contributed to your accident.
- The accident directly contributed to your serious injuries and losses.
Changes to Michigan’s No-Fault Law That Can Affect Your Detroit Car Accident Claim
In July 2020, Michigan implemented significant changes to its No-Fault auto insurance law, which can have a substantial impact on Detroit car accident claims. These changes affect various aspects of the claims process, including PIP benefits, tort liability, and medical coverage.
It is essential for Detroit residents to understand these changes and how they may influence their ability to seek compensation after a car accident. Our Detroit personal injury lawyers will explain everything in detail, including:
Levels of PIP Coverage Required by State Auto Insurance Laws
One of the most notable changes is the introduction of different levels of PIP coverage. Before the reform, all Michigan drivers were required to carry unlimited lifetime PIP benefits.
Under Michigan’s new auto insurance law, drivers can choose from six levels of PIP insurance coverage, ranging from unlimited to opting out entirely if they have qualifying health insurance. This change allows drivers to potentially lower their insurance premiums but may also limit the benefits available to them if they are injured in an accident.
The Fee Schedule for Medical Services
The new law also introduces a fee schedule for medical services related to auto accident injuries. This means that medical providers will be limited in the amount they can charge for certain services, which could potentially impact the quality or availability of care for injured victims.
Additionally, family-provided attendant care is now limited to 56 hours per week, which may create hardships for families caring for severely injured loved ones.
How the Insurance Company May Challenge Your Personal Injury Claim in Detroit, MI
Even your own No-Fault insurer will prioritize its profit margins over your well-being. Given the changes to Michigan state law and the insurer’s determination to save money, you may want to consult with our Detroit auto accident attorneys.
We help victims understand their rights under the revised law, face the claims process, and fight for compensation.
Determining Who Caused Your Detroit Car Crash
If you qualify to file a wrongful death or personal injury claim, our Detroit accident lawyers will identify everyone at fault.
Our Detroit car accident attorneys will also identify the cause of the crash and collect evidence to support your claim, including witness statements, available surveillance or dashcam video, and police reports from the Detroit Police Department.
The following are some examples of negligence that may warrant a claim:
- Distracted driving, such as cell phone use and eating while behind the wheel
- Intoxication, whether from drunk driving, using drugs, or medication
- Reckless driving, such as speeding and not staying in the correct lane
- Road defects, such as potholes and steep shoulder drop-offs
Trying to obtain proof of liability and argue about who was at fault alone can be difficult. Many car accident victims are exhausted and overwhelmed and do not have the resources to fight for what they are owed.
If you have Christensen Law on your side, you do not have to worry about missing valuable compensation. Our team knows what it takes to succeed, and we will fight for what you need.
Getting Compensation in a Detroit Car Accident Claim When Shared Fault Is Involved
Even if you are partly at fault for the car accident, you may still be able to obtain financial compensation for your injuries and damages.
This is because Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence rule, outlined in Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.2959, when determining liability and awarding damages in car accident cases.
Under Michigan’s modified comparative negligence system, fault is apportioned among the parties involved in the accident based on their respective degrees of negligence:
- If you are found to be partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
- If you are determined to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you will be barred from recovering certain kinds of compensation from the other party.
Wrongful Death and Detroit Car Accidents
According to the first page of a Michigan State Police (MSP) report, there were over 1,000 fatal traffic crashes in Michigan in 2023. Fatal car accidents may occur for any number of reasons, including if:
- The car rolls over: A vehicle flipping onto its top is likely to result in serious head trauma for those inside. There is also a very real, potentially deadly possibility that occupants will be ejected from the vehicle.
- The responsible driver was impaired: Alcohol or other substances were involved in over a quarter of all fatal collisions.
- The responsible driver was aggressive: The MSP report shows that a majority of deadly car accidents result from aggressive behaviors, which include speeding, failing to yield, or otherwise ignoring public safety.
If you lost someone in a car crash, we can help you pursue justice by seeking a fair auto accident settlement for medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of financial support, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship.
Our Detroit Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Will Spare No Resources for You
The injuries and losses caused by an auto accident can threaten your finances and future well-being. Get the compensation you deserve by working with our top-rated Detroit car accident trial attorneys.
Since 1991, our lawyers have been helping Michiganders by providing timely, actionable legal advice. After your crash, we’ll be there to help – after the police and your doctors – and to talk with you about what happened. We’re here to advise you from the outset – please give us a call so we can prepare you for the next steps.
FAQ: Our Detroit Attorneys Can Answer Your Car Accident Questions
At Christensen Law, we ensure that every client knows their legal rights and options for pursuing justice. We want to make certain that you get answers to all of your questions.
If you do not see your concern discussed here, feel free to call us on 248.900.9000 to speak with a Detroit car accident lawyer or one of our intake specialists about your car, motorcycle, or truck accident.
Can Your PIP Policy Cover Anyone Else Involved in the Car Accident?
You have the option of selecting a PIP plan that covers both yourself and others in your household. You will want to review both your own health insurance policy and your loved ones’ policies to help you select the PIP plan that is right for you, as there are very specific qualifying circumstances that may apply.
Will You Have to Go to Court for a Car Accident in Detroit?
That depends on how the insurance companies respond to your case. If they are unwilling to negotiate, we can represent you at trial, but many cases do not get that far.
Nevertheless, our accident injury attorneys act as though every case will go to trial. We are always prepared for that, no matter what happens.
Are You Automatically at Fault in a Single-Car Accident?
No. Our legal team will still need to investigate your accident to find out if a third party, such as a careless bicyclist or a negligent government agency, may have contributed to your crash.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Detroit?
After a car accident in Detroit, call 911, seek medical help, and document the scene with photos, videos, and witness details. Get contact information for all parties involved and witnesses.
Don’t admit liability or even discuss the incident with your insurance company before speaking to a Detroit car accident lawyer from Christensen Law.
The motor vehicle accident attorneys at our law firm will protect your rights and guide you through your next steps.
Get a Free Consultation 24/7 With Our Detroit Auto Accident Attorneys
You do not have to deal with a car crash and the medical bills that follow alone. Christensen Law is here to make certain that you do not become an insurance company’s low payout.
Our car accident lawyers in Detroit, MI, can help you determine who was at fault, prove your claim, and obtain the full compensation you deserve.
To meet with our dedicated car accident law firm team, just call us to schedule a free consultation today. You pay nothing until we win! For more information about car accidents and personal injury cases, visit our FAQ page now.
