Westland Fatal Car Accident Lawyer: Advocating for Families After Tragedy

Understanding Deadly Car Accidents in Westland and Wayne County

Located within easy driving distance of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, and Romulus, Westland serves as a crossroads in the western metro Detroit area. The I-275 and Ford Road interchange is a hub of activity. Michigan Avenue connects with I-275 just south of Westland, making the area a busy place for travelers, workers, students, and residents.

Although Westland’s population was just over 80,000 as of the 2020 census, the city’s close relationships with Canton, Wayne, Livonia, and Dearborn Heights make it feel much larger. Wayne County remains Michigan’s most common county for vehicle accidents, including accidents that claim lives.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a Westland car accident, don’t wait. Talk to a knowledgeable Westland car accident attorney. Your lawyer can help you seek compensation so you can focus on your daily needs and your family.

The Ripple Effect of Fatal Accidents Throughout Metro Detroit

According to the Michigan State Police, 1,095 people died in Michigan traffic accidents in 2023. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) offers an even higher estimate, at 1,241 deaths, due to differences in how each department classifies causes of death.

According to the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts report, fatal car accidents were most common on county roads and city streets. A total of 574 fatal crashes occurred on county roads and city streets, while U.S. highways and Michigan state highways saw 331 fatal crashes. Another 115 deadly collisions occurred on interstate highways.

Car accidents affect Michiganders of all ages. In 2023, MDHHS recorded motor vehicle accident deaths in every age group, from infants under one year old to people over age 65. While the fatality rate in 2023 was slightly lower than in previous years, each death represents a significant loss for Michigan families.

Understanding Deadly Car Accidents in Westland and Wayne County

The Michigan State Police collects data on common causes of fatal car crashes in Michigan and various counties and cities. Common causes of deadly crashes in 2023 included drunk and drugged driving, distracted driving, and speeding.

Drunk and Drugged Driving in Westland—A Persistent Threat

In 2023, over one-quarter of all fatal crashes (26.6 percent) involved at least one person who was drinking, using drugs, or both. More specifically:

• Seventeen percent involved someone drinking, but no drug use.
• Another 12.9 percent involved drug use, but no drinking.
• Both drinking and drug use were involved in 9.6 percent.

In Westland in 2023, 46 vehicle crashes involved a driver who had been drinking. In eight separate crashes, a driver was intoxicated on other drugs.

Drunk and drugged driving among teen drivers has fallen in recent years. However, drivers under the influence of various substances still pose a substantial risk to themselves and everyone else on the road.

Distracted Driving on I-275, Michigan Avenue, and Other City Streets

Distracted driving remains a problem throughout the United States, and Michigan is no exception. In 2023, over 15,100 collisions in Michigan involved a distracted driver, causing 59 fatalities.

About 20 percent, or one in five, of all fatal distracted driving crashes involve a car drifting out of its lane and hitting someone else on the road. Distracted driving often occurs in tandem with violations of other road rules, creating particularly hazardous situations. In 2023, 59 Westland vehicle crashes involved a distracted driver.

Speeding and Reckless Behavior: When Disaster Strikes Unexpectedly

According to the Michigan State Police, in 2023, 11.7 percent of fatal Michigan collisions involved “excessive speed.” This category includes both drivers who exceed the posted speed limit and those who drive too fast to handle their vehicle safely for the road conditions. Both types of speeding contribute to fatal car accidents in Michigan each year.

Intersection Dangers: Why Westland Sees So Many Collisions

Failing to follow road rules is another common cause of fatal accidents. In 2023, about 29 percent of all fatal crashes occurred at intersections. Westland saw 943 intersection crashes in 2023, compared to 667 non-intersection crashes.

Many of these crashes occurred because one driver did not follow the rules of the road. For example, drivers running red lights caused 90 fatal collisions in Michigan in 2023.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Westland Car Accident

Car accident deaths are expensive. The Michigan State Police estimates that fatal car accidents cost Michigan residents an average of $3,600 per person per year.

However, these costs are not spread equally among residents. Instead, the families of deceased people bear the majority of these costs. A wrongful death claim can help you and your family meet these expenses and move forward after a sudden death.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim seeks compensation after someone’s negligence, recklessness, or carelessness leads to the death of another person. It can compensate the deceased person’s estate and their surviving family members for the untimely loss of their loved one.

At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., we understand the complex process and will fight on your behalf. You deserve to get justice for your loved one and seek compensation for your loss. Contact us today to discuss your situation and to start the wrongful death claim process. It’s as simple as filling out our online form or calling us to speak with a team member.

Who Has the Right To File a Wrongful Death Claim in Michigan?

Under Michigan law, a deceased person’s personal representative may file a wrongful death claim. A personal representative may be named in a deceased person’s will. If there is no will, the court can appoint a family member or anyone else it considers fit for the role.

Although the personal representative files the claim, the case usually seeks compensation for more than just the estate. The surviving spouse, children or descendants, parents, grandparents, and siblings can all seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Strict Wrongful Death Claim Deadlines: Why Acting Quickly Matters

In general, Michigan law requires a wrongful death claim to be filed within three years of death or two years after the court appoints a personal representative. However, exceptions to the three-year rule may extend or shorten the time you have to file a claim. Talk to an attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer can calculate the time limit in your case and help you ensure that you file your case before the deadline.

How To Prove Fault in Fatal Crash Cases

Like a personal injury case, a wrongful death case seeks to hold a defendant accountable when their actions cause harm to someone else. Most wrongful death cases are based on a legal theory of “negligence.” This type of claim requires the plaintiff (here, the personal representative) to prove the defendant was at fault for the death.

Most wrongful death claims use evidence and testimony to establish four points:

• The defendant had a duty to use reasonable care to prevent harm to others.
• The defendant “breached” or failed to meet that duty.
• The defendant’s breach was the actual and foreseeable cause of the deceased person’s fatal injuries.
• Those injuries caused losses that can be compensated with monetary damages.

Each case presents unique facts and challenges. The duty and breach may be obvious, but the parties might argue over the actual cause of death. Alternately, a defendant might present evidence that the deceased person was partly or totally to blame for their injuries.

Enlist the help of a dedicated Westland wrongful death lawyer to protect your legal rights. Your attorney will investigate the case, build a strong claim for compensation, and represent your interests at every stage.

Compensation for Families After a Fatal Collision in Westland

A wrongful death case seeks compensation for “damages.” Courts often split these losses into financial and non-financial losses, called “economic” and “non-economic” damages.

• Economic Damages. Examples include medical bills, lost wages, and funeral or burial expenses.
• Non-Economic Damages. Examples include the final conscious pain and suffering of the deceased person and the family’s loss of the care, companionship, and support of their loved one.

Courts and wrongful death lawyers recognize that nothing can truly compensate you for the loss of your family member or restore a lost loved one to life. However, wrongful death lawsuits can reimburse families for their expenses and other losses and provide financial security as they rebuild their lives. A verdict in favor of a grieving family can also send a message that fatal negligence will not be tolerated in Westland.

Take the First Step: Speak With a Top-Rated Westland Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Today

The sudden loss of a loved one is devastating. Your entire world changes in an instant and will never be the same. Knowing that someone else’s negligence likely caused your loved one’s death can make it that much harder to bear.

You don’t have to go through this alone. At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., our experienced Westland car accident death attorneys know how hard it is to move forward after a fatal accident. We’ll take on the tasks of pursuing compensation and protecting your legal rights so you can spend time with your loved ones. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable attorney.