Dearborn Car Accident Injury Lawyers

Car accidents are shockingly common in Michigan. This is particularly true of Dearborn and other Metro Detroit communities, where tens of thousands of motor vehicle accidents occur every year. When drivers obey the rules of the road, they dramatically reduce the risk of serious injury or death. Unfortunately, not all drivers on Dearborn roadways engage in safe driving practices.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, you may find yourself fighting with insurance companies or wondering how to hold another driver accountable. The experienced Dearborn car accident injury lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. are here to answer your questions and help you obtain the compensation and justice you deserve.

Car Accident Injury Rates in Michigan

Due to its concentrated population of Michigan residents, businesses, and vehicles, Wayne County sees the highest rate of vehicle crashes in Michigan.

In 2020, Wayne County saw a total of 44,017 car accidents – nearly 50 percent more than neighboring Oakland County and 66 percent more than Macomb or Kent Counties. That same year, 234 people died in Wayne County car accidents, and 10,581 people were injured.

The deadliest driving behaviors in Michigan in 2020 included:

• Speeding. Exceeding the speed limit was connected to 190 fatal car crashes in Michigan in 2020. Excessive speed was also connected to injuries in 5,469 car crashes.
• Failing to Yield. When a vehicle fails to yield the right of way, serious injuries and death may result. In 2020, failure to yield caused 105 fatal crashes and 9,302 injuries.
• Reckless Driving. Excessive speed, weaving in and out of traffic, distracted driving, and other reckless actions demonstrate a disregard for the safety of others on the road. Reckless driving was linked to 112 fatal crashes and 970 injury-causing crashes in 2020.

Not all car crashes are fatal, but even non-fatal accidents can cause permanent and debilitating injuries. The top causes of injury crashes in Michigan in 2020 included:

• Unable to Stop. Whether through icy or snowy conditions, vehicle failure, or other causes, drivers who couldn’t control their vehicle well enough to brake safely caused 8,987 injury-related crashes in Michigan in 2020.
• Disregarding Traffic Control. Running red lights or stop signs, crossing into opposing traffic, and failing to follow traffic control signals led to 3,971 injury crashes in 2020.
• Careless Driving. Distracted driving, fatigued driving, and similar careless behaviors caused 3,148 injuries in Michigan car accidents in 2020, according to the Michigan State Police.

Data from the Michigan State Police (MSP) reveals that some car crashes are more common than others. Single-vehicle crashes were the most common in 2020, totaling 96,821 of all Michigan vehicle accidents.

In crashes involving two or more vehicles, the most common types of collisions include:

• Rear-end crashes. 50,776 rear-end accidents in Michigan in 2020 caused 74 deaths and 10,187 injuries.
• Angle crashes. Incidents in which one car hit another at an angle caused 190 deaths and 11,279 injuries in Michigan in 2020.
• Sideswipe – same direction. One vehicle sideswiping another vehicle as both traveled in the same direction caused 27,586 crashes, 21 deaths, and 2,508 injuries in Michigan in 2020.

The most common type of crash that caused non-fatal injuries was a head-on collision, as one vehicle made a left turn. While only 5,566 such crashes occurred in Michigan in 2020, 2,288 of those accidents left at least one person injured – more than 41 percent of the total. In 43 of these accidents, at least one person lost their life.

Types of Car Accident Injuries

Car crash injuries range from mild to severe, and many can be deadly. Anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident may suffer multiple injuries, including emotional and psychological trauma. Some of the most common types of car accident injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

About 30 percent of all traumatic brain injuries suffered in Michigan each year occur in car accidents, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). In 2021, over 200 people died in Michigan because of traumatic brain injuries suffered in a vehicle crash.

Back, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injuries

Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries may range from strains, bruising, or cracked bones to a spinal cord severing that results in partial or total paralysis. These injuries are among the most expensive and difficult to treat. Spinal cord injuries are also likely to result in permanent disabilities requiring intensive medical care and ongoing treatment.

Broken Bones

Bones may break if they encounter more force than the bone tissue can withstand. During a car crash, the impact of the collision or the force of any body part colliding with a part of the vehicle or another object can result in broken bones. Some fractures are severe, requiring surgery and an extended healing period. In some cases, a severe break results in long-lasting or permanent problems with mobility, disfigurement, or chronic pain.

Burn Injuries

Vehicle collisions can cause burn injuries that may occur in several different ways. Common sources of burn injuries in Michigan car accidents include:

• Thermal burns if any part of the vehicle overheats or catches fire in the crash.
• Electrical burns if part of the vehicle’s wiring becomes exposed or malfunctions, exposing drivers, passengers, or others to a live electrical current.
• Friction burns, or “road rash,” may occur if a person is thrown from a vehicle or skids along the pavement during a collision.

Burns are typically painful and expensive to treat and may require extensive time in hospitals and recovery centers. Burn injuries also frequently lead to scarring or disfigurement.

Internal Injuries

Organ damage, soft tissue damage, and internal bleeding are common car accident injuries. They may accompany other injuries, such as broken bones, or they may occur without signs of damage to other body structures. Internal injuries can cause dangerous blood loss and organ impairment. In certain cases, internal structures are damaged so badly that organs must be removed or replaced.

Amputation of Severely Injured Limbs

For some car accident victims, the damage to one or more limbs is so severe it requires amputation. Amputation permanently changes the way an injured person can perform daily activities. Rehabilitation, learning to use orthotics, and adapting to life without one or more limbs can severely alter the victim’s quality of life.

Mental and Emotional Trauma

Not all injuries from car crashes are physical. Mental and emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, are common occurrences after a car crash. These conditions may require treatment to alleviate suffering and restore normal function.

Insurance and Car Accident Injury Claims in Michigan

Michigan is a no-fault auto insurance state. This means most auto accident claims, including injury claims, are handled by insurance coverage rather than culminating in courtroom trials. Insurance companies must step up and meet their obligations, no matter who is at fault for an accident. In exchange, Michigan drivers are required to carry minimum auto insurance coverage.

Because insurance companies are involved in Michigan car accident injury cases from the start, injury victims need insurers to do their jobs quickly and correctly. When insurance companies create unnecessary delays or wrongfully refuse to pay the benefits listed in the policy, injury victims suffer.

Insurance-related car accident injury claims can be complex. Disputes may arise over multiple benefits, including:

• Coverage for medical expenses.
• Coverage for home care and rehabilitation expenses, including medical equipment, attendant care, or physical therapy.
• Payment of personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, such as coverage for lost wages while you heal from your injuries.
• Payment of replacement services costs if a family member must step in to cover chores and other tasks on your behalf.

Our experienced Dearborn car accident injury lawyers understand how Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws work. At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., we are dedicated to helping clients navigate insurance negotiations and obtain the compensation they deserve in a timely manner.

Talk to an Experienced Dearborn Car Accident Injury Lawyer Today

Michigan car accident laws can be complex. If you have questions or struggle to get the insurance benefits you deserve after an accident, talk to an experienced Dearborn car accident attorney today. The legal team at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. provides skilled, compassionate representation. We’re dedicated to fighting for the compensation our clients deserve. To learn more, reach out today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.