Farmington Hills Car Accident Lawyers

Whether you’re commuting to work on Orchard Lake Road or running errands near Twelve Mile, there’s always the risk you’ll be involved in a collision. The aftermath of a car accident can feel overwhelming. Medical bills pile up, while insurance companies ask questions and pressure you to accept a settlement to manage your debts. You may not know how to ensure you can afford medical care and protect your family.

The Farmington Hills car accident lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C., understand what you’re going through. We recognize that ensuring your financial stability is essential to helping you heal and rebuild your life. For more than 45 years, our firm has helped clients across Oakland County navigate the complexities of recovering fair compensation after a crash.

Car Accidents in Farmington Hills

More than 84,000 people live in Farmington Hills. Around 80 percent of its residents commute to jobs across Metro Detroit, ensuring a steady stream of traffic on the city’s roadways. In 2024, there were 2,672 reported crashes in and around Farmington Hills, resulting in three fatalities, 20 serious injuries, and 156 minor injuries.

One of the most dangerous intersections in Oakland County is the convergence of Orchard Lake Road and 14 Mile Road. This roundabout had 109 accidents in 2024, resulting in five injuries. Another notably dangerous location is the intersection at Orchard Lake Road and 12 Mile Road, where 65 total crashes and 16 injuries occurred. The city’s proximity to I-696, its mix of residential and commercial districts, and high-traffic areas like these increase the risk of accidents.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Farmington Hills

• Distracted driving. Smartphones, GPS, and computerized controls pull a driver’s attention away from the road. Distracted driving is now one of the leading causes of car accidents. Taking a quick glance at a text message or trying to follow confusing GPS directions can have devastating consequences. Even analog behaviors like eating while driving, talking with passengers, or attending to children in the back seat can distract a driver and cause a crash.
• Aggressive and reckless driving. Speeding, tailgating, weaving between lanes, running red lights, and failing to yield the right of way are all examples of aggressive driving. These behaviors contributed to a significant share of Michigan crashes in 2024.  
• Impaired driving. Despite decades of public awareness campaigns, far too many accidents still occur that involve alcohol or drug impairment. Michigan State Police reports from 2024 show that Oakland County had 282 crashes involving alcohol. Although none were fatal, 382 people were injured. There were also 38 drug-related accidents, which injured 62 people that year.
• Drowsy driving. Many Farmington Hills residents balance work, family obligations, and long commutes, which can lead to fatigue. Nonetheless, many drivers don’t realize that chronic exhaustion can significantly increase their risk of causing an accident. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that drowsy driving impairs a person’s ability to operate a vehicle as much as driving while intoxicated.

Understanding Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance System

Michigan uses a no-fault insurance framework, which affects how insurance companies handle car accident claims. Under state law, each driver’s auto insurance company pays for their own medical costs and lost income after a crash, regardless of who was at fault.

Drivers injured in a car accident must file a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim with their own insurance carrier. PIP benefits cover the costs of medical care related to the car accident, up to 85 percent of lost wages, replacement services for household tasks they cannot perform, and survivors’ loss benefits if a crash results in a fatality.

Michigan’s no-fault system changed in recent years, giving drivers more flexibility to choose different levels of PIP medical coverage insurance. The option they select can affect which medical benefits are available after an accident and the amount of total compensation the policy will provide.

Recovering compensation after a car accident is a little more complicated for a passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian. If they have coverage, they can make a claim under their own PIP insurance or an applicable spouse or family member’s policy. If that’s not an option, they may need to pursue a claim under one or more of the at-fault drivers’ policies or a lawsuit. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s a good idea to consult an experienced Farmington Hills Car Accident attorney.

Pursuing Additional Compensation After a Farmington Hills Car Accident

Michigan’s no-fault system generally prevents accident victims with relatively minor injuries from suing at-fault drivers. However, if your injuries are more severe, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover additional damages. State law allows you to sue the at-fault driver if an accident causes you injuries resulting in serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.

Whether you meet this threshold depends on the facts of your situation. Injuries that often qualify include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, multiple fractures requiring surgery, severe burns, and internal organ damage. However, what constitutes a “serious impairment” differs from person to person, depending on their lifestyle, occupation, and personal circumstances. Whether an injury qualifies as a serious impairment is a legal determination based on medical evidence and how the injury affects a person’s ability to live their normal life.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, consult an experienced Farmington Hills car accident lawyer. They can help you explore all possible avenues of compensation for your injuries and ensure you understand the full value of your damages. If you are entitled to and choose to pursue a lawsuit, they can represent you and manage your case through litigation and trial. Even if you don’t end up in court, an experienced car accident attorney can skillfully manage negotiations with the insurance companies involved in your claims and often negotiate a higher settlement.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

In a Farmington Hills car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver, the two main types of compensation you can pursue are “economic” and “non-economic” damages. Economic damages are measurable financial losses that aren’t fully covered by a no-fault insurance payout. These may include excess lost wages, loss of earning capacity, future medical expenses, and home or vehicle modifications to accommodate a disability.

Non-economic damages cover losses that aren’t out-of-pocket costs or losses. Examples include mental anguish, pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, and disability or disfigurement. These can be a significant portion of a claim’s full value. An attorney will explore how the accident affected your specific life circumstances, such as what activities you can no longer do and how your relationships have changed, and ask for fair compensation.

Important Deadlines for Filing a Car Accident Claim

Timing is essential when pursuing car accident claims in Farmington Hills. Under Michigan law, an injured person usually has three years from the date of the accident to bring a lawsuit against the responsible driver. If this deadline passes, you may lose your right to seek damages. While some exceptions lengthen the time you have to pursue a claim, others can shorten the window.

Deadlines related to no-fault benefits claims are even stricter. You must notify the insurance company of your injury within one year of an accident to preserve your right to PIP benefits. If a company denies your claim or fails to pay benefits fully, you must file a lawsuit within one year from the date each unpaid expense was incurred.

Because of these strict and sometimes confusing deadlines, it’s best to speak with an attorney soon after an accident, even if you aren’t fully recovered. Doing so can protect your rights and clarify your options. It can also help reduce the stress and uncertainty you feel as you struggle to heal and move forward after a frightening experience.

Steps To Take After a Farmington Hills Car Accident

Immediately after an accident, take steps to ensure your safety and protect your rights. These include:

• Call 911 and wait for the police. Always report a car accident to the police, even if the damage seems minor. An official accident report provides crucial documentation. Further, Michigan law makes it a crime to leave the scene of an accident that causes property damage or injuries.
• Get medical attention immediately. See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. Adrenaline can mask pain and symptoms. Some serious injuries may not become apparent for hours or days after a crash, such as internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries. Prompt medical attention helps identify hidden injuries and creates documentation linking your injuries to the accident.
• Document everything. If you’re physically able, take photographs of the vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, and weather. Collect contact information from witnesses. Exchange information with other drivers, but avoid apologizing or discussing who was at fault.
• Contact a Farmington Hills car accident attorney.Once you’ve addressed your immediate medical needs, reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer. Insurance adjusters often contact you quickly after an accident. Before giving recorded statements or accepting any settlement offer, speak with an attorney. It’s important to remember that even your own policy’s adjusters work for the insurance company and can try to minimize their employer’s losses.

Why Choose Sommers Schwartz for Your Car Accident Case

At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., our attorneys have more than four decades of experience in the courtroom and at the bargaining table. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients throughout Michigan and nationwide. You can count on us for quality representation that delivers results.

• Experience that matters. Our attorneys have handled thousands of car accident cases, leveraging their thorough knowledge of Michigan law, reputation for excellence, and extensive resources. Our unparalleled, talented team is dedicated to securing the best possible outcome for you.
• No upfront costs. We pursue car accident injury cases on a contingency basis, which means you will owe no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. We also advance expenses and reimburse them from any final recovery, so you don’t have to worry about court fees or other costs.
• Personalized attention. You will work directly with an experienced attorney. They will spend the time you deserve to understand your unique situation, answer your questions, and keep you informed throughout the process.
• Proven results. We’ve secured substantial settlements and verdicts for clients in Farmington Hills and throughout Oakland County. We’re not afraid to take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to make fair settlement offers.

Contact Our Farmington Hills Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you have been injured in a car accident in Farmington Hills, contact Sommers Schwartz, P.C., today for a free consultation. Call 800-783-0989 or complete our online form to schedule a meeting with one of our experienced car accident attorneys. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you so you can focus on your recovery and the future ahead.