Southfield Car Accident Lawyers

In 2023, there were 287,953 reported crashes in Michigan, resulting in 1,095 fatalities and 71,085 injuries—statistics underscoring our roads’ persistent dangers. The risks of serious injury or death are ever-present, affecting victims and their families. Car accidents are a daily reality in Southfield and throughout Southeast Michigan, often leaving victims to deal with devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident in Southfield, understanding your legal rights and remedies is essential to pursuing justice and securing the resources you need to rebuild your life. The attorneys at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. provide knowledgeable, compassionate legal guidance to help you through the process.

Whether you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to another driver’s negligence, our experienced Southfield car accident lawyers can help. We are dedicated to assisting Southfield residents in pursuing compensation for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. Contact Sommers Schwartz today for a free consultation to learn how we can advocate for you and help you move forward.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Southfield

Car accidents happen for many reasons. However, certain factors contribute more than others to Southfield and Southeast Michigan crashes. As a busy suburb of Detroit, Southfield experiences heavy traffic on major roadways like the Lodge Freeway (M-10), Telegraph Road, and I-696. Congestion increases the likelihood of accidents caused by drowsiness, aggressive driving, and speeding.

Southfield’s proximity to major transportation hubs and its mix of commercial and residential areas increases the chances of drivers being distracted or impaired. Whether a driver is navigating busy intersections like Evergreen Road and 12 Mile Road or managing long stretches of freeway, distractions from phones or GPS devices can quickly cause rear-end or T-bone collisions. Alcohol-impaired drivers leaving Southfield’s restaurants and entertainment venues cause many other nighttime crashes.

Michigan’s seasonal weather patterns, including snow, ice, and freezing rain, create hazardous driving conditions. The unique challenges of Southfield’s infrastructure and weather highlight the importance of vigilance and responsible driving. Understanding all these factors can help identify whether another party’s negligence caused or contributed to your accident and injuries.

Determining the exact cause of a car accident is essential to establishing liability. Our Southfield car accident lawyers work with investigators and experts to uncover the causes of your accident, build a strong case for your recovery, and hold negligent parties accountable.

Common Injuries Resulting From Car Accidents

Car accidents cause many different injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering conditions. Understanding the types of injuries associated with car accidents can help you evaluate the crash’s impact on your life and the actual value of your claims.

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Head trauma during a collision can cause traumatic brain injuries, ranging from mild concussions to severe conditions affecting memory, cognition, and mobility.
• Spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis. Many require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
• Broken bones and fractures. The force of a crash can cause fractures, which often require surgery and long recovery periods.
• Soft tissue injuries. Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries are common in rear-end collisions. These conditions can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.
• Psychological trauma. The emotional impact of a car accident can also be significant, causing conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

If you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident, it’s critical to seek medical attention and document your treatment. These records will play a vital role in building your case for compensation.

Determining Liability in Southfield Car Accidents

Michigan’s no-fault insurance system requires drivers to seek compensation for medical bills and lost wages from their insurance provider, regardless of fault. However, if your injuries meet Michigan’s threshold for serious impairment of body function, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover additional damages like pain and suffering.

Negligence, Fault, and Liability

If you meet the criteria to pursue a lawsuit, you must determine who was at fault for the occurrence and prove their negligence caused your injuries. In Michigan, car accident liability often involves assessing whether a driver breached their duty to operate their vehicle safely.

Negligence occurs when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care, which leads to an accident. Examples include running a red light, failing to yield, or ignoring traffic laws. To prove negligence, you must show:

• Someone owed you a duty of care (all drivers owe a duty of care to other roadway users, for example).
• They breached that duty by acting negligently.
• Their negligence caused the accident or occurrence.
• You suffered damages because of the accident or occurrence.

Proving negligence requires more than establishing that a driver disobeyed traffic laws. It involves gathering evidence that the driver’s actions or failure to act appropriately caused the accident. Our attorneys at Sommers Schwartz work closely with investigators, review traffic camera footage, and consult with accident reconstruction experts to build a compelling case, establish negligence, and protect your right to compensation.

The Role of Comparative Fault

Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can recover compensation from other negligent parties if you were not more than 50% at fault. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages beyond the no-fault insurance payouts.

If you are partially liable for the accident that caused your injuries, any compensation you recover at trial will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if a jury decides you were 20% responsible for the accident, the court will reduce your total damages by 20%.

Determining fault percentages in Michigan car accidents can be contentious. Insurance companies and opposing parties often attempt to shift much of the blame onto you to reduce their financial liability. For example, they may argue that you were distracted, speeding, or contributed to the accident, even if their client’s negligence was the primary cause.

In this situation, the guidance of a skilled car accident attorney is invaluable. At Sommers Schwartz, we will carefully analyze the facts of your case to counter any exaggerated or unfounded claims of comparative fault. By gathering evidence such as eyewitness statements, traffic camera footage, and expert testimony, we work to establish a clear picture of liability that minimizes your fault percentage.

Defenses Used in Car Accident Cases

Insurance companies and at-fault drivers commonly raise defenses to avoid liability or reduce the amount they must pay. Understanding these tactics can help you prepare for potential challenges as your case progresses.

• Claiming comparative fault. One of the most common defenses is to argue that you were partially or entirely at fault for the accident. For instance, they may claim you were speeding or failed to use your turn signal.
• Disputing the severity of injuries. Insurance companies may attempt to downplay your injuries, arguing they were pre-existing conditions or are not as severe as you claim.
• Questioning the cause of the accident. Negligent drivers may argue that external factors, such as weather conditions or a third-party driver, caused the crash. Shifting some of the blame can reduce their liability.

At Sommers Schwartz, we counter these defenses with thorough investigations, expert testimony, and compelling evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.

How a Southfield Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Having a dedicated attorney by your side can be the difference between feeling overwhelmed after a car accident in Southfield and confidently pursuing the compensation you deserve. A skilled lawyer provides essential support at every stage, ensuring your rights are protected while you focus on recovery.

Investigation

Your lawyer will gather evidence to establish liability, such as police reports, witness statements, dashcam footage, and expert accident reconstruction analysis. Accidents on major roadways like M-10 and I-696 in Southfield often involve multiple vehicles or other complications, making a thorough investigation critical.

Some important questions to ask your attorney include the following:

• What is your approach to investigating multi-vehicle or complex accidents?
• Do you have access to accident reconstruction experts or other specialists if needed?
• How will you ensure all relevant evidence is preserved and presented effectively?

Choosing an attorney with a proactive investigation approach is key to achieving the best possible outcome.

Calculating Damages

Your lawyer uses their knowledge and experience to evaluate the full and fair value of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic losses like pain and suffering. Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws also mean your attorney must determine whether your injuries meet the threshold for pursuing compensation beyond your insurance benefits.

When you meet with your attorney, consider asking these questions:

• How do you calculate non-economic damages like pain and suffering?
• Can you explain how Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws apply to my case?
• What documentation do you need from me to assess the value of my claim?

A knowledgeable, experienced lawyer can ensure your claim reflects the true impact of the accident.

Negotiating With Insurers

Insurance companies often prioritize minimizing payouts. Their tactics can include lowball settlement offers, delayed responses, and disputes regarding the severity of your injuries. A skilled Southfield car accident lawyer will handle these negotiations, ensuring you aren’t pressured into accepting less than you deserve.

Some critical questions to ask include:

• How do you handle difficult or uncooperative insurance adjusters?
• Will you consult with medical or financial experts to strengthen my claim?
• What is your strategy if the insurance company denies or undervalues my claim?

This approach helps you achieve a resolution that genuinely meets your needs.

Representing You in Court

While many car accident cases settle out of court, some must be taken to court to recover fair compensation. If your case proceeds to trial, you need an attorney prepared to present a compelling argument and anticipate defense tactics.

At your initial consultation, you should ask your attorney these questions:

• What is your experience with taking car accident cases to trial in Southfield?
• How will you involve me in the litigation process?
• What steps will you take to prepare my case for court?

With the proper representation, you can feel confident as your case moves through litigation. Sommers Schwartz has the resources, experience, and determination to secure favorable outcomes for car accident victims if a trial becomes necessary.

Have You Been Injured in a Southfield Car Accident?

If you or someone you love was recently hurt in an auto accident, it’s essential to understand your rights and how to pursue them. The Southfield car accident law firm of Sommers Schwartz, P.C. has extensive experience recovering meaningful compensation for accident victims and their families.

We take pride in providing comprehensive services to all our clients, so you can rest assured that we have done everything possible to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule a free consultation.