Wayne County Personal Injury Lawyer

It’s impossible to overstate the life-changing impact of an accident. While most people believe it could never happen to them, thousands are accidentally injured or killed each year in Wayne County. Filing a personal injury lawsuit allows you to pursue financial compensation when another’s negligence is to blame.

Choosing a law firm to represent you is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. At the Wayne County personal injury law firm of Sommers Schwartz, we help individuals and families recover meaningful compensation for their suffering. You only get one chance to bring a claim after an accident. Choose wisely with Sommers Schwartz. There is no fee for our services unless we win on your behalf.

What Is a Personal Injury Case?

A personal injury case is a civil lawsuit seeking money damages from the responsible party. The claim is generally that the defendant acted with “negligence.” Succeeding on a negligence claim requires proof of the following elements:

• Duty – Did the other party owe you a duty of care? 
• Breach – Did the other party breach the duty of care, either by acting unreasonably or failing to take reasonable action?
• Causation – Did the other party’s actions result in your injuries?
• Damages – Did you suffer legally recognizable damages due to the accident?

A personal injury lawsuit is often complex, and highly skilled defense lawyers can make it extremely difficult to obtain reasonable compensation for a catastrophic injury. Therefore, you need to work with a Wayne County personal injury lawyer of superior talent and experience. We help you rest easy, knowing you, your family, and your case are in the best of hands.

Types of Wayne County Personal Injury Claims

As veteran personal injury lawyers with decades of experience, Sommers Schwartz attorneys represent clients in a wide range of claims. Many of our clients suffer injuries from the following accidents:

Car Accidents:

Car accidents are among the most common personal injury cases. According to the most recent data, over 75,000 people are injured in Michigan car accidents each year. In Wayne County specifically, over 54,000 car accidents occurred last year, injuring nearly 12,000 people and causing over 150 deaths.

Truck Accidents:

As the largest vehicles on the road, truck accidents are often severe. In 2018 alone, 15,539 Michigan truck accidents injured 2,600 people and killed 116. The two leading causes of truck accidents are distracted driving and impaired driving.

Motorcycle Accidents:

Motorcycle accidents are the most likely to cause serious injury or death. According to the most recent data from Michigan State Police, roughly 3,000 motorcycle accidents occur each year. An estimated 75 percent of these accidents cause injury, and 5 percent are fatal.

In Wayne County specifically, 520 motorcycle accidents occurred in 2020, resulting in 40 fatalities and over 360 injuries. This is approximately twice the rate of other Michigan counties.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents:

Without the protection of a motor vehicle, pedestrians and bicyclists are the most vulnerable travelers on the road. According to the Michigan Traffic Crash Reporting System, almost one-third of all Michigan pedestrian accidents occurred in Wayne County last year, causing over 1,300 injuries and 175 deaths. Roughly 25 percent of all Michigan bicycle accidents occur in Wayne County. The most common causes of pedestrian and bicycle accidents are distracted and impaired driving.

Medical Malpractice:

Unfortunately, medical professionals are prone to human error. Medical malpractice is the area of law governing the professional duty providers owe to patients. While malpractice injuries tend to be grossly underreported, about 250,000 patients die from preventable medical errors each year.

Slip and Falls:

Falls are another leading cause of preventable injury. While the threat tends to be underreported, these accidents can cause debilitating injuries. A recent study estimates the total medical costs of falls exceed $50 billion per year.

Property owners owe their visitors a duty of care. Although the nature of that duty varies, reasonable maintenance of guest-accessible areas is generally required.

In addition to the types of claims detailed above, Sommers Schwartz also handles:

• Wrongful death claims.
• Defective and dangerous products claims.
• Nursing home abuse and neglect claims.
• Construction accidents.
• Workplace accidents.

Regardless of how you were injured, the dedicated Wayne County lawyers at Sommers Schwartz can help. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, so there is no risk in reaching out to learn about your rights.

Common Injuries in Personal Injury Accidents

Accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries. Of course, every accident is different, and we have helped countless clients at all points on the spectrum. Some of the most common injuries our clients suffer include:

• Broken bones.
• Head and brain injuries.
• Burns.
• Back and spine injuries.
• Neck injuries.
• Soft tissue damage.
• Organ damage.
• Paralysis.
• Death.

Damages in Wayne County Personal Injury Accidents

Accidents can impact your life in unforeseeable ways. While the initial concern is physical recovery, many victims find this is only the beginning of the road. Accident injuries often cause lingering pain and ongoing physical limitations, and the expense of medical bills can quickly become overwhelming. A personal injury lawsuit is often your best chance to recover your expenses and restore your quality of life.

Thankfully, Michigan allows accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover your out-of-pocket accident-related expenses. Common examples include:

• Lost wages.
• Decrease in earning capacity.
• Past and future medical expenses.
• Modifications to your home to accommodate a disability.
• Property damage.

Establishing economic damages is usually straightforward. Once you prove liability, you can present objective evidence such as receipts, pay stubs, and medical bills to show the expenses you’ve incurred.

Non-economic damages are different. These compensate victims for the emotional and psychological impacts of the accident on their lives. Non-economic damages available through a Wayne County personal injury lawsuit include:

• Pain and suffering.
• Mental anguish.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Disability or disfigurement.

Contact a Wayne County Personal Injury Lawyer for Immediate Assistance

If you or a loved one was recently injured in any type of accident, reach out to the knowledgeable Wayne County personal injury lawyers at Sommers Schwartz. Our attorneys have helped accident victims and their families for over 45 years. We enjoy a reputation of excellence and have recovered $1 billion on behalf of our clients. To learn more and schedule a free consultation, call us today at (800) 783-0989. You can also reach us through our online form.