Detroit Car Accident Attorneys

In a split second, a car accident can change your life. Regardless of the extent of your injuries, a car accident can be a stressful and overwhelming experience.

At the law firm of Sommers Schwartz, P.C., our Detroit car accident attorneys help accident victims recover what they deserve. Our attorneys have more than 45 years of experience pursuing car accident claims. While nothing can turn back time, the lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. can ensure you receive fair compensation for an accident's impact on your life.

How Common Are Detroit Car Accidents?

As the largest city in Wayne County and the State of Michigan, Detroit roadways see heavy, constant traffic. Not surprisingly, the city also experiences a high rate of car accidents. Every year, the Michigan State Police releases motor vehicle accident data for each of Michigan's 84 counties.

According to police data, there were approximately 44,000 Wayne County car accidents in 2020, most of which occurred in Detroit. These accidents caused 234 deaths and 10,561 injuries. On average, 4.5 people died in Detroit car accidents each week, while over 200 more suffered car accident-related injuries. Nearly a quarter of all fatal traffic collisions in Michigan occurred in or around Detroit.

Causes of Detroit Car Accidents

"Accident" is the most common term for a motor vehicle collision. Sometimes, these collisions are unavoidable accidents. However, this is rarely the case. Most Detroit car crashes are preventable. Below are some of the most common causes of auto collisions in Detroit.

Aggressive Driving

Motorists who have spent more than a few minutes driving in Detroit know the city has many aggressive drivers. Drivers can quickly become frustrated by heavy traffic and lose their patience. While this is understandable, aggressive driving puts everyone at risk. Some forms of aggressive driving include:

• Speeding.
• Tailgating.
• Cutting off other drivers.
• Running stop signs or red lights.
• Weaving in and out of traffic.
• Changing lanes without using a turn signal.
• Preventing cars from passing.
• Intentionally refusing to yield the right of way.

According to the 2020 data, aggressive behaviors such as speeding, failing to yield, disregarding traffic signals, and other forms of reckless driving caused a significant portion of fatal collisions.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving has always been a problem. However, over the past two decades, distracted driving accidents have increased dramatically due to the increased use of cell phones and other electronic devices. Driving while texting or talking on the phone is the leading cause of distracted driving accidents. However, other forms of distracted driving include:

• Eating or drinking.
• Daydreaming.
• Attending to children in the back seat.
• Scrolling social media.
• Looking at or programming a GPS or navigation system.
• Talking with passengers.
• Listening to or changing music.
• Personal grooming.
• Reading.

Most experts agree that distracted driving is grossly underreported because police officers at the scene can have difficulty determining whether a driver was distracted. Often, evidence of distracted driving surfaces only when a driver's phone records are examined.

Drowsy Driving

Most people don't realize drowsy driving is a leading cause of Detroit car accidents. In fact, drowsy driving is widespread. Today more than ever, people fill many roles and don't get enough restful sleep. Many parents work, take their children to school, and may attend school or have other commitments. Most teenagers work at least one job in addition to attending school.

When drowsy drivers get behind the wheel, the chances of an accident increase significantly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fatigued driving affects a person's ability to drive as much as driving while drunk. The agency cataloged over 88,000 drowsy driving accidents nationwide between 2005 and 2009.

Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is commonly recognized as one of the most dangerous driving behaviors. There are more than 1,400 DUI accidents yearly in Wayne County alone. These preventable collisions result in more than 55 deaths and 575 injuries each year. Despite decades of driver-education efforts, motorists still get behind the wheel after taking drugs or drinking too much. The recent legalization of recreational marijuana in Michigan may increase the number of impaired drivers on the roads.

Recovering After a Detroit Car Accident

Those injured in a Detroit car crash face a long road to recovery. While some injuries are more severe than others, even minor injuries can interfere with your life. Whether you must miss work or important family events, are limited in the activities you can enjoy, or experience unceasing pain, an accident's effects can dramatically impact your life.

Accident victims may be able to file a Detroit car accident lawsuit to pursue financial compensation for their injuries and the disruption to their lives. Generally, Michigan personal injury law permits accident victims to recover economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages provide you with money damages intended to cover your out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. Typical economic damages an injury victim can pursue in a claim are:

• Medical bills.
• Anticipated future medical expenses.
• Lost wages.
• Lost earning capacity.
• Modifications to your home to accommodate any accident-related disability.
• Property damage to your car or personal possessions.

While some speculation is involved in valuing how much compensation is appropriate for future losses like reduced earning capacity or anticipated medical expenses, economic damages are usually relatively easy to quantify.

On the other hand, non-economic damages intend to compensate you for less tangible injuries, including emotional and psychological damage. Non-economic damages can include:

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

To determine the value of non-economic damages, an attorney may ask you questions such as:

• How did the accident impact your life?
• Did you miss any significant family milestones?
• Have your intimate or familial relationships been affected due to the accident?
• What activities did you previously enjoy that you can no longer participate in because of your injuries?

The amount of non-economic damages appropriate in a car accident case depends mainly on the answers to these questions.

What To Do After a Detroit Car Accident

No one expects to get into a car accident, but most drivers and passengers will experience it eventually. While it can be easy to become overwhelmed in the days and weeks following a collision, this time is crucial for your health and ability to pursue a claim for financial damages. If you are injured in a Detroit car accident, taking the following steps can help protect your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.

Report the Accident as Soon as Possible

Immediately reporting a motor vehicle collision is essential. Calling 911 will trigger an emergency response team to the accident scene and document the occurrence. Having an official, contemporaneous report can make it harder for the at-fault driver or their insurance company to deny the accident occurred or otherwise challenge your claim.

Remain at the Scene

Under Michigan law, leaving the scene of an accident that causes damage is a misdemeanor. Notify the local police department or call 911; wait until they arrive or give you verbal permission to leave the scene.

Collect Evidence

After you report the accident, conduct an investigation of your own and collect evidence that may be relevant. If there were any witnesses to the accident, ask them for their names and contact information. Take photographs of road signs, lane markings, evidence of weather conditions, and any damage to the vehicles involved. You may want to take videos of the road or weather conditions. Finally, jot down some notes or record your impressions about how the accident occurred as soon as possible.

Obtain Prompt Medical Treatment

In the aftermath of an accident, adrenaline can disguise the extent of your injuries. Thus, you should seek medical attention even if you don't believe you suffered serious harm. Some injuries, such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent; left untreated, they can cause serious harm or even death. Obtaining prompt medical attention ensures doctors can identify and treat any potential injuries. It also helps confirm the extent of your injuries and their relationship to the accident.

Speak to a Knowledgeable Detroit Car Accident Lawyer

When you are ready, contact a lawyer to learn more about your options. An attorney at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. can help you present a compelling claim for recovery, maximizing the chances of a full and fair settlement offer. Our attorneys know how to negotiate with insurance companies and recover the total value of your claim. If negotiations fail, we are experienced trial attorneys who will aggressively pursue your case through trial.

Contact the Dedicated Detroit Car Accident Lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. To Discuss Your Injury Claim Today

If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident, pursuing a personal injury claim may ease many financial burdens. At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., we are committed to recovering the maximum compensation for accident victims and their families. We have a national reputation for zealously representing our clients and protecting their interests through every step of the recovery process.

Over more than four decades of practice, we've recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our many clients. To learn more about how we can help you pursue compensation, call us today at 800-783-0989 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation.