Detroit Accident Lawyers

Dedicated Michigan Personal Injury Attorneys Representing Injured Motorists, Passengers, Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Families

A serious vehicle accident can change a person’s life in seconds. One moment, you may be driving to work on I-75, taking your children to school, riding a bicycle through Midtown, or crossing a street in Downtown Detroit. The next, you may be facing an ambulance ride, emergency surgery, weeks or months away from work, and questions about how your family will pay its bills.

The physical injuries are often only the beginning. Vehicle-accident victims may also experience chronic pain, reduced mobility, emotional trauma, lost income, mounting medical expenses, vehicle-repair costs, and uncertainty about whether they will ever regain the life they had before the collision.

Michigan’s no-fault insurance system adds another layer of complexity. Depending on the circumstances, an injured person may have:

• A claim for personal protection insurance benefits;
• A liability claim against a negligent driver;
• A claim against a rideshare, trucking, transportation, or commercial company;
• An uninsured or underinsured motorist claim;
• A product-liability claim involving a defective vehicle or component;
• A claim against a governmental agency;
• A premises-liability claim involving unsafe property;
• A dram-shop claim involving the unlawful service of alcohol; or
• A wrongful-death claim on behalf of a family member.

At Neumann Law Group, our Detroit vehicle accident lawyers represent people who have suffered serious injuries in automobile, rideshare, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, aviation, boating, snowmobile, personal-watercraft, and other transportation accidents. The firm has more than 200 years of combined attorney experience and maintains a Detroit office at 400 Renaissance Center, Suite 2600.

Our attorneys understand how insurance companies investigate claims, calculate reserves, dispute medical treatment, question lost wages, and attempt to reduce settlements. We prepare each case carefully, document the full extent of the client’s losses, and pursue the parties and insurance policies that may be legally responsible.

When an insurer refuses to offer reasonable compensation, Neumann Law Group has the litigation resources to take the dispute to court.

Why Detroit Vehicle Accident Cases Require Experienced Legal Representation

A vehicle accident case may initially appear straightforward. One driver violated the right of way, rear-ended another vehicle, ran a red light, or entered an intersection without checking for pedestrians. In practice, obtaining full compensation can be much more difficult.

Insurance companies may argue that:

• The injured person caused or contributed to the accident;
• The collision did not cause the claimed injuries;
• The injuries existed before the accident;
• The medical treatment was excessive or unnecessary;
• The injured person could have returned to work sooner;
• The claimant failed to provide proper notice;
• The claimant does not satisfy Michigan’s serious-injury threshold;
• Another insurer has priority for paying no-fault benefits;
• A rideshare driver was not logged into the application;
• A commercial driver was acting outside the scope of employment;
• A governmental agency is immune from liability; or
• The claim was not filed before the applicable deadline.

An experienced Detroit accident lawyer can investigate these defenses, preserve evidence, identify all applicable insurance coverage, calculate current and future losses, and prevent an insurer from controlling the narrative surrounding the accident.

Types of Vehicle and Transportation Accident Cases Neumann Law Group Handles

Detroit Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common causes of serious injuries in Detroit. Collisions may result from speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, intoxicated driving, aggressive driving, failure to yield, fatigued driving, or disregard of traffic signals.

Neumann Law Group represents people injured in:

• Rear-end collisions;
• Head-on crashes;
• Intersection accidents;
• T-bone and side-impact collisions;
• Highway accidents;
• Multi-vehicle pileups;
• Hit-and-run accidents;
• Drunk-driving crashes;
• Distracted-driving accidents;
• Uninsured-driver accidents;
• Underinsured-driver accidents;
• Parking-lot collisions; and
• Fatal automobile accidents.

A car-accident investigation may include police reports, photographs, surveillance recordings, vehicle event-data recorders, cellphone records, medical documentation, witness interviews, repair estimates, and accident-reconstruction evidence.

Commercial Truck Accidents

Crashes involving tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, tankers, and other commercial vehicles frequently cause catastrophic injuries because of their size and weight.

Potentially responsible parties may include:

• The truck driver;
• The trucking company;
• The company that hired the carrier;
• A freight broker;
• A cargo-loading company;
• A truck-maintenance contractor;
• The owner of the tractor or trailer;
• A manufacturer of defective brakes, tires, or other parts; and
• Another driver whose negligence contributed to the collision.

Truck cases may require the immediate preservation of electronic logging information, dash-camera footage, driver qualification records, inspection reports, maintenance histories, dispatch communications, cargo records, and onboard electronic data. Waiting too long may allow important evidence to be overwritten, lost, repaired, or destroyed.

Uber, Lyft, and Other Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents can create complicated insurance questions because available coverage may depend on the driver’s status when the crash occurred.

Important questions include:

• Was the rideshare application turned off?
• Was the driver logged in and waiting for a request?
• Had the driver accepted a ride?
• Was the driver traveling to pick up a passenger?
• Was a paying passenger in the vehicle?
• Did another motorist cause the accident?
• Does the injured person have applicable no-fault coverage?
• Is uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage available?

Neumann Law Group can examine digital trip records, insurance policies, driver status, and the conduct of everyone involved to determine which claims may be pursued.

Detroit E-Bike and Electric Scooter Accidents

Electric bicycles and scooters have become increasingly common in urban areas. Their speed, small profile, and limited physical protection can make collisions particularly dangerous.

E-bike and scooter accidents may be caused by:

• Drivers failing to check bicycle lanes;
• Motorists opening doors into a rider’s path;
• Unsafe roadway conditions;
• Defective brakes or batteries;
• Poorly maintained rental equipment;
• Drivers failing to yield at intersections;
• Commercial vehicles making unsafe turns; or
• Pedestrians or riders violating applicable traffic rules.

The classification of the vehicle can affect which laws and insurance rules apply. A lawyer should examine the device’s design, power, maximum speed, ownership, and use instead of assuming that every electric bicycle or scooter case is governed by the same rules.

Bicycle Accidents

Detroit cyclists have little protection when they are struck by a car, truck, bus, or rideshare vehicle. Even a relatively low-speed impact can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, internal injuries, or permanent disability.

Bicycle cases often involve disputes about visibility, right of way, lighting, bicycle-lane use, road positioning, and comparative fault. Useful evidence may include helmet-camera recordings, nearby business surveillance, vehicle damage, bicycle damage, scene measurements, traffic-signal data, and witness statements.

When a motor vehicle is involved, Michigan no-fault benefits may also become relevant even though the injured person was riding a bicycle rather than occupying a car.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians may be struck in crosswalks, parking lots, intersections, driveways, construction zones, and along road shoulders. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may be especially vulnerable.

A pedestrian case may involve:

• A driver’s failure to yield;
• Speeding;
• Distracted driving;
• Impaired driving;
• Backing accidents;
• Left-turn or right-turn collisions;
• Poor lighting;
• Obstructed sight lines;
• Defective traffic signals; or
• Unsafe road or construction-zone design.

Pedestrian injuries are frequently catastrophic because the victim has no vehicle frame, seat belt, or airbag to absorb the force of impact.

Bus Accidents

Bus cases may involve Detroit Department of Transportation buses, SMART buses, charter buses, tour buses, intercity coaches, shuttle services, casino buses, private transportation companies, or school buses.

Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may rest with:

• The bus driver;
• A private bus operator;
• A governmental transportation authority;
• A school district;
• A maintenance contractor;
• The manufacturer of a defective component;
• Another motorist; or
• The company responsible for hiring or supervising the driver.

Claims involving public transportation can be subject to governmental-immunity rules and special notice requirements. These requirements can be much shorter and stricter than the ordinary deadline for a private personal-injury lawsuit.

School Bus Accidents

School bus accidents are especially traumatic because they may affect children and numerous families simultaneously. An injury may occur during a collision, while a child is boarding or leaving the bus, or because a driver failed to stop for a school bus displaying its warning signals.

Important evidence may include:

• Interior and exterior bus-camera recordings;
• Driver training and qualification records;
• Route information;
• Student seating records;
• Maintenance and inspection reports;
• School policies;
• Witness accounts; and
• Communications between the driver, school, and transportation department.

Because school districts and public transportation agencies may have governmental protections, families should obtain legal advice promptly.

Train and Railroad Accidents

Train accidents may involve passenger trains, freight trains, railroad employees, pedestrians, motorists at crossings, or nearby property owners.

Potential causes include:

• Defective crossing signals;
• Missing or malfunctioning gates;
• Excessive speed;
• Operator error;
• Inadequate track maintenance;
• Defective equipment;
• Improperly secured cargo;
• Poor visibility;
• Unsafe switching procedures; and
• Failure to sound required warnings.

Railroad cases may involve federal regulations, corporate defendants, governmental entities, and large amounts of technical evidence. Immediate preservation of locomotive data, video recordings, dispatch records, inspection reports, and event-recorder information may be essential.

Boating Accidents

Michigan’s lakes, rivers, and waterways create numerous opportunities for recreation, but negligent boat operation can cause severe injuries and drownings.

Boating accidents may result from:

• Operator inattention;
• Excessive speed;
• Alcohol or drug impairment;
• Inexperienced operation;
• Overloading;
• Failure to carry safety equipment;
• Dangerous wake creation;
• Inadequate navigation lights;
• Mechanical failure;
• Defective equipment; or
• Collisions with docks, swimmers, or other vessels.

Depending on where and how an accident occurred, state boating law, federal maritime principles, insurance-contract provisions, product-liability rules, or premises-liability law may apply.

Jet Ski and Sea-Doo Accidents

Personal watercraft can accelerate quickly, turn sharply, and become difficult for inexperienced riders to control. Riders may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, internal injuries, lacerations, or drowning.

Potential defendants may include:

• A negligent operator;
• The owner of the watercraft;
• A rental company;
• A tour operator;
• A marina;
• A maintenance company; or
• A manufacturer of defective equipment.

A proper investigation should consider rider experience, safety instructions, life-jacket use, rental-company practices, mechanical condition, visibility, water conditions, and whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the accident.

Snowmobile Accidents

Snowmobile accidents may be caused by excessive speed, impaired operation, unsafe passing, poor trail maintenance, inadequate lighting, hidden obstacles, defective equipment, or collisions with other vehicles.

Liability may extend beyond the operator when an accident involves:

• A commercial rental company;
• A negligent property owner;
• An improperly maintained trail;
• A defective snowmobile component;
• An intoxicated operator who was unlawfully served alcohol; or
• A motor vehicle entering or crossing a trail.

Because snowmobile accidents often occur in remote locations, photographs, GPS information, witness contact details, weather records, and evidence concerning trail conditions should be preserved as quickly as possible.

Aviation Accidents

Aviation cases may involve commercial aircraft, charter planes, private airplanes, helicopters, air ambulances, flight schools, or airport ground vehicles.

Potential causes include:

• Pilot error;
• Inadequate pilot training;
• Mechanical failure;
• Defective aircraft components;
• Improper maintenance;
• Fuel contamination;
• Air-traffic-control errors;
• Weather-related decision-making;
• Runway hazards; and
• Negligent aircraft ownership or operation.

These cases may involve federal aviation regulations, multiple corporate defendants, specialized insurance policies, jurisdictional disputes, and extensive technical evidence. Investigators may need to examine maintenance logs, flight records, pilot credentials, air-traffic-control communications, weather information, and data recovered from the aircraft.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Detroit Vehicle Accident?

The available compensation depends on the type of accident, the insurance coverage, the severity of the injuries, and the parties responsible.

Michigan No-Fault Benefits

Michigan personal protection insurance, commonly called PIP, may provide benefits without requiring the injured person to prove that another driver caused the accident.

Depending on the policy and circumstances, these benefits may include:

• Reasonable and necessary accident-related medical expenses, up to the selected PIP medical limit;
• A portion of lost income for work the injured person would have performed during the first three years following the accident;
• Replacement-service expenses for qualifying household tasks the injured person can no longer perform;
• Attendant-care expenses when medically necessary;
• Rehabilitation expenses;
• Mileage and transportation expenses associated with medical care; and
• Certain funeral and burial expenses after a fatal accident.

Michigan drivers can select from several PIP medical coverage levels, including unlimited coverage, $500,000, $250,000, qualifying $50,000 coverage, and—when strict eligibility requirements are met—exclusions or an opt-out. The selected limit can significantly affect the medical benefits available after a serious crash. Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services

Compensation From an At-Fault Party

A third-party liability claim may seek compensation for losses that are not fully covered through no-fault benefits. Depending on the facts, damages may include:

• Physical pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress;
• Disability;
• Disfigurement and scarring;
• Loss of enjoyment of life;
• Loss of consortium;
• Excess medical expenses;
• Excess wage loss;
• Loss of future earning capacity;
• Long-term assistance and care;
• Property damage; and
• Wrongful-death damages.

For noneconomic damages arising from the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle, Michigan generally requires death, permanent serious disfigurement, or a “serious impairment of body function.” Michigan law defines serious impairment through factors addressing whether an objectively manifested impairment affects an important body function and influences the injured person’s general ability to lead a normal life. The analysis is individualized; it does not require an injury to destroy every aspect of a person’s life. Michigan Compiled Laws §500.3135

Injuries Commonly Caused by Vehicle Accidents

Neumann Law Group represents clients suffering from injuries such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Concussions and post-concussion syndrome;
• Spinal-cord damage;
• Paralysis;
• Herniated or ruptured discs;
• Nerve damage;
• Broken bones;
• Joint and ligament injuries;
• Shoulder and knee injuries;
• Internal bleeding;
• Organ damage;
• Burns;
• Amputations;
• Facial injuries;
• Vision or hearing loss;
• Complex regional pain syndrome;
• Psychological trauma;
• Permanent scarring;
• Chronic pain; and
• Fatal injuries.

Some injuries are not immediately apparent. Adrenaline can temporarily mask pain, while concussions, internal bleeding, soft-tissue injuries, and spinal conditions may become more noticeable later. Accident victims should seek appropriate medical evaluation and explain every symptom to their healthcare providers.

What Should You Do After a Vehicle Accident in Detroit?

1. Obtain Emergency Assistance

Call 911 when anyone may be injured or when the accident creates a traffic hazard. Request police and emergency medical assistance.

2. Seek Medical Care

Do not assume that an injury is minor simply because symptoms are initially manageable. Follow medical recommendations, attend appointments, and report new or worsening symptoms.

3. Document the Scene

When it is safe, photograph or record:

• Vehicle positions;
• Property damage;
• Skid marks;
• Debris;
• Traffic signals and signs;
• Road defects;
• Weather conditions;
• Visible injuries;
• Commercial logos; and
• License plates.

4. Obtain Witness Information

Ask witnesses for their names, telephone numbers, email addresses, and a brief description of what they observed.

5. Preserve Physical and Digital Evidence

Keep damaged clothing, helmets, bicycles, scooters, electronic devices, photographs, receipts, medical paperwork, and communications with insurers. Do not authorize the destruction or repair of important evidence before it can be inspected.

6. Notify the Appropriate Insurers

Michigan no-fault claims have strict notice and filing requirements. Notice should be accurate and timely, but an injured person should be cautious about giving broad recorded statements or signing unrestricted medical authorizations without understanding the consequences.

7. Avoid Discussing the Accident on Social Media

Insurance companies and defense attorneys may review public posts for statements, photographs, location information, or activities they can take out of context.

8. Speak With a Detroit Accident Lawyer Promptly

Early representation allows an attorney to preserve recordings, vehicle data, electronic records, maintenance documents, and other evidence that may otherwise disappear.

Frequently Asked Questions About Detroit Vehicle Accident Claims

How Does Michigan’s No-Fault System Work?

Michigan’s system separates many accident claims into two categories.

The first is a no-fault claim for PIP benefits. These benefits may cover qualifying medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services, and other accident-related needs regardless of who caused the crash.

The second is a liability claim against the legally responsible driver or another negligent party. This claim may provide compensation for pain and suffering and certain economic losses not covered by PIP.

An injured person may therefore have both a first-party no-fault claim and a third-party negligence claim arising from the same accident.

Which Insurance Company Pays My No-Fault Benefits?

The answer depends on the injured person’s status, household relationships, available policies, and the type of accident. The priority analysis may be different for a vehicle occupant, pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or person without an auto policy.

Do not assume that benefits are unavailable merely because you did not own the vehicle or did not personally purchase auto insurance. A lawyer can review household policies, vehicle policies, employer coverage, and other potential sources.

Can I Sue the Driver Who Caused My Accident?

Possibly. A person injured in a motor-vehicle accident may bring a liability claim when the legal requirements are satisfied. Claims for noneconomic damages generally require death, permanent serious disfigurement, or serious impairment of body function.

A claimant may also pursue allowable economic losses that exceed available no-fault benefits or applicable statutory limits.

What Is a Serious Impairment of Body Function?

Michigan law generally examines whether the person has:

1. An objectively manifested impairment;
2. Of an important body function; and
3. An impairment that affects the person’s general ability to lead a normal life.

This is not determined solely by the diagnosis or whether surgery was required. Medical restrictions, changes in employment, inability to participate in family activities, loss of independence, disrupted recreation, and limitations in daily living can all be relevant.

What Happens if I Was Partially at Fault?

Michigan applies comparative-fault principles. An injured person’s compensation may be reduced according to the percentage of fault assigned to that person.

In a motor-vehicle claim for noneconomic damages, a person who is more than 50% at fault generally cannot recover those noneconomic damages. Economic-damage rules can be different, making an accurate fault analysis particularly important. Michigan Compiled Laws §500.3135

What if the Other Driver Was Uninsured or Fled the Scene?

You may still have options. Potential sources of recovery include:

• Uninsured motorist coverage;
• Underinsured motorist coverage;
• Michigan no-fault benefits;
• A household member’s applicable policy;
• Coverage associated with the occupied vehicle;
• A claim against another responsible party; or
• Other coverage identified through investigation.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits are governed heavily by the language of the insurance contract. Policies may contain notice, cooperation, consent, and filing requirements that must be followed carefully.

How Long Do I Have to File a Detroit Accident Lawsuit?

Michigan generally provides three years for a personal-injury lawsuit arising from injury to a person. However, shorter deadlines may govern insurance benefits, governmental claims, county-road claims, uninsured motorist claims, and other specialized matters. Michigan Compiled Laws §600.5805

A lawsuit for overdue no-fault benefits generally cannot be filed more than one year after the accident unless qualifying written notice was provided to the insurer or the insurer previously made a payment. Michigan also restricts how far back unpaid benefits may be recovered. Michigan Compiled Laws §500.3145

Because determining the correct deadline can require analyzing several statutes and insurance contracts, victims should not wait until the third anniversary of an accident to seek advice.

Are Claims Against the City, a Transit Authority, or Another Governmental Agency Different?

Yes. Governmental entities may be protected by immunity unless the claim falls within a recognized statutory exception. Special notice requirements may apply.

For example, a claim involving injuries allegedly caused by a defective highway can require detailed notice identifying the exact location and nature of the defect, the injury, and known witnesses within 120 days. Certain county-road claims may have an even shorter notice period.

A person injured by a public bus, government-owned vehicle, defective roadway, missing sign, or dangerous public property should seek legal advice immediately.

Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s First Settlement Offer?

Not before understanding the full value of the claim. Early offers may arrive before the victim knows whether surgery, rehabilitation, future treatment, work restrictions, or permanent disability will be involved.

A settlement generally requires a release. Once signed, that release may prevent the injured person from requesting additional compensation even if the medical condition worsens later.

How Much Is My Vehicle Accident Case Worth?

There is no reliable “average settlement” that determines the value of an individual case. Important factors include:

• The nature and severity of the injuries;
• Whether the injuries are permanent;
• Medical expenses;
• Future treatment needs;
• Lost income;
• Reduced future earning capacity;
• Pain and suffering;
• Disfigurement;
• The effect on daily life;
• Available insurance coverage;
• Evidence of fault;
• Comparative-fault allegations;
• The credibility of witnesses;
• The defendant’s conduct; and
• Whether the case can be resolved or must proceed to trial.

An attorney should calculate damages using medical records, employment information, expert opinions, testimony from family members, and evidence showing how the accident changed the client’s life.

How Long Does a Vehicle Accident Claim Take?

A straightforward claim involving clear liability and completed medical treatment may resolve in months. A catastrophic-injury, commercial-vehicle, governmental, aviation, railroad, or disputed-liability case may take considerably longer.

The process may include:

1. Investigation;
2. Medical treatment and evaluation;
3. Insurance claims;
4. Evidence preservation;
5. Expert review;
6. Settlement negotiations;
7. Filing a lawsuit;
8. Written discovery;
9. Depositions;
10. Medical examinations;
11. Mediation;
12. Trial preparation; and
13. Trial or settlement.

The goal should not be simply to finish the case quickly. It should be to resolve the claim only after the nature of the injuries, future needs, available coverage, and full damages are reasonably understood.

What Does It Cost to Hire Neumann Law Group?

Neumann Law Group offers free initial consultations for personal-injury matters. The firm handles qualifying accident cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning attorney fees are generally collected only if compensation is recovered. The written representation agreement should explain how attorney fees and case expenses will be handled.

How Neumann Law Group Builds a Detroit Vehicle Accident Case

A strong accident claim begins with a disciplined investigation. Depending on the case, Neumann Law Group may:

• Examine police and incident reports;
• Interview witnesses;
• Obtain available surveillance and dash-camera recordings;
• Send evidence-preservation notices;
• Inspect vehicles and equipment;
• Secure electronic vehicle data;
• Review cellphone and digital records when legally obtainable;
• Analyze driver qualifications and employment relationships;
• Investigate maintenance and inspection histories;
• Consult accident-reconstruction professionals;
• Gather medical records and expert opinions;
• Document lost wages and reduced earning capacity;
• Identify applicable insurance policies;
• Calculate future care and assistance needs;
• Negotiate with insurers; and
• Prepare the case for trial when a fair resolution is not offered.

This work is especially important in cases involving commercial vehicles, government defendants, catastrophic injuries, or multiple insurance policies.

Speak With a Detroit Vehicle Accident Lawyer at Neumann Law Group

If you or someone you love was injured in a car, truck, rideshare, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, school bus, e-bike, scooter, train, snowmobile, boating, Jet Ski, Sea-Doo, or aviation accident, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone.

Neumann Law Group brings more than 200 years of combined attorney experience to personal-injury and complex litigation matters. With a Detroit office and additional Michigan offices in Grand Rapids and Traverse City, the firm has the reach and resources to investigate serious transportation accidents throughout Michigan.

The sooner an investigation begins, the better the opportunity to preserve evidence, identify applicable insurance coverage, comply with notice requirements, and protect the injured person’s legal rights.

Call Neumann Law Group at 800-525-6386 or submit the firm’s online contact form to request a free consultation. There is no charge for the initial case review, and in qualifying personal-injury cases, clients pay no attorney fee unless the firm obtains compensation for them.

Detroit office:
Neumann Law Group
400 Renaissance Center, Suite 2600
Detroit, Michigan 48243

Telephone: 248-216-1660
Toll-free: 800-525-6386

This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Every accident is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.