Car accidents can happen for various reasons, and Michigan enforces several laws for resolving accidents. However, these are very different from the laws you would encounter in most other states. If you or a family member recently experienced an accident and you are unsure how to recover your losses, it is vital that you consult a Detroit car accident lawyer as quickly as possible to determine your optimal path to recovery.

The team at Wigod & Falzon has years of professional experience in helping injured car accident victims through auto insurance and, in some cases, personal injury claims. If you have been hurt in an accident, it is natural to have many questions about your recovery options and what to expect when it comes to filing your insurance claim. Our goal is to help you feel more at ease in this situation and pursue your recovery as quickly as possible.
Michigan enforces strict rules for resolving car accidents, which largely operate under a no-fault system. This means that every driver is required to purchase their own auto insurance, and they must use this insurance when they suffer an accident, regardless of who was at fault for the incident. However, there are many caveats to this law, and it is important to understand how your auto insurance will function if you experience an accident because of another driver’s actions.
Even when your case appears straightforward, it is possible for you to encounter a wide range of unexpected complications, any of which can be very difficult for you to resolve on your own. You also face procedural obligations that you must meet for both an auto insurance claim and a personal injury case. Gathering evidence to prove the exact cause of your accident will be crucial to your recovery efforts.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that you can successfully resolve your car accident case alone, regardless of how clear the fault for the incident may be. Even if you think you understand the full breadth of your claimable damages, you could be entitled to a greater recovery than you initially realize. The right Detroit car accident lawyer can be crucial for succeeding with your recovery efforts and seeking as much compensation as state law allows.
Wigod & Falzon serves car accident victims across Detroit and Wayne County, and we regularly work with local agencies and court systems throughout the claims and litigation process.
Detroit accident reports and crash documentation often become key evidence for Michigan no-fault (PIP) benefits and any third-party injury claim. If your collision involved injuries, a death, or property damage that appears to total $1,000 or more, Michigan law requires reporting to police.
In 2025, Michigan saw 290,221 traffic crashes, according to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts. Those collisions resulted in 70,591 injuries and 1,065 deaths. The state recorded 8,335 alcohol-involved crashes and 2,220 drug-involved crashes. Vulnerable road users also faced significant risks, with 2,321 pedestrians and 1,763 bicyclists involved in crashes. In total, 184 pedestrians and 35 bicyclists were killed in Michigan traffic collisions during the year.
Other crucial facts include the following:

#Source: Michigan Traffic Crash Facts
Wigod & Falzon serves car accident victims across Detroit and Wayne County. Our firm regularly works with local agencies and court systems throughout the claims and litigation processes. Our attorneys regularly handle a wide variety of car accident cases for our clients, including:
Even though the state upholds the no-fault rule for resolving most vehicle accident claims, the latest increasing Detroit car accident statistics highlight the importance for all drivers to know the greatest risks they face while driving, along with the most likely causes of accidents. Most collisions reported in the Detroit area happen because of driver negligence, which can take many forms:

Along with these common examples of driver negligence, intentional misconduct behind the wheel can also be very damaging. The most common example of this in the Detroit area is intoxicated driving. It is illegal for anyone to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, and if they cause an accident, they face criminal prosecution for breaking the law, along with potential civil liability for any damages caused to others.
Reckless driving can also cause accidents. The term reckless driving can apply to any incident in which a driver demonstrates a willful disregard for the safety of others. This may include excessive speeding, street racing, violating traffic signals, drifting around corners, and more. Reckless driving is likely to lead to criminal charges, especially if the reckless driver harmed anyone with their actions.
After most car accidents in Detroit, the no-fault rule will applies, and the injured driver might need to file a claim against their own auto insurance policy to recover their losses. Because Michigan allows drivers to choose their levels of coverage, the amount of compensation an injured driver can expect from their insurance policy generally depends on how much coverage they have purchased.
However, there are some situations in which an injured driver can pursue a claim against whoever caused the accident. These include:
Your Detroit car accident lawyer can determine whether you have grounds to file such a case. If you do, you can also seek compensation for non-economic damages, which are the intangible losses you suffered from the incident. These can include pain and suffering, along with mental anguish and the loss of enjoyment of life.
After a car crash in Detroit, it is vital to take the following steps if you possibly can. Doing so can enable you to have medical care and evidence for any claim you wish to file:

When a driver purchases no-fault auto insurance in the state, the policy includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This can compensate the policyholder in several ways up to the coverage limits outlined in the policy. If you have this coverage and experience an accident, MCL Section 500.3107 requires your PIP coverage to pay for:
If you are purchasing auto insurance in Detroit, it is vital to find the right balance of coverage and affordability under the choice rule for auto insurance. Drivers have the option of purchasing whatever level of personal injury protection and bodily injury/property damage (BI/PD) coverage they feel is necessary. They can also purchase property protection insurance that can pay for some types of property damage they may cause in an accident.
It is also important for drivers to remember that, under Michigan law, their no-fault auto insurance coverage also includes residual liability coverage, which can apply if another party is injured by the policyholder. The default coverage includes at least $250,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person injured in a single accident, with a $500,000 total accident minimum, as well as $10,000 for property damage in an accident that occurred in another state.
Dealing with any insurance adjuster can be challenging, even if you think your claim is simple and straightforward. Insurance companies typically look for all the reasons they can find to deny a claim or justify the lowest possible settlement offer. Sometimes, insurers will engage in bad faith tactics to avoid paying out fair settlements. Having a Detroit car accident lawyer can dramatically reduce the chance of encountering such mistreatment.
As soon as an insurance company sees that a claimant has legal counsel, it might be more inclined to process the claim efficiently and in good faith. If any unexpected complications arise with your claim, your attorney can direct you as to how to resolve these problems efficiently. Once you receive a settlement offer, your attorney can review it to see if it is fair and reasonable under the terms of the policy.
Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance law is meant to curb the number of claims filed in response to motor vehicle crashes, so it is only possible for an injured driver to file a personal injury claim after an accident under certain conditions. Generally, if an accident causes severe damages that far exceed the scope of available auto insurance, such as a catastrophic injury resulting in permanent disability, the victim is likely eligible to file a personal injury case.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible to file a personal injury claim after a car accident, but you are certain that another driver is directly responsible for causing the accident, it is crucial that you consult an experienced Detroit car accident lawyer immediately. Your attorney can:
To succeed with any personal injury claim, you will need to identify the party or parties that are responsible for your damages. Then, you will need to prove exactly how they caused those damages. Additionally, you must:
While proving fault is not always necessary to recover from a car accident in Detroit, it becomes essential for success in your personal injury case. You must prove that the defendant breached a duty of care they owed to you and, in doing so, directly caused your claimed damages. Your Detroit car accident lawyer can build the foundation of this claim.
The state enforces a modified comparative fault rule. This can apply to any civil claim for damages in which a plaintiff shares fault with a defendant for causing those damages. However, while many states enforce similar modified comparative fault statutes, Michigan’s is quite different from theirs. Under MCL Section 600.2959, each liable party has a fault percentage assigned to them, indicating their level of responsibility for the damages cited in the claim.
If a plaintiff is found partially at fault for a personal injury, their fault percentage dictates how much of their case award they lose as a penalty. For example, 20% fault results in losing 20% of their case award. The modified comparative fault rule in most other states bars plaintiff recovery at 50% fault, meaning if a plaintiff is proven to be 50% or more at fault, they cannot claim compensation from the defendant,
In Michigan, this rule works a bit differently. If a plaintiff is found 50% or more at fault, they lose the ability to claim compensation for their non-economic damages, and their fault percentage will dictate their penalty from their economic damage recovery. For example, if a plaintiff is 70% at fault when seeking $200,000 in economic damages and $200,000 in non-economic damages, they would only receive compensation for 30% of their $200,000 in economic damages.
Determining fault for a serious car accident in Detroit can be challenging, which is yet another reason why it is so crucial for an injured driver to have legal counsel they can trust. The right attorney can:
When you are successful in proving liability for your personal injury, you have the right to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages that the defendant caused. While you may be able to recover some of your economic damages through your auto insurance claim, compensation for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages is not available through insurance.
If you are eligible to file a personal injury claim in Detroit, your attorney can pursue your total compensation by accurately assessing immediate and long-term economic damages. Then, they can calculate the appropriate pain and suffering compensation to seek from the defendant.
Economic damages can include any direct financial losses you suffered that insurance might not cover. For many car accident victims in Detroit, the economic losses they can potentially recover from their personal injury claims may include:
The average car accident victim might recognize their immediately noticeable economic losses, such as hospital bills and vehicle repair costs, but an accurate assessment of their long-term economic damages can be very difficult without an attorney’s help. Similarly, if they intend to seek compensation for non-economic damages, the average person is unlikely to determine a suitable amount without the advice of legal counsel.
Non-economic damages in a personal injury case can be any losses that are intangible and not easily measured. These include:
State law does not limit how much pain and suffering compensation a car accident victim may seek.
If you sustained any permanently disabling or otherwise catastrophic injuries from your accident, the pain and suffering compensation you obtain from a successful personal injury claim could potentially outweigh the total compensation you secure for your economic damages. Your Detroit car accident lawyer can be invaluable when pursuing compensation for as much of your damages as state law permits.
At Wigod & Falzon, our firm’s record in personal injury and car accident cases speaks to our precision and persistence on behalf of our clients. While not every car accident case is the same, these results highlight meaningful recoveries that our team has secured in recent years.* They include:
These outcomes reflect the meaningful recoveries our team has obtained for Detroit car accident victims through strategic advocacy and persistent representation.
These outcomes reflect our broad experience when navigating car accident laws, engaging in insurance negotiations, and taking cases to trial whenever it’s necessary. At Wigod & Falzon, our Detroit car accident attorneys can work to thoroughly investigate your crash, document your injuries and losses, and pursue every valid path to compensation in your car accident case.
Certain roadways and intersections in Detroit have become frequent sites of serious collisions. These sites are, unfortunately, the most likely places for a car accident case to develop, thanks to heavy traffic volume, complicated traffic patterns, and high-speed travel. Understanding these locations can help victims recognize when they might have a claim, and it also allows our team to know where to uncover liability. Our city’s most dangerous intersections include:
These locations are just a few examples of where a knowledgeable Detroit car accident attorney can leverage crash data and traffic patterns to support your car accident case. They can use this information to identify contributing factors like negligence, traffic violations, or dangerous roadway designs.
Insurance companies act quickly to protect their bottom line, and without experienced guidance, injured victims might have to accept far less than what their case is worth. Your car accident case requires a careful investigation, a strong understanding of Michigan’s no-fault system, and a strategic approach that’s tailored to your specific injuries and losses. Hire a car accident lawyer with the skills and experience to have a positive impact on your case.
Having a legal team that understands how to navigate complicated car accident laws and how to directly challenge insurance tactics can improve both the speed and size of your recovery. Choosing the right Detroit car accident attorney matters. At Wigod & Falzon, we offer:
When your health, income, and future stability are at stake, experience and dedication matter. From handling insurer negotiations to preparing for trial if necessary, the right legal team can stand between you and the pressure tactics often used to minimize claims. If you’re searching for trusted guidance and proven advocacy, Wigod & Falzon can protect your rights and pursue the fair compensation you deserve.
From early morning commuters heading downtown to weekend traffic flowing in and out of entertainment districts, Detroit’s roads are always active. Major freeways like the I-75, I-94, and the Southfield Freeway carry heavy daily traffic, while busy surface streets and neighborhood intersections add another layer of complexity.
Construction zones, changing weather conditions, and high-volume merging points only increase the risk. Even with ongoing infrastructure improvements and traffic enforcement efforts, serious accidents remain common throughout the city’s major corridors and city streets.
Where your crash happens can affect where your case is filed and how it’s handled. Our Detroit car accident attorneys understand the local court system, including Detroit’s District Court and the Wayne County Circuit Court, which means we’re well-equipped to move your car accident case forward both efficiently and strategically.
Local experience often means having firsthand knowledge of the area’s court procedures and filing practices, along with how insurers typically approach claims in this region. That familiarity can prevent unnecessary delays and position your case for a stronger outcome.
If you have been injured, the right Detroit car accident attorney can protect your rights, manage communication with insurance companies, and build a compelling car accident case designed to seek the strongest outcome under Michigan’s car accident laws. At Wigod & Falzon, we can represent you through every stage of the process, working hard to restore your financial stability.
Your Detroit car accident lawyer can be invaluable not only for the help they can provide in building your claim but also in helping you navigate the proceedings necessary for resolving the claim as efficiently as possible. When you choose Wigod & Falzon to represent you, you can trust our team to develop a comprehensive legal strategy to help you recover your damages with maximum efficiency.
It is possible for a low-value personal injury case to be resolved in small claims court; otherwise, the plaintiff must file it in the district court if they are seeking less than $25,000 in compensation. If your case is valued at more than $25,000, you might need to file it in the circuit court. Your attorney can explain what to expect when it comes to filing your case and the next steps you need to take afterward.
It is also possible to settle a personal injury case outside of court. As long as the defendant accepts liability for the damages cited in the claim and both parties are willing to negotiate and compromise, they can potentially resolve the claim outside of court through a private settlement negotiation process. A Detroit car accident lawyer can still be an essential resource even if you think you can resolve your claim in this manner.
Otherwise, you might need to prepare for litigation. Your case may be heard by a judge and/or jury, and litigation could take much longer to complete than a settlement. Many civil claims for damages are resolved with a settlement because this is beneficial to all parties involved. Your Detroit car accident lawyer can advise you as to what you can expect when finalizing your personal injury claim.
Whether your car collision happened in Corktown, Midtown, Indian Village, or another area in Detroit, understanding the cause of the crash is an important first step for anyone seeking compensation for a personal injury. These are some of the more common causes of wrecks that we see at Wigod & Falzon:
Being struck by a negligent driver in Michigan can leave you contending with serious injuries and uncertainty about how you will physically and financially recover. When you hire a car accident lawyer, you benefit from their years of experience and understanding of how car accident laws can affect your claim. An experienced Detroit car accident attorney can take the time to document the harm you suffered before pursuing compensation.
A successful car accident claim could lead to a settlement that reflects the full scope of the harm you suffered and the expenses you incurred due to a negligent driver. Your Detroit car accident lawyer can gather the evidence that is needed to establish fault and document your injuries. If the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier does not offer a fair settlement, your attorney can take decisive action by filing a court claim.
A: Yes. An injury claim can involve shared fault in Michigan. Under Michigan’s modified comparative fault rules, you can still recover compensation when you share responsibility for an accident. However, your compensation may be reduced according to your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you will likely not be permitted to recover your non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
A: How long you have to file an injury claim in Michigan depends on the state’s statutes of limitations. In many personal injury cases, MCL 600.5805 generally provides three years from the date of the injury to file a claim in court. However, different deadlines can apply, depending on the circumstances, type of claim, and parties involved. Missing the applicable deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation.
A: After a collision, you should focus on protecting your safety and health by calling 911 to report a serious collision. Let paramedics check you for injuries and seek medical attention. Prompt action can prevent complications that could endanger your health. Follow your doctor’s recovery guidelines, and do not rush returning to work. Contact an attorney as soon as you can; that way, they can begin gathering evidence and pursuing compensation while you recover.
A: How long your claim takes to resolve depends on the severity of your injury, the complexity of the claim, and whether negotiations are handled in court. A straightforward claim that does not involve disputed liability could be settled within a few months, while more complex cases could take several months or longer to process. Court claims can lead to more comprehensive compensation, but they can also extend the timeline of your case.
A: Who pays for your injuries and property damage depends on the outcome of an investigation. Michigan is a no-fault state, so your own car insurance policy could provide benefits for your injuries, while payment for property damage depends on the circumstances and available coverage. A serious injury that involves negligence could necessitate a civil court action that demands fair compensation for the harm you endured.
The right legal team is an invaluable asset to have on your side for your impending car accident case. At Wigod & Falzon, we approach every civil claim we accept with the goal of pursuing our clients’ recovery in the most efficient manner possible. We take time to learn as much as we can about every client’s story, determine their optimal paths to recovery, and seek the full scope of the compensation they deserve.
If you are hesitant to hire legal counsel due to the anticipated high cost of attorneys’ fees, it is no cause for concern if you choose Wigod & Falzon to represent you. We take all personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis.
This means we only take a fee if we are successful with your case, and you pay nothing if we do not obtain a case award for you. If we do take our contingency fee, it is only a percentage of the total amount we recover for your damages.
Whether you can fully recover your losses through an auto insurance claim alone or need to build a more comprehensive personal injury case, our firm can provide the guidance and support you need to approach the situation with confidence. You have a relatively limited time in which to pursue your recovery, so it is vital that you connect with the right attorney as quickly as possible.
Contact Wigod & Falzon today to schedule your consultation with a trustworthy Detroit car accident lawyer. During your initial consultation, we can listen to your story and find the most viable path to recovering as fully as possible from your recent accident.
This content has been reviewed for legal accuracy and relevance by experienced attorneys from Wigod & Falzon:
Lawrence Falzon, Partner and Senior Trial Lawyer. With over four decades of experience focusing on motor vehicle negligence and no-fault insurance law, Mr. Falzon brings extensive knowledge of Michigan crash litigation and car accident laws to every case he reviews.
The review process is designed so that the information presented reflects current Michigan practice and offers a reliable context for people seeking an experienced Detroit car accident attorney.
*Past outcomes are not a guarantee of future results. Every case is unique.
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Detroit, often called “The Motor City,” is a hub of automotive history, Motown magic, and thriving art culture. But road safety remains a pressing issue: the city averages about 108 traffic deaths per year (2017–2021) and ranks high nationally for fatalities. In 2023, Michigan saw nearly 288,000 crashes, over 1,000 fatal—many linked to speeding and distracted driving.
In response, Detroit launched Vision Zero in 2024, a plan to eliminate traffic deaths within ten years through safer streets and stronger enforcement. New state laws targeting distracted driving and child passenger safety also support this push. These efforts aim to protect everyone on the road, helping residents and visitors enjoy Detroit’s rich culture and history with greater peace of mind.