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Car Accident Lawyer Serving Sterling Heights
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It can happen in a moment. You may be driving with your family to Red Oaks Waterpark or heading to River Bends Park when another driver crashes into you and leaves you dealing with pain, medical bills, missed work, and constant calls from insurance companies. Even when you did nothing wrong, the aftermath of a crash can affect nearly every part of your life.
The claims process can feel just as overwhelming. While you are trying to heal, the insurance company may question your injuries, delay your claim, or push for less than your case may be worth. That is where we come in. At Matz Injury Law, we help people in Sterling Heights understand their rights after a crash, deal with the insurance process, and pursue compensation when Michigan law allows it. We have recovered more than $300 million for injured people and accident victims across Michigan, and we charge a 22% contingency fee so you keep more of your recovery.
Why Choose Matz Injury Law for Your Sterling Heights Car Accident Claim
When you are hurt in a crash, you need a law firm that knows Michigan car accident law, communicates clearly, and treats you like a person rather than a case file. We represent injured people in Sterling Heights and throughout Macomb County in car accident cases, and we also handle truck accident and motorcycle accident claims across Michigan.
Our 22Not33 Fee Promise
Many personal injury firms charge 33% of a settlement or verdict as their fee. Matz Injury Law charges 22% in many personal injury cases. That difference can leave more of the recovery in your hands for medical care, lost income, and day-to-day needs.
For example, if a case resolves for $100,000, a 33% fee would leave $67,000 before costs or other deductions. A 22% fee would leave $78,000 before costs or other deductions. That can be a meaningful difference for someone trying to rebuild after a serious crash.
Our personal injury attorneys also work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you.
Hear From Clients Who Have Worked Closely With Our Lawyers: Success Stories
“My parents were involved in a fatal car accident, where we needed guidance dealing with the insurance company. A month after the accident the insurance agency had stopped addressing our calls and emails. Retaining Steve Matz and his team was the absolute best decision we made for my mom. He was professional from start to finish and we had a settlement quickly. Steve answered all of our calls and emails, and assured us that he would take care of our family during this time. If you are questioning whether seeking guidance is needed, don’t hesitate and reach out. Steve was very open about what he could do for our case, and how retaining his services could impact our timeline. We felt as though we were talking to a friend, not an attorney, whom checked on us often. Thank you for all you have done for our family, especially my mom during this time. Your service and compassion deserves more than 5 stars!” — Sara M.
“5 star is not enough for the service we received from Steven Matz and team for my daughter. What a great crew at Matz Injury Law! They are very professional and kind as well. Steven always answered our phone calls even on weekends. I had an amazing experience working with Steven. His dedication and professionalism made the process simple, fast, and less stressful. Highly recommended.” — Ajay G.
“I was given Steven’s information from my cousin that retained his services, and I have to say I am so pleased we did the same. The level of professionalism was outstanding. I never had to wonder or guess what was going to happen. Steven and his staff kept us up to date and informed in every step throughout our process. I highly recommend Matz Injury Law.” — Michelle W.
Meet the Sterling Heights Car Accident Lawyers Ready to Fight for You
When you work with Matz Injury Law, you work with experienced attorneys who handle Michigan personal injury cases and stay involved in the process. We focus on clear answers, practical guidance, and strong advocacy from the beginning of the case through resolution.
Our firm and attorneys have received public recognition that includes:
- A 10.0 Avvo rating for Steven J. Matz injury law
- Recognition among Michigan’s Top Attorneys
- Recognition from Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame
How Our Sterling Heights Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
In a Michigan car accident case, no-fault benefits may cover certain losses regardless of who caused the crash. If your injuries qualify under Michigan law, you may also have a claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and certain economic losses not covered by no-fault benefits.
Our job is to build that case carefully. We may:
- Investigate how the crash happened
- Gather police reports, photographs, video, medical records, and witness statements
- Work with outside professionals when liability or injury issues are disputed
- Identify all available insurance coverage
- Handle settlement negotiations with the insurance company
- File suit when the other side refuses to act reasonably
What Must Be Proven in a Michigan Car Accident Case
To recover compensation from the at-fault driver beyond available no-fault benefits, you generally must show that the other driver was negligent and that the negligence caused your injuries.
That often means proving the following:
- The other driver had a duty to operate the vehicle with reasonable care
- The other driver failed to meet that duty
- That failure caused the crash
- You suffered damages as a result
Evidence matters in every part of that process. The stronger the documentation, the stronger the claim.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Sterling Heights
Car accidents can happen for many reasons, but some causes appear again and again in injury claims:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Tailgating or unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Driving too fast for snow, ice, or rain
In many crashes, more than one bad decision is involved. A driver may be distracted and speeding, or impaired and ignoring traffic signals. A careful investigation helps show what actually happened.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Sterling Heights
Some injuries appear right away. Others take hours or days to become clear. Common injuries in Michigan car accident cases include:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Getting medical treatment promptly protects your health and creates a record connecting the crash to your injuries.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident in Sterling Heights?
Legal representation can make a real difference when injuries are serious, liability is disputed, or the insurance company is trying to undervalue the claim.
You should strongly consider speaking with a lawyer especially if:
- You suffered serious injuries
- The insurance company disputes fault
- The settlement offer feels too low
- More than one party may be responsible
- The crash involved an uninsured or underinsured driver
- A loved one died in the collision
Michigan’s no-fault system adds layers that can be difficult to sort through on your own, especially when a third-party claim against the at-fault driver may also be available.
What Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Matz Injury Law offers a free consultation. We work on contingency, which means you do not pay upfront. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee. If we recover compensation for you, our fee is 22% in many injury cases rather than the 33% many other firms charge.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Sterling Heights?
The sooner you get legal advice, the better. Early action can help preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and avoid preventable problems with the insurance claim.
After a crash, try to:
- Call 911 and get medical help if needed
- Report the crash to law enforcement
- Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, and visible injuries if you can do so safely
- Get contact and insurance information from the other driver
- Get names and contact information for witnesses
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Contact a Sterling Heights car accident lawyer to help you understand what to do next and what to avoid
Michigan Laws That Affect Sterling Heights Car Accident Cases
Several Michigan laws shape what happens after a car accident:
- Michigan’s no-fault law requires no-fault insurance coverage for covered motor vehicle accidents.
- A third-party claim for pain and suffering generally requires death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
- Michigan’s general statute of limitations for most injury claims is three years from the date of the injury.
- Claims for personal injury protection benefits are subject to separate notice and timing rules under Michigan law.
Deadlines and notice rules matter. Waiting too long can damage or even bar part of a claim.
Can I Sue After a Car Accident in Sterling Heights?
Yes, in the right circumstances. Michigan’s no-fault system does not prevent every lawsuit after a crash. If your injuries meet the legal threshold, or if you have other claims allowed under Michigan law, you may be able to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver.
Many cases resolve through negotiation, but some require litigation. Either way, your lawyer should build the case as though it may need to be proven in court.
Can I Sue for Pain and Suffering?
Possibly. In Michigan, pain and suffering claims are generally available only when the injured person can show death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
Pain and suffering damages can reflect the ways an injury changes daily life, including physical pain, emotional distress, and the loss of normal activities. These damages are not tied to a fixed formula. They depend on the facts, the severity of the injury, the medical proof, and the effect on the injured person’s life.
How Much Is a Sterling Heights Car Accident Case Worth?
Every case is different. The value of a claim depends on the seriousness of the injuries, the effect on your daily life, the available insurance coverage, and whether your injuries meet Michigan’s legal threshold for a third-party claim.
Depending on the facts, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Other out-of-pocket losses related to the crash
Michigan’s no-fault system can provide personal injury protection benefits for medical care and certain wage loss benefits regardless of fault. To pursue pain and suffering from the at-fault driver, the injured person generally must show death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement under Michigan law.
Any recovery may also be affected by comparative fault. If an injured person is partly responsible, that can reduce recoverable damages. Michigan law also limits recovery of non-economic damages when the injured person is more than 50% at fault.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Sterling Heights Car Accident?
Depending on the claim, recoverable damages may include economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages can include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Other documented financial losses related to the crash
Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering and the ways the injuries affect daily life. In a wrongful death claim, additional damages may be available depending on the circumstances.
Should I Accept the First Settlement Offer?
Usually not without legal advice. Early offers from insurance adjusters often come before the full impact of the injuries is clear. Once you accept a settlement, you usually cannot reopen the claim later if your condition worsens.
Before accepting any offer, it is wise to understand:
- Whether future treatment may be needed
- Whether lost income has been fully documented
- Whether the offer reflects the seriousness of the injury
- Whether other claims or coverage may still be available
How Long After a Car Accident Can I File a Claim in Michigan?
For many personal injury claims in Michigan, the general deadline is three years from the date of injury. Claims involving personal injury protection benefits follow separate notice and filing rules, and waiting too long can affect what benefits remain recoverable.
Because deadlines can vary depending on the type of claim and the facts involved, it is better to speak with a lawyer sooner rather than later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Look for When Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer in Sterling Heights?
Look for a lawyer with experience handling Michigan car accident and no-fault cases, a record of clear communication, and a fee structure you understand. It also helps to choose a law firm that is prepared to investigate the case thoroughly and, when needed, take it to court.
What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?
Your available options may depend on your own policy, including whether you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. No-fault benefits may still cover certain losses, and other claims may also be available depending on the facts.
Can I File a Claim After a Hit-and-Run Crash?
Yes, but it is important to report the crash promptly and preserve as much evidence as possible. Hit-and-run cases often raise insurance coverage questions, including whether uninsured motorist coverage may apply.
Get Answers After a Sterling Heights Car Accident
A serious crash can leave you with more questions than answers. You may be trying to manage medical care, missed work, vehicle damage, and pressure from insurance companies all at once. Matz Injury Law helps people in Sterling Heights and across Michigan understand their options and take the next step with confidence.
Call our law office at 866-226-6833 or fill out the contact form to schedule your free consultation with a car accident attorney today.
Written By Steven Matz
Steven J. Matz is the founder of Matz Injury Law, specializing in personal injury litigation with a focus on car accident victims. With over 40 years of legal experience, Mr. Matz has achieved numerous million-dollar settlements. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized among Michigan’s Top Attorneys. Steven J. Matz is a frequent lecturer on legal ethics and personal injury law, and serves on the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board.
