When You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Berkley, MI, Local Experience Matters

A car accident can upend your life in a matter of seconds. One moment you're on Coolidge Highway or heading home from work on I-696, and the next you're dealing with police reports, insurance adjusters, medical appointments, and bills you weren't expecting. It's disorienting. And in the middle of all of it, you're expected to make decisions that could affect your financial recovery for years.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we've been helping Metro Detroit and Berkley-area families through exactly this kind of moment for over 50 years. We know what Michigan's no-fault system looks like from the inside. We've recovered more than $100 million for people who were hurt through no fault of their own. And we've done it right here, from our office on Coolidge Highway, as neighbors, not as a distant firm with a catchy billboard.

What Makes a Car Accident Claim in Michigan Different from Other States

Michigan operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means that after a car accident, your own insurance company, not the at-fault driver's, is primarily responsible for covering your medical expenses and certain other losses. This is handled through Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, benefits.

What PIP Benefits Cover

Medical expenses related to the accident, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescriptions
A portion of lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working
Replacement services for household tasks you can no longer perform, such as lawn care or childcare
Attendant care if you require in-home assistance during recovery

When You Can Step Outside the No-Fault System

Michigan law allows you to pursue a claim directly against the at-fault driver, but only when your injuries meet a specific legal threshold. Generally, this means your injuries must be serious, such as permanent disfigurement, significant impairment of a body function, or death. Navigating this threshold is one of the most consequential decisions in a Michigan injury case, and it's one of the reasons having an experienced local attorney matters from day one.

The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in the Berkley and Metro Detroit Area

We see car accident cases from across the Metro Detroit region, and many of them share common threads. The roads around Berkley, including Woodward Avenue, 12 Mile Road, Greenfield, and the I-696 corridor, carry a lot of traffic and are no strangers to serious crashes.

Distracted driving — Phone use, in-dash navigation systems, and other distractions remain one of the leading causes of accidents in Michigan
Speeding — Residential roads and busy commercial corridors alike see drivers pushing well past safe speeds, especially during commuter hours
Drunk and impaired driving — DUI-related crashes cause some of the most catastrophic injuries we handle
Failure to yield — Intersections around Berkley and Oak Park are frequent sites of T-bone and turning collisions
Aggressive driving and unsafe lane changes — Common on I-696, I-75, and M-10
Poor road conditions and construction zones — Michigan roads are notoriously rough, and construction season adds additional hazards every summer

Injuries We See Most Often After a Michigan Car Accident

No two accidents are identical, but certain injuries come up again and again in the cases we handle. Some are immediately obvious. Others don't fully surface until days or weeks after the crash, which is one reason we always encourage people to get medical attention even when they feel okay at first.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion — Even a moderate TBI can affect memory, concentration, mood, and daily functioning for months or years
Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs — Back injuries are among the most common and most debilitating results of a collision
Neck injuries and whiplash — The sudden force of a rear-end crash puts tremendous strain on the cervical spine
Shoulder, knee, and soft tissue injuries — Often underestimated at first, these injuries frequently require surgery and extended rehabilitation
Broken bones and fractures — Wrists, ribs, and legs are particularly vulnerable in side-impact and rollover crashes
Anxiety, depression, and PTSD — The psychological impact of a serious crash is real and compensable, yet often overlooked in early claims

What to Do After a Car Accident in Berkley, MI

The steps you take in the hours and days following a crash have a direct effect on both your health and your legal options. Here's what we tell people when they call us right after an accident.

At the Scene

Stay at the scene and call 911, even for accidents that seem minor
Get the other driver's name, license plate, insurance information, and contact details
Take photos of both vehicles, the road, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries
Collect contact information from any witnesses
Get the police report number before you leave

In the Days That Follow

Seek medical attention promptly, even if you feel well. Some injuries, including concussion and internal injuries, don't show immediate symptoms
Notify your own insurance company that the accident occurred, but be cautious about giving detailed recorded statements
Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without speaking to an attorney first
Do not accept any settlement offer until you understand the full extent of your injuries and losses
Contact a car accident attorney as early as possible to preserve evidence and protect your rights

How LSM Lawyers Handles Car Accident Cases in Michigan

When you call our office, you're not going to get a case number and a case handler you've never met. From day one, you work with our whole team. Tony Shapero personally calls new clients to introduce himself and learn the details of what happened. That's not a policy, it's just how we operate.

We handle every aspect of the claim on your behalf, including communication with the insurance companies, gathering medical records, working with your doctors, and building the strongest possible case for your recovery. You focus on getting better. We handle everything else.

Free initial consultation — No pressure, no obligation, just an honest conversation about your situation
Contingency fee basis — We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront legal fees
Proactive updates — We check in throughout the process. You won't be wondering what's happening with your case
Full team approach — You have access to attorneys, paralegals, and support staff who all know your case
Serious litigation capability — We are prepared to take cases to trial when that's what it takes to get a fair result

What Compensation May Be Available After a Car Accident

Every case is different, and results depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved. That said, Michigan car accident victims may be entitled to recover several categories of compensation.

PIP benefits — Medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and replacement services through your own insurer
Pain and suffering damages — Available against the at-fault driver when your injuries meet Michigan's legal threshold for serious impairment
Excess medical costs — Future care expenses that exceed what PIP covers
Loss of consortium — Compensation for the impact serious injuries have on your family relationships
Wrongful death damages — For families who have lost a loved one in a fatal crash

The Firm That Knows This Community and Knows This Law

Michigan's no-fault system can feel like a maze when you're dealing with it for the first time. Insurance adjusters use language designed to minimize what you're owed. Deadlines are tighter than most people realize. And the decisions you make in the first few weeks after a crash can have consequences that follow you for years. Having a local attorney who understands both the law and the community you live in changes the dynamic entirely.

We've been part of Berkley and the Metro Detroit area long enough to understand what our neighbors are going through when something like this happens. We've handled hundreds of car accident cases, and we've seen how much it matters to have someone in your corner who treats your situation with the seriousness it deserves. If you've been hurt in a car accident in Berkley, Oak Park, Royal Oak, Southfield, or anywhere in Metro Detroit, we'd like the chance to talk with you about what your options look like.

Let's Talk About What Happened

Reach out to LSM Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation. Managing Partner Tony Shapero personally calls new clients, and our team will take the time to listen to your story and give you an honest picture of where you stand.

Call us: 248-584-1300
Toll-free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)
Website: lsmlawyers.com
Office: 2695 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072

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