A fatal car accident does not just take a life. It pulls a family into a legal and financial situation they never prepared for, while they are still in the middle of grieving. Insurance companies know that timeline, and they use it.
Our wrongful death car accident lawyers serve Dearborn families and communities throughout Wayne County, helping families pursue accountability and financial support without having to navigate that process alone.
Kajy Law handles only accident cases. Our 10 attorneys and 35+ legal professionals have recovered over $100 million for Michigan accident victims, and we work on contingency, meaning no fee unless we recover for your family.
Call us at 248-702-6641 or contact us onlinefor a free case review.
Injured in an Accident? Call Kajy Law Now!
Why Do Dearborn Families Need a Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer?
When a car accident results in death, Michigan law creates a separate legal process governed by the Wrongful Death Act, MCL 600.2922. A lawyer handles the investigation, insurance negotiations, and court filings so your family does not have to navigate that process alone while grieving.
This is not the same process as a standard injury claim. The parties who may file, the damages available, and the court through which the claim moves are all governed by distinct rules. In Wayne County, wrongful death claims run through the Wayne County Probate Court.
Families who are unfamiliar with that process face real procedural risks if they try to navigate it without legal help.
Insurance companies respond to fatal accidents quickly and strategically. Adjusters are assigned immediately and begin building a file designed to minimize the payout. Engaging an attorney early changes the dynamic before any damage is done.
Call us today for a free case review.
What Makes Wrongful Death Car Accident Cases in Dearborn Difficult to Handle Without a Lawyer?
Wrongful death claims involve more legal complexity, tighter procedural deadlines, and more parties than a standard injury case. Evidence disappears quickly, insurance companies move immediately, and Michigan's comparative fault rules can directly affect how much your family recovers.
Here is where families most commonly face obstacles, and how our team works through them:
An early settlement offer arrives. Insurers make fast offers after fatal accidents. Those offers rarely reflect the full scope of what Michigan's wrongful death statute allows. We assess every available category of damages before any offer is evaluated.
Fault is disputed. Michigan applies a modified comparative fault rule under MCL 600.2957. If the deceased driver shared some responsibility for the crash, that may reduce recovery, but it does not automatically bar a claim. We build a clear, documented account of how the accident happened before any determination of fault is accepted.
Evidence disappears fast. Surveillance footage from businesses along Michigan Avenue, Schaefer Road, or near the Southfield Freeway interchange in Dearborn is typically overwritten within days.
We move immediately to preserve police reports, crash reconstruction data, black box information, and any available camera footage from the area.
Multiple parties may share liability. Fatal crashes in Dearborn sometimes involve commercial trucks operating on I-94 or along Dearborn's industrial corridors, defective vehicle components, or hazardous road conditions. Each adds a potential source of recovery that requires its own investigation.
The family does not know who can legally file. Michigan law limits who may bring a wrongful death lawsuit. Our team clarifies that from the first conversation so the claim is filed correctly through the Wayne County Probate Court and no eligible beneficiary is left out.
Reach out to our team to talk through your situation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Dearborn?
Michigan law gives surviving family members three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit under MCL 600.2922. That deadline is generally firm, and missing it eliminates the right to pursue a claim in court.
Note: Cases involving government entities, including the City of Dearborn or Wayne County agencies, may involve significantly shorter notice requirements. An attorney should review the specific timeline in your situation as early as possible.
The claim is filed by the personal representative of the deceased person's estate. Eligible beneficiaries who may share in any recovery typically include a surviving spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings who suffered a measurable loss.
When no personal representative has been appointed, the Wayne County Probate Court may appoint one.
Michigan's comparative fault rule under MCL 600.2957 may reduce recovery proportionally if the deceased driver was found partly at fault. A claim is barred entirely only if the deceased is found to be more than 50% responsible for the crash.
Three years feels like a long time in the immediate aftermath of a loss. In practice, investigating a fatal crash, securing evidence, identifying every liable party, and preparing the legal filing takes significant time. Starting early protects every option available to your family.
What Compensation Can Dearborn Families Recover After a Fatal Car Accident?
Michigan's wrongful death statute allows surviving family members to pursue compensation for medical costs, funeral expenses, lost income, lost household services, and the loss of the relationship itself.
Insurance adjusters routinely present early offers that focus narrowly on documented expenses and omit the non-economic categories entirely.
Here is what may be available to your family:
Medical expenses. Emergency care, hospitalization, and any treatment the deceased received after the accident and before death.
Funeral and burial costs. Reasonable expenses related to the death and burial arrangements.
Lost financial support. The wages, benefits, and income the deceased would have contributed to the household over their working lifetime.
Lost household services. Childcare, home maintenance, and other practical contributions the deceased made that the family must now manage without.
Loss of companionship and guidance. Surviving spouses, children, and parents may pursue compensation for the loss of the relationship itself, including love, companionship, and parental guidance.
Pain and suffering of the deceased. If your loved one survived for a period after the accident, compensation may be available for what they experienced before death.
Our team works to account for the full picture, including long-term financial impact on your household, not just the expenses already on paper. We have previously recovered $267,000 for the spouse of a motorcyclist killed in an accident.
View our full case results to see what Michigan families have recovered with Kajy Law.
Do We Handle Your Dearborn Wrongful Death Case?
You may have a viable wrongful death claim if a family member died as a result of a car accident caused by another driver's negligence, recklessness, or unlawful conduct in Dearborn or the surrounding Wayne County area.
Our attorneys handle cases involving:
- Fatal crashes caused by speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving on I-94, Michigan Avenue, or the Southfield Freeway
- Accidents involving commercial trucks traveling through Dearborn's industrial and freight corridors
- Crashes caused by defective vehicle components or hazardous road conditions
- Multi-vehicle collisions where fault is shared across more than one party
The Attorneys on Your Side
The team handling your case includes Lawrence Kajy, recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in 2024 and 2025 and featured in the Detroit Legal News.
He earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where he served as Director of Academic Affairs of the Arab and Chaldean Law Student Association, a connection to Dearborn's community that informs how our firm approaches every case.
Preston Denha, our Managing Attorney and a lifelong Metro Detroit resident, focuses on holding insurance companies accountable when they undervalue or deny claims.
Shawn McKay, our Head of Litigation and a Super Lawyers Rising Star, handles the cases that require a courtroom.
The most direct way to know whether your family has a claim is to speak with one of our attorneys. We review the facts, explain Michigan law as it applies to your situation, and give your family a clear picture of the options.
There is no cost for that conversation and no obligation to move forward.
Ask Kajy Law
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Michigan after a car accident in Dearborn?
In Michigan, a wrongful death lawsuit is filed by the personal representative of the deceased person's estate. Eligible beneficiaries who may share in any recovery typically include a surviving spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings.
If no personal representative has been appointed, the Wayne County Probate Court may appoint one. An attorney can clarify exactly who qualifies in your specific situation.
Can I still file a wrongful death claim if my loved one was partly at fault for the crash?
Yes, in most cases. Michigan's comparative fault rules may reduce recovery proportionally if the deceased shared some responsibility for the crash. A claim is only barred entirely if the deceased is found to be more than 50% at fault.
The specific facts of the accident determine how fault is allocated, which is why a thorough early investigation matters.
How much does a wrongful death attorney cost in Dearborn?
Kajy Law handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost and no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for your family. The fee is a percentage of the recovery, and we explain all terms clearly before any agreement is signed.
What if the driver who caused the fatal accident did not have enough insurance?
If the at-fault driver's policy is insufficient, other sources of recovery may be available, including underinsured motorist coverage from the deceased's own policy or claims against additional liable parties such as a trucking company or vehicle manufacturer. We identify all available paths during the initial case evaluation.
What if the fatal accident involved a commercial truck near Dearborn?
Commercial truck cases involve additional layers of liability beyond the driver, including the trucking company, the cargo loader, and the truck's maintenance records.
Federal FMCSA regulations govern commercial carriers, and violations of those rules can strengthen a wrongful death claim significantly. Our team handles these as a distinct case type with its own investigation strategy.
FAQ for Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer in Dearborn, MI
How is a wrongful death case different from a personal injury case in Michigan?
A wrongful death case arises when a car accident results in death rather than survivable injury. The claim is filed on behalf of the deceased person's estate, and compensation flows to surviving family members, not the injured person.
Michigan's wrongful death statute creates specific rules about who may file, what damages are available, and how the recovery is distributed through the Wayne County Probate Court. These procedural differences mean the case moves through entirely different legal channels than a standard car accident claim.
Will my family have to go to court?
Most wrongful death cases resolve through settlement before trial. However, some cases require litigation to reach a fair result, and our team does not avoid that work. Shawn McKay, our Head of Litigation and a Super Lawyers Rising Star, leads the team that handles cases that go to court. If a trial becomes necessary, your family will be prepared for what to expect at every stage of the process.
How long does a wrongful death car accident case typically take in Michigan?
The timeline depends on the complexity of the accident, the number of parties involved, and whether the case resolves through settlement or requires litigation. Cases with clear liability and cooperative insurers may resolve in months.
Cases involving disputed fault, multiple defendants, or commercial carriers often take longer. We give families realistic timelines from the beginning and maintain consistent communication throughout.
Can a wrongful death claim be filed if the at-fault driver was uninsured?
Yes. If the at-fault driver was uninsured, your family may still have options, including a claim under uninsured motorist coverage if the deceased carried that coverage on their own policy.
There may also be claims against other parties whose negligence contributed to the crash. We identify every available path to recovery during the initial case review.
What should surviving family members avoid doing after a fatal car accident in Dearborn?
Avoid signing any documents, providing recorded statements, or accepting any offer from an insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to settle quickly and for as little as possible, and early contact is often an attempt to close the case before the full scope of damages is understood.
Our team takes over all legal and insurance communications from the first call so your family can focus on one another.
Related Resources from Kajy Law
These pages may be helpful depending on your situation:
- Dearborn Car Accident Lawyer — Local representation for Dearborn accident victims throughout Wayne County.
- Dearborn Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer — What to do when a commercial truck or delivery vehicle is involved in your case.
- Dearborn Rideshare Accident Lawyer — How rideshare accidents in Dearborn affect liability and your claim.
- Why You Need a Lawyer for a Fatal Car Accident in Detroit — A deeper look at how wrongful death claims work in the Metro Detroit area.
- Case Results — Outcomes our firm has achieved for Michigan accident victims and their families.
- Contact Kajy Law — Reach our team directly.
Your Family Should Have Someone Building a Case While You Focus on Each Other
Insurance companies assign experienced adjusters to fatal accident claims immediately. They are organized, motivated, and working from day one. Your family deserves the same level of preparation on your side.
Preston Denha grew up in Metro Detroit and has spent his legal career holding insurance companies accountable in communities like Dearborn.
Lawrence Kajy's ties to Dearborn's Arab and Chaldean community run through his legal education and into the way this firm operates. He built Kajy Law because he saw what happened when families faced these situations without real legal support.
Shawn McKay handles the cases that require a courtroom.
Our office is in Southfield, less than 15 minutes from Dearborn, and we serve clients throughout Wayne County seven days a week. Free consultations, contingency fee basis, no cost unless we recover for your family.
Call Kajy Law at 248-702-6641 or contact us online to schedule your free case review.
Kajy Law Firm 18000 W Nine Mile Rd #1400, Southfield, MI 48075