No phone call is harder to make than the one where you have to explain what happened. Your family is already carrying the weight of that loss. The last thing you should have to carry is an insurance company's strategy to minimize what your loved one's life was worth.
Our wrongful death car accident lawyers serve Detroit families throughout Wayne County and the broader Metro Detroit area. 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 orcontact us online for a free case review.
Injured in an Accident? Call Kajy Law Now!
Why Do Detroit 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 investigates the crash, handles all insurance communications, files the claim through the correct legal channels, and pursues every source of compensation so your family is not negotiating alone against an experienced adjuster.
Insurance companies respond quickly after fatal accidents. Their adjusters are assigned immediately and begin building a file designed to limit the payout. Families who engage legal counsel early are in a stronger position from the start.
Our Detroit wrongful death attorneys investigate how the crash happened, secure evidence before it is lost, and identify every party that may bear responsibility.
That work often extends beyond the at-fault driver to include commercial carriers, vehicle manufacturers, or road maintenance agencies depending on the circumstances.
Meet Our Team
Lawrence Kajy, our founder, has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in both 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 published research on Michigan's No-Fault Act.
Preston Denha, our Managing Attorney and a lifelong Metro Detroit resident, focuses on holding insurance companies accountable when they deny or undervalue claims.
Shawn McKay leads our litigation team and has secured tens of millions of dollars in results for Michigan accident victims.
Call us today for a free case review.
Hear From Our Clients
What Makes Wrongful Death Car Accident Cases in Detroit Difficult to Handle Alone?
Wrongful death claims involve more legal complexity, more parties, and tighter procedural rules than a standard injury case. Evidence disappears quickly, insurance companies move fast, and Michigan's comparative fault rules can directly affect how much your family may recover.
Here is where families most commonly run into obstacles, and how our team works through them:
An early settlement offer arrives. Insurance companies make fast offers after fatal accidents. Those offers rarely reflect the full scope of what Michigan's wrongful death statute allows. We assess every category of damages before any offer is evaluated.
Fault is disputed. Michigan uses a modified comparative fault system underMCL 600.2957. If the deceased driver shared some responsibility for the crash, that may reduce recovery but does not automatically bar a claim. We work to build a clear, documented account of what happened and who was responsible.
Critical evidence is time-sensitive. Dashcam footage, traffic cameras on I-94, the Lodge Freeway, or I-75 through Detroit get overwritten quickly. Witness accounts fade. We move immediately to preserve police reports, crash reconstruction data, and any available video from the scene.
Multiple parties may share liability. Fatal crashes in Detroit sometimes involve commercial trucks, defective vehicle components, or hazardous road conditions. Each adds a potential source of recovery that requires separate investigation and legal strategy.
The family is unsure who can legally file. Michigan law limits who may bring a wrongful death lawsuit. Our team clarifies that process from the first conversation so the claim is filed correctly and no eligible beneficiary is left out.
Reach out to our Southfield office to talk through your situation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Detroit?
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 typically eliminates the right to pursue a claim in court entirely.
Note: Cases involving government entities, including the City of Detroit or Wayne County agencies, may involve shorter notice requirements, sometimes as little as six months. An attorney should review your specific timeline as early as possible.
In Michigan, the 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 who suffered a measurable loss.
When no personal representative has been appointed, the Wayne County Probate Court may appoint one.
Three years can feel distant in the immediate aftermath of a loss. In practice, investigating a fatal crash, identifying all liable parties, and preparing a proper legal filing takes substantial time. Starting early protects every option available to your family.
What Compensation May Be Available 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. The full value of a wrongful death claim is almost always greater than what an insurance adjuster presents in an initial offer.
Here is what may be available:
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 income, wages, and benefits 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 now has to manage without.
Loss of companionship and guidance. Surviving spouses, children, and parents may pursue compensation for the loss of the relationship, 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.
Adjusters routinely focus on the most easily documented expenses and undervalue or omit the non-economic categories entirely. Our team accounts for the full picture, including the long-term financial impact on your household.
We have previously recovered $267,000 for the spouse of a motorcyclist killed in an accident, and $325,000 for a Detroit driver involved in a T-bone collision resulting in serious spinal injury. View our full case results to see what Michigan families have recovered with Kajy Law.
Do We Handle Your Case in Detroit?
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 Detroit or the surrounding Wayne County area.
Our attorneys handle cases involving:
- Fatal crashes caused by speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving on I-94, I-75, or the Lodge Freeway
- Accidents involving commercial trucks or semi-trucks traveling through Detroit's 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 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 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 accident?
Yes, in most cases. Michigan's comparative fault rules may reduce recovery proportionally if the deceased shared some responsibility for the crash. However, 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 Detroit?
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 accident did not have enough insurance?
If the at-fault driver's coverage 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.
How long does a wrongful death car accident case 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 goes to trial. Cases with clear liability may resolve in months. Cases involving disputed fault or multiple defendants often take longer. We give families realistic expectations from the start and maintain consistent communication throughout.
FAQ for Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer in Detroit, 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 when the accident occurs in Detroit.
These procedural differences mean the case moves through different legal channels than a standard injury 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 leads our litigation team and has secured tens of millions of dollars in results for Michigan accident victims. If a trial becomes necessary, families are prepared for what to expect at each stage.
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 such coverage on their own policy. There may also be claims against other parties whose negligence contributed to the crash.
We identify all available paths to recovery during the initial case review.
What should surviving family members avoid doing after a fatal car accident in Detroit?
Avoid signing any documents, giving recorded statements, or accepting any offer from an insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to settle claims quickly and for as little as possible.
Early contact from an insurer 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.
What if the fatal accident involved a commercial truck in Detroit?
Commercial truck accidents involve additional layers of liability, including the trucking company, the cargo loader, and the truck's maintenance history. Federal regulations from the FMCSA govern commercial carriers, and violations of those rules can strengthen a wrongful death claim. Our team handles truck accident wrongful death cases as a distinct category with its own investigation strategy.
Related Resources from Kajy Law
If your situation involves related questions, these pages may be helpful:
- Detroit Car Accident Lawyer — Local representation for Detroit accident victims from a firm that knows Wayne County.
- Michigan Car Accident Lawyers — How our team handles crash claims and insurance disputes across Michigan.
- Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers — What makes commercial truck cases different and how we build those claims.
- Detroit Motorcycle Accident Lawyer — Rights and claims for motorcyclists and surviving family members.
- Why You Need a Lawyer for a Fatal Car Accident in Detroit — A deeper look at how wrongful death claims work in Detroit.
- Case Results — Outcomes our firm has achieved for Michigan accident victims and their families.
- Contact Kajy Law — Reach our team directly.
Your Family Should Not Have to Figure This Out Alone
Insurance companies start building their case the moment a fatal accident is reported. They are experienced, organized, and motivated to resolve claims for as little as possible. Your family deserves the same level of preparation on your side.
Lawrence Kajy built this firm after watching other attorneys take easy settlements and leave clients without real representation. That is still the problem Kajy Law was built to solve. Preston Denha grew up in Metro Detroit and has spent his career holding insurance companies accountable for the clients they try to underpay. Shawn McKay takes the cases to court when a fair result cannot be reached any other way.
Our office is located in Southfield, 15 to 20 minutes north of downtown Detroit, and we serve families throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. We offer free consultations, work on contingency, and our team is available seven days a week.
Call Kajy Law at 248-702-6641 or contact us online to schedule your free case review. No fee unless we recover for your family.
Kajy Law Firm 18000 W Nine Mile Rd #1400, Southfield, MI 48075