Detroit facts that matter in a fatal crash case
- Detroit recorded 104 traffic fatalities in 2024, according to the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts Wayne County profile. Source
- A Michigan wrongful death claim must be brought by the personal representative of the estate, and the appointment is ordinarily sought in the county where the person lived, which for Detroit residents is the Wayne County Probate Court (1307 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit). Source
No-fault benefits for the family
No-fault pays funeral and burial expenses and survivors’ loss benefits to dependents, from the insurer first in line under the priority rules. The one-year notice rule applies.
The wrongful death claim
Michigan’s wrongful death act (MCL 600.2922) lets the estate recover from anyone whose negligence caused the death. Death satisfies the no-fault threshold, so the estate does not have to prove a threshold injury.
The personal representative
The suit must be brought by a personal representative appointed by the probate court. The general limit is three years (MCL 600.5805). MCL 600.5852 lets the personal representative sue within two years after letters of authority are issued, but no later than three years after the general limit runs.
For a death in Detroit, the estate is usually opened in the Wayne County Probate Court (1307 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit), the probate court for the county where the person lived.
Detroit courts, police and hospitals
| Crash reports | Detroit Police Department |
|---|---|
| District court | 36th District Court (421 Madison St., Detroit) (serves City of Detroit) |
| Circuit court | 3rd Circuit Court (Wayne County), Detroit |
| Probate court | Wayne County Probate Court (1307 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit) |
| Trauma centers | DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital & University Health Center (Level I, in Detroit); Henry Ford Hospital (Level I, in Detroit); Ascension St. John Hospital (Henry Ford St. John Hospital) (Level I (adult); Level II (pediatric), in Detroit); DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital (Level II, in Detroit) |
| Major roads | I-75, I-94, I-96, M-10 (John C. Lodge Freeway), M-39 (Southfield Freeway), M-1 (Woodward Avenue) |
| From our office | About 35 minutes to downtown by car (approximate) |
What to do now
- Ask the probate court about opening an estate, or call us and we will guide the process.
- Get the crash report and any medical examiner records.
- Notify the auto insurers in writing within one year.
- Do not sign releases or give statements to the at-fault driver’s insurer.
- Keep funeral bills and records of the person’s income and household work.
One year. Give your no-fault insurer written notice within one year of the crash. Use the deadline calculator to see every date for your case.
Other Detroit crash cases we handle
- Detroit car accidents
- Detroit truck accident
- Detroit pedestrian accident
- Detroit Uber and Lyft accident
Sources: Michigan courts directory, Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (2024), the DIFS Level I and II trauma center list, the Michigan Compiled Laws and local agency websites, checked October 2026.
Questions people ask us
Who can file a wrongful death claim after a fatal crash in Detroit?
Only the personal representative of the estate, appointed by the probate court. The recovery is then divided among the spouse, children, parents and other relatives the statute lists, under court supervision.
How long does the family have?
Generally three years from the death, with a saving period of up to two years after letters of authority are issued. No-fault funeral and survivors’ benefits require written notice within one year.
Where would a Detroit case be filed?
Claims of $25,000 or less usually go to the 36th District Court. Larger claims and most injury lawsuits go to circuit court, the 3rd Circuit Court for Wayne County. Venue can also depend on where a defendant lives or does business.