Do Large Detroit Law Firms Get Bigger Car Accident Settlements?
When someone is seriously injured in a Detroit car accident, one of the first questions that often comes up is whether hiring a large, heavily advertised law firm will lead to a bigger settlement. Many assume that the largest firms with the most flashy commercials have the resources and power to deliver the best results. However, what injured victims often discover too late is that these firms operate more like settlement factories who handle hundreds of cases at a time, with clients rarely having the opportunity to speak directly with an attorney.
At Ravid & Associates, P.C., we have built our practice differently. As a boutique Detroit personal injury law firm, we focus on individual representation—not mass production. Every client works directly with an attorney, not just a case manager or assistant. This hands-on approach allows us to identify details, evidence, and case strategies that large firms often overlook. Under Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Act (MCL 500.3101), attention to detail can make the difference between a minimal payout and a full recovery for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why Bigger Law Firms Don’t Always Mean Bigger Settlements
Large Detroit law firms often advertise that they have “won billions” or “settled thousands of cases,” but the truth behind those claims can be misleading. These firms rely on volume. Each case is often assigned to junior associates or case processors who follow templates rather than tailoring legal arguments to the facts of each accident.
Under MCL 500.3135, Michigan law allows accident victims to seek non-economic damages such as pain and suffering if a “threshold injury” is proven—typically one that causes serious impairment of body function or permanent disfigurement. Building a strong argument under this statute requires deep investigation, medical analysis, and personal involvement by the attorney. At large firms, attorneys often lack the time to meet with every client personally or review medical records in depth. As a result, valuable evidence that supports full compensation can easily be missed.
Smaller firms like ours have the time and motivation to explore every angle of a case. We do not settle cases simply to move on to the next file. Instead, we prepare every claim as though it will go to trial. Insurance companies recognize when they are facing a firm that is willing to fight—and that often leads to higher settlement offers.
Personalized Strategy Leads To Better Outcomes
Car accident cases in Michigan are not all alike. The law differentiates between first-party claims—filed under an individual’s personal injury protection (PIP) coverage—and third-party claims, which involve pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver. Each category involves different procedures, deadlines, and legal standards. For example, under MCL 500.3145, an injured party must file a PIP claim within one year of the accident to recover medical expenses or lost wages.
At a large firm, a missed filing deadline or miscommunication can permanently bar recovery. At Ravid & Associates, we manage every file meticulously. We review medical records, accident reports, and witness statements directly, ensuring that no critical facts or deadlines slip through the cracks. We also collaborate with medical experts, economists, and accident reconstruction specialists as needed to construct a case that maximizes the client’s compensation.
Personal attention is especially important when assessing long-term damages. Many accident victims suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, or chronic pain that will affect them for life. Large firms often settle quickly for short-term payouts. Our firm’s approach is to calculate the full lifetime cost of the injury—including future medical care and lost earning capacity—before even beginning settlement negotiations.
Communication Matters As Much As Compensation
One of the most common complaints we hear from clients who previously hired big firms is that they never knew what was happening with their case. Calls went unanswered, updates were rare, and they were treated like a number. That lack of communication can add stress and confusion during an already difficult time.
At Ravid & Associates, we take pride in our direct communication. Clients always know where their case stands, what strategy we are pursuing, and what to expect next. This transparency builds trust and allows us to make joint decisions that align with each client’s goals—something that’s nearly impossible in firms handling thousands of cases at once.
How Our Approach Levels The Playing Field Against Insurers
Insurance companies know the difference between a large advertising firm that wants quick settlements and a smaller law firm prepared to fight for every dollar. When insurers realize a firm is ready to take a case to trial, they tend to negotiate more fairly. Our firm has earned respect from insurance defense attorneys and claims adjusters because we prepare meticulously and do not hesitate to litigate when necessary.
Michigan’s comparative fault rule under MCL 600.2959 reduces recovery if an injured person is partially responsible for the crash. Establishing liability and minimizing fault requires careful review of police reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage—tasks that require an attorney’s personal attention. Large firms often delegate these critical responsibilities to staff, while we personally oversee the process to ensure accuracy and strength of the argument.
Our clients benefit from this approach not only through better settlements but also through peace of mind, knowing that their case is being handled by attorneys who care about outcomes, not quotas.
Why Victims Deserve Individual Representation
The aftermath of a Detroit car accident can be overwhelming. Medical bills, lost income, vehicle repairs, and insurance adjusters all demanding attention. In these moments, victims deserve representation that puts their recovery first. At Ravid & Associates, P.C., we believe in quality over quantity. Every client is a person, not a file number.
Large firms may dominate billboards, but success in a courtroom or at the negotiation table comes from preparation, persistence, and personalized advocacy. When the stakes are high, victims deserve a law firm that treats the case as if it were the only one that matters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Detroit Car Accident Settlements
Do Larger Detroit Law Firms Have More Resources To Handle Car Accident Cases?
While large firms have more staff, that does not necessarily translate to better results. Many of those resources are used for marketing, not client care. Smaller firms often provide more efficient, personalized representation because the attorneys themselves handle each case directly rather than delegating it to a team of non-attorney staff.
Is It True That Big Advertising Firms Settle Cases Faster?
Yes—but that is not always a good thing. Fast settlements often mean less money. Large firms are pressured to close cases quickly to maintain volume. Smaller firms can afford to take the time needed to build strong cases and negotiate for full compensation.
How Does Michigan’s No-Fault Law Affect My Settlement?
Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Law requires every driver to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which pays for medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. However, for pain and suffering compensation, victims must meet the threshold for a serious impairment under MCL 500.3135. Building this argument effectively requires careful review of medical evidence—a process large firms often streamline, to the client’s detriment.
Can I Switch Law Firms If I’m Unhappy With My Current Representation?
Yes. Michigan law allows clients to change attorneys at any point. The new attorney can handle the transition and ensure the former firm is paid only for the work it has already completed. Many clients come to smaller firms like ours after realizing they were not receiving the attention they expected from large advertising firms.
Do Smaller Firms Have Trial Experience?
At Ravid & Associates, P.C., we regularly take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse fair settlements. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience in Michigan courts and have recovered millions for car accident victims across Detroit and Southfield. Unlike big firms focused on quick resolutions, we prepare every case for litigation from the start.
Call Ravid & Associates, P.C. Today
At Ravid & Associates, P.C., we combine aggressive legal strategy with the personal attention large law firms cannot match. Our office, located in Southfield, Michigan, proudly represents car accident victims across Detroit and throughout the entire state.
Call our Detroit car accident attorney at Ravid & Associates, P.C. today at (248) 948-9696 to receive your free consultation. Discover how a dedicated, client-focused law firm can deliver powerful results without treating clients like numbers.
