Michigan Auto Law – Quick Facts about our Attorneys

Here at Michigan Auto Law, our attorneys have achieved more million dollar verdicts and settlements for auto accident cases than any other personal injury law firm in Michigan. We are the largest law firm in the state specializing in car accidents, truck accidents and motorcycle accidents, and we have been protecting injury victims for more than 50 years.

Year after year, Michigan Auto Law is recognized by legal experts for our unmatched success, leadership and ethics. But our greatest accomplishment is the way we make our clients feel. Our firm is large enough to provide the resources to handle the most challenging cases, yet we also give the personalized, responsive attention that every client deserves. When you call Michigan Auto Law, you will always be treated with the utmost respect, compassion and consideration.

We invite you to read client testimonials or watch videos of real accident victims whose lives we have changed. If you wish to speak to an auto accident attorney directly about your circumstances, call us at (800) 777-0028. Meanwhile, please consider the following facts about our law firm.

Top Verdicts and Settlements

Top Settlement, Jury Verdict, 2009-10

According to a year-end verdicts and settlements report by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Michigan Auto Law partner David Christensen received the highest reported car accident jury verdict in the state for 2009. Partner Steven Gursten received the highest reported car accident settlement in Michigan for the year.

Top Settlement, Jury Verdict, 2008-09

Steven Gursten received the highest 2008 settlement and auto negligence jury verdict in the state, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly. The settlement was for a truck accident wrongful death case and the verdict was for a pedestrian in an auto accident.

Top Reported Jury Verdicts

Michigan Auto Law has recovered the top reported jury verdict for Michigan automobile accident cases in seven of the last 10 years, including 2009, as said by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. The firm has nearly 20 jury verdicts of more than $1 million for Michigan car accident and truck accident victims.

More than 98 Percent of Michigan Auto Law Cases Result in Great Settlements

We have an excellent trial record that defense attorneys pay to avoid. This makes for larger settlements and faster returns. No other personal injury firm in Michigan can match our results — 98 percent of our cases end with outstanding settlements.

the highest reported settlement in the entire state of Michigan.

Largest Pain and Suffering Settlement

Steven Gursten received the largest reported settlement in Michigan — $9 million — for a pain and suffering car accident case. This settlement was the largest pain and suffering settlement in Michigan in the past decade, stated Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Legal Awards

Michigan Leader in the Law, 2008

Steven Gursten has been honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a 2008 Leader in the Law. Out of more than 40,000 Michigan lawyers, he was chosen among the state’s top 25 for his continuing efforts to force unsafe trucking companies to comply with mandatory state and federal regulations.

Michigan Lawyer of the Year, 2005

Steven Gursten was named Michigan Lawyer of the Year in Michigan Lawyers Weekly. The newspaper quoted, “Gursten is clearly doing something right. Perhaps it's the fact that his firm is the largest in the state specializing in serious car and truck accident cases. Perhaps it's the fact that he's willing to take difficult cases to trial and continues to receive spectacular results. Perhaps it's the fact that he practices law with honesty and integrity. Most likely, it's all of these things.”

Local Honors

Michigan Super Lawyers, 2007-10

All five partners of Michigan Auto Law have been selected as Michigan Super Lawyers; Lawrence Gursten, Leonard Koltonow, Steven Gursten, David Christensen and Robert Raitt. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. It is limited to the top 5 percent of attorneys.

Best Lawyers in Metro Detroit, 2008-10

Lawrence Gursten and Steven Gursten have been named the Best Lawyers in metro Detroit in DBusiness magazine, under the personal injury litigation specialty. The magazine honored Michigan lawyers who are well-versed, respected and successful in nearly every aspect of the law.

Crain's Detroit Business Best Lawyers, 2009-10

Lawrence Gursten and Steven Gursten have been named in Crain's Detroit Business among the best lawyers in metro Detroit. They are listed in the personal injury litigation specialty, for their outstanding ethics, reputation and legal accomplishments.

National Honors

Best Lawyers in America, 2007-10

Lawrence Gursten and Steven Gursten were selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers publication, which is based on an exhaustive peer-review of two million evaluations by top lawyers across the country. It is considered the definitive guide to excellence in the United States and is limited to the top 2.4 percent of attorneys.

AV-Rated Lawyers, 2007-10

All five partners of Michigan Auto Law also have AV Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest mark for legal ability and legal ethics based upon confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. This rating shows that an experienced lawyer has reached the peak of professional excellence and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2007-10

Lawrence Gursten and Steven Gursten were named Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association. The association is a national organization composed of the top lawyers from each state, where membership is only extended to attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications of leadership, reputation and stature.

Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, 2007-10

Michigan Auto Law is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, the nation’s most exclusive lawyer directory for more than 80 years. Only 5 percent of attorneys qualify and are included, making Michigan Auto Law one of the most distinguished and respected in the country.

Legal Leadership

President, Negligence Law Section, State Bar of Michigan, 2010-11

David Christensen will serve as president of the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section. The section is the largest single section of the bar, and composed of more than 4,300 litigators. Its purpose is to promote the fair, equitable and speedy administration of negligence litigation in Michigan Courts.

President, Michigan Association for Justice, 2007-08

Robert Raitt, a partner of Michigan Auto Law, is immediate past president of the Michigan Association for Justice, the state’s largest organization of trial lawyers and consumer advocates representing the needs of accident victims. Michigan Auto Law has been a long-standing member, contributor and lecturer to the organization, formerly called the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association.

President, Interstate Truck Accident Litigation Group, American Association for Justice, 2007-08

Steven Gursten served as chair of the American Association for Justice Truck Accident Litigation Group. The group’s mission is to educate and assist lawyers handling serious truck accident cases throughout the United States. The American Association for Justice is the nation’s largest association of advocates serving the needs of injury victims, with more than 50,000 lawyer members. Michigan Auto Law has been a long-standing member, contributor and lecturer to the organization, formerly called the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association for Justice, 2007-10

Steven Gursten serves on the board of the American Association for Justice Traumatic Brain Injury Group; a group of trial lawyers who dedicate major portions of their legal practices to helping victims of traumatic brain injury.

Co-Chair, Auto No-Fault Committee, Michigan Association for Justice, 2005-10

Steven Gursten was co-chair of the Michigan Association for Justice Auto No-Fault Committee. The committee’s mission is to provide education, training and assistance to Michigan auto accident lawyers. It is actively engaged in seeking political and legislative correction to issues facing car accident victims, including first- and third-party tort legislation.

Board of Governors, Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America, 2007-10

Steven Gursten serves on the Board of Governors for the Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America, a national association of committed lawyers who have joined to help eliminate unsafe and illegal interstate trucking practices.  

Michigan Auto Law has helped people who were told they had no case or that their case was too old. Call (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation with an auto accident lawyer. You can also use our consultation form. Our attorneys are here to fight for you.