Michigan Pedestrian AccidentLawyers

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Fighting on Behalf of Injured Pedestrians

Pedestrian vs. car accidents are particularly devastating, often leaving victims with serious injuries or families without their loved ones. In Michigan, these accidents are on the rise. They represent nearly 15% of all roadway fatalities in the state, with a notable 17% increase in deadly accidents between 2020 and 2022. In 2022, there were 1,897 pedestrian-involved crashes in Michigan, with 173 fatalities.

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a pedestrian accident, our qualified attorneys at Fieger Law can help secure the compensation you deserve. We know how tough these injuries can be and are here to fight for you, letting you focus on getting better.

Understanding Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can lead to a variety of injuries, ranging from minor to severe, including:

  • Sprained ankles
  • Broken legs
  • Concussions
  • Dislocated shoulders
  • Head trauma
  • Death

The most common pedestrian accidents in Michigan include:

  • Crossing the Road: In 2022, there were 19 pedestrian deaths from crossing at intersections and another 43 from crossing roads away from intersections.
  • Being in the Roadway: In 2022, roadway traffic was responsible for the deaths of around 80 pedestrians.
  • Other Reasons: Pedestrians getting in and out of a vehicle resulted in 3 deaths, and there was one fatality that occurred while a pedestrian was standing near a disabled vehicle.

At Fieger Law, we understand how deeply these catastrophic injuries can affect your life. We will carefully review your case to determine the responsible party and then negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries.

Pedestrian Accident Case?

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Call 24/7248-985-9009

Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Detroit

Detroit had 28.71 deaths per 100,000 individuals and 6.16 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people in 2020, ranking second and third, respectively, among U.S. cities with at least 500,000 residents, according to the 2022 Streets for People: Detroit Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. Between 2019 and 2020, fatalities on Detroit’s surface streets jumped from 94 to 150, more than a 50% increase in just one year, far eclipsing the national trend.

The increase in pedestrian fatalities across the United States is associated with the popularity of heavy light-duty vehicles like SUVs, which transmit greater force at any speed above 20mph, according to the Detroit report.

Consider the following statistics:

  • When struck by a vehicle traveling 20 mph: 9 out of 10 pedestrians survive.
  • When struck by a vehicle traveling 30 mph: 5 out of 10 pedestrians survive.
  • When struck by a vehicle traveling 40 mph: 1 out of 10 pedestrians survive.

Detroit officials recently launched an online “dashboard” for city residents that allows the public to explore traffic safety conditions in Detroit. The $2 million project, named “SMART MODES,” offers an online webpage with critical data.

The dashboard takes users to a site full of graphs and maps showing real-time traffic information citywide, including the most dangerous intersections in Detroit (where pedestrians are often injured).  The dashboard also provides historical statistics about accidents and traffic violations, enabling people to examine trends in specific neighborhoods.

Seeking Compensation for Pedestrian Accidents

Being injured as a pedestrian can lead to severe consequences, including the need for long-term medical care, lost wages from time off work, and a challenging recovery process. Fieger Law is dedicated to assisting you in obtaining compensation for all your losses, such as medical expenses, the pain and suffering you’ve experienced, and any lost earnings.

First, we investigate your case to determine who’s responsible. This means we’ll gather evidence like photos, witness statements, and police reports to identify who caused your injuries. Once we know who’s to blame, we can file an insurance claim or take legal action to get you the compensation you deserve.

Michigan operates under a modified comparative negligence doctrine, which assigns a percentage of fault in all personal injury accidents. We can collect evidence to reduce your fault, ensuring you receive the maximum benefit from your claim.

Detroit Hospitals Where Pedestrian Injuries Can Be Treated

Several hospitals in Detroit provide trauma, emergency, and general medical services to pedestrians injured in accidents. Whether an injury appears mild or life-threatening, someone hurt in a pedestrian accident should always get checked out by medical professionals to determine the extent of their injuries, which can sometimes manifest days or weeks after an accident. Some Detroit hospitals where pedestrians can be treated include:

Protecting Your Rights as a Pedestrian

In Michigan, there’s a set deadline to submit a compensation claim. Obtaining legal support from Fieger Law as soon as possible can protect your chances of getting compensation through the following legal actions:

  • No-Fault Benefits Claim: This claim allows you to get benefits from your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance regardless of who caused the accident. It can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs, like attendant care. In Michigan, you generally have one year from the accident date to file a no-fault claim.
  • Liability Insurance Claim: If another person caused your injury, we can help you file a claim against their insurance. This seeks compensation beyond what no-fault insurance covers, like pain and suffering.

Michigan law gives you a three-year window from the accident date to sue for your injuries. We can help you pursue this option if the insurance company refuses to settle. This allows us to seek damages not covered by PIP, such as severe pain and suffering.

Requesting a Police Report After Being Injured in a Pedestrian Accident

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident involving a motor vehicle and want to request an accident report from the Detroit Police Department, there are three ways you can do it:

  1. In Person

Location: Detroit Police Department – 3rd Precinct
Address: 2875 W. Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 596-1909
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

  1. Online

Website: LexisNexis

  • Search, pay for, and print your crash report online
  • Cost: $10.00 (credit card required)
  • You’ll need: date of crash, driver’s license number, and possibly the incident number
  • Reports are downloaded directly (not emailed or mailed)
  1. By Mail

Send a written request to: Detroit Police Records Section, 2875 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202. Include report number (if available), or month, year, and type of report (crash/accident report).

Recovering Damages in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Your attorney from Fieger Law can calculate your full compensation, including hard-to-quantify damages such as pain and suffering. We review medical records, engage with experts, and interview witnesses to fully evaluate your damages and pursue compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Impact on your future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Our firm has a strong track record of winning settlements for pedestrian accident victims. For example, in 2017, Attorneys Geoffrey Fieger and James Harrington IV secured a $1,350,000 settlement for the estate of Mildred Griffith, who tragically lost her life in 2015 after being struck by an Alma Dial-A-Ride bus. This case, which highlighted issues of gross negligence by the bus driver and the city, was resolved when Alma Dial-A-Ride agreed to a proposed settlement.

The Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Fieger Law Will Fight for Your Rights

At Fieger Law, our legal team cares about you and your family. We treat every client with dignity, respect, and concern because we know they are going through a very difficult time.  Our pedestrian accident lawyers put their skills and experience to work for our clients and fight for the justice they deserve.

We handle the legal side of things so that injured clients can focus on their medical recovery. Our caring and compassionate Michigan pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to help—contact us today for a free consultation.

Fieger Law