Dearborn Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Dearborn, Michigan, Personal Injury Lawyers Fight for Injured Pedestrians and Their Families

Over 100,000 residents call Dearborn home, making it the seventh-largest city in Michigan. It’s also a bustling part of metro Detroit. Thousands of vehicles pass through Dearborn each day for business and personal purposes.

Cars aren’t the only way people traverse Dearborn’s roadways. Hundreds of pedestrians walk the city streets and sidewalks each day. Unfortunately, careless or reckless drivers threaten pedestrians’ safety, increasing the risk of serious injury to those who travel on foot.

Pedestrian-auto collisions are often devastating for the pedestrian. The average passenger vehicle weighs over 2,000 pounds, grossly outmatching an unprotected human body. Even low-speed accidents can cause severe and permanent injuries to a pedestrian. Studies show that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to severe injuries in such crashes.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Dearborn pedestrian accident, talk to an experienced Dearborn pedestrian injury lawyer today. The team at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. is here to help.

Dearborn and Metro Detroit Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to the Michigan State Police, 2,224 pedestrian accidents occurred on Michigan roadways in 2023, 183 of which killed pedestrians.

Common causes of Michigan pedestrian accidents include:

• Pedestrians crossing the street at places other than an intersection. Many crashes occur when pedestrians cross the street at places other than an intersection, a practice known as “jaywalking.”
• Pedestrians in the roadway. Pedestrians have a legal right to use public roads to travel. However, drivers who aren’t alert may not see pedestrians in time to avoid a collision.
• Pedestrians in areas near the roadway. Many people believe pedestrian deaths could be avoided if pedestrians walked in places that aren’t public streets. However, many pedestrians are killed on sidewalks, on berms or parkways, and in other areas outside of the roadway.
• Drunk driving. Drunk driving is involved in a significant number of pedestrian accidents. Drivers who are intoxicated are less likely to see a pedestrian in time to avoid a collision. Drinking can increase the risk for pedestrians, too; many pedestrian crash deaths involved a pedestrian who had had at least one drink.

Michigan State Police pedestrian crash statistics reveal that Wayne County is the most dangerous place for pedestrians. In 2023, Wayne County had 686 vehicle accidents involving pedestrians, including 60 fatal crashes. These represented nearly one-third of Michigan’s 2,114 total pedestrian-vehicle accidents.

Pedestrian crash death rates are high in Wayne County for several reasons. The area’s dense population increases the opportunities for cars and people to encounter one another. Telegraph Road between Joy Road and Grand River has been named one of Michigan’s deadliest stretches of road.

According to NHTSA data, most pedestrian traffic deaths in 2023 occurred in urban settings (83%) rather than on highways or rural routes. Unsurprisingly, the rates of pedestrian crashes, deaths, and injuries are much higher in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties than in other Michigan counties.

Are Pedestrian Accidents Becoming More Deadly?

Pedestrian accident rates are increasing in Michigan. Between 2020 and 2021, pedestrian deaths rose 5 percent, from 175 pedestrian deaths in 2020 to 183 deaths in 2021. They fell slightly in 2022, when 173 pedestrians lost their lives; unfortunately, the 2023 statistics recorded 183 pedestrian deaths.

Crashes with pedestrians claim more lives now than ever. A contributing factor is an overall change in the vehicles on the road. Pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles are larger, making up a greater share of vehicles involved in pedestrian deaths.

Drivers of large vehicles often choose these vehicles because their height improves visibility, which helps the driver feel safer. Automated features like backup cameras and obstacle sensors may give them an increased sense of awareness. However, these features may not alert the driver of a pedestrian until it is too late. Drivers must use care to ensure their vehicle does not threaten pedestrians, cyclists, and other roadway users.

Types of Injuries Suffered in Pedestrian Accidents

When a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian, it often causes serious injuries. The most common pedestrian crash injuries include:

• Broken bones and tissue damage in the legs. Many pedestrian accidents cause broken bones, nerve damage, and tissue damage in the legs or feet. These injuries can be severe. In some cases, patients may require surgery or amputation.
• Head, face, and neck injuries. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, neck sprains, and other serious injuries are extremely common. These injuries can cause lifelong disabilities. Survivors may have difficulty carrying out everyday tasks, experience ongoing pain, and have severe permanent scarring. Head injuries are usually the most severe type of pedestrian accident injuries.
• Injuries to the shoulders, arms, and hands. A falling pedestrian often reaches out instinctively to stop their fall, causing fractures, abrasions, and lacerations to the upper limbs.
• Pelvic injuries. The point of impact when a car hits a pedestrian is often around the waist. These accidents are a leading cause of injuries to the pelvic bones and lower spine, especially in female victims.
• Spine injuries. Pedestrian victims may suffer serious injuries to the bones, muscles, and soft tissue around the spine. They can also suffer nerve damage, resulting in partial or complete paralysis.

Any type of injury can cause permanent damage. It’s often difficult to know how severe an injury is or whether a patient will fully recover. If you’ve been injured, seek medical help immediately. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the chances of lifelong impairment.

What Happens in a Michigan Pedestrian Accident Case?

Could you recover damages in a Michigan pedestrian accident lawsuit? If you’ve been injured, the first step is learning about some rules that may affect your case and the compensation you could recover.

Time Limits

In Michigan, an injured person has a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after a pedestrian crash. This rule, called the “statute of limitations,” generally allows people three yearsto file a case. In most cases, this period begins on the date of the injury.

However, there are certain exceptions to the three-year statute of limitations. Some exceptions extend the time you may have to file a case, while others could shorten it. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian-auto accident, talk to an attorney as soon as possible.

Damages

A pedestrian accident lawsuit is a civil claim in which the injured person seeks compensation for the harm they suffered, or “damages.” These damages fall into “economic” and “non-economic” categories.

Economic damages are financial losses. They are calculated from existing paperwork, like medical bills and receipts for costs related to the injury. Lost wages are another example of economic losses. This category also includes projected future injury-related expenses, such as additional medical procedures or a reduction in your ability to earn future income.

Non-economic damages are for less quantifiable losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In every Michigan pedestrian accident claim, an injured person suffers unique losses. While it can be helpful to talk with friends or colleagues who have had similar experiences, the outcome of their cases cannot predict yours. An experienced Dearborn pedestrian injury lawyer can help you understand how much your case may be worth.

Where To Find Help With Your Dearborn Pedestrian Accident Claim

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian crash, you may feel angry, frustrated, fearful, or hopeless. Your injuries may make it challenging to handle daily life. You may wonder how you will support your family or meet your future goals.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Talk to the experienced Dearborn pedestrian accident attorneys at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. today. We can help you understand your legal rights and secure the compensation you need after a serious accident. Contact us today for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation with one of our attorneys.