Sterling Heights Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Providing the Help Our Injured Clients Need After a Pedestrian Collision

Roads throughout the country are dangerous for pedestrians. Between 2014 and 2024, the U.S. population increased by 7%. However, pedestrian deaths increased 48%, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).

In 2024, pedestrian deaths decreased or held steady in over half of the U.S. states. Unfortunately, the number of Michigan pedestrian fatalities increased by 5.4%, claiming the lives of 78 people. Pedestrian injury rates also continued to rise, both nationwide and in Michigan.

According to a Michigan News Source report, Macomb County saw some of the highest increases in pedestrian-involved crashes in recent years. Areas like Sterling Heights, designed around metro Detroit’s vehicle commuters, can be ill-equipped to protect pedestrians. Many drivers fail to use appropriate care to share the roads safely with pedestrians.

In busy Sterling Heights, pedestrians face many risks when traveling on sidewalks and roads. If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian crash, talk to the experienced attorneys at Sommers Schwartz, P.C.

Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities on Michigan Roads

Only about ten percent of Michigan commuters regularly travel on foot. However, pedestrians account for around 16% of all traffic-related deaths in Michigan yearly. Between 2017 and 2021, 143 pedestrians died, 434 suffered serious injuries, and nearly 1400 suffered mild or moderate injuries on Michigan roads.

Many factors contribute to pedestrian accidents and fatalities. These include:

• Speeding. Even low-speed collisions can cause serious injuries to pedestrians. However, collisions at higher speeds are often fatal.
• Taller vehicles. Some studies have linked the increasing numbers of pedestrian deaths and serious injuries to increased vehicle heights. Shorter vehicles are more likely to hit pedestrians in the legs, where injuries are less likely to be fatal. Taller vehicles are more likely to impact a pedestrian’s trunk, increasing the risk of catastrophic damage.
• Distracted driving. Drivers who aren’t paying attention are more likely to collide with pedestrians, especially at crosswalks and other locations where pedestrians have the right of way.

Many road design projects incorporate crosswalks, lights, and other features to make the space safer for pedestrians. However, speeding, distracted, or intoxicated drivers may disregard these safety features, making them much less effective.

An in-depth study of pedestrian crash factors found that crosswalks don’t necessarily make pedestrians safer. Between 2017 and 2021, there were 443 pedestrian-involved collisions in crosswalks and 217 at intersections without a crosswalk.

While crosswalks may not guarantee protection, crossing at places other than intersections is also dangerous. Between 2017 and 2021, 273 pedestrian accidents involved “jaywalking,” when pedestrians crossed in a location where they did not have the right of way or against a traffic signal.

Dangers of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian collisions are more likely to cause death or serious injury than collisions between motor vehicles. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of pedestrian-car collisions dropped 20%, but the number of pedestrian deaths from these crashes increased 20%.

Many passenger vehicles weigh two to three thousand pounds. When a vehicle collides with a pedestrian, it often causes severe injuries or death.

Common pedestrian accident injuries include:

• Brain and spinal cord damage. Impact to the trunk or head, or a pedestrian’s back or head hitting the ground, can result in brain and spinal cord injuries. These may be fatal or require lifelong intensive medical care.
• Broken bones. The force of a vehicle collision can easily cause one or more broken bones. Some breaks require surgery. An injured person might experience lifelong pain and mobility problems after the bone heals.
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding. “Blunt force trauma” injuries are common when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian. These injuries include internal bleeding and damage to internal organs. Such injuries can prove fatal or cause ongoing problems with fundamental body functions, like breathing, heart function, or digestion.

Other common injuries include strains, sprains, abrasions, and friction burns from the pavement. Crush injuries or amputations may occur. Many pedestrians also experience severe, pervasive psychological trauma after a life-threatening collision.

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian collision or a loved one suffered fatal injuries, talk to an experienced Sterling Heights pedestrian crash lawyer today.

Legal Options After a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accidents can traumatize many people. Whether you are the one fighting to recover from serious injuries, supporting a family member through their injuries, or grieving the sudden loss of a loved one, you may struggle to move forward. Surviving becomes a day-to-day fight, leaving you little time to think about pursuing a lawsuit.

Learning the basics of a pedestrian crash claim can help you understand your legal options. An experienced lawyer can fight for compensation and let you focus on healing.

Time Limits for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim

Michigan’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims allows three years to file a lawsuit. This three-year period usually begins on the crash date for pedestrian accident cases. However, the three-year limit may be paused or extended in some instances. In others, you may have less time to begin your claim. An attorney can help you understand what deadlines apply in your situation.

Insurance companies set different time limits on filing insurance claims. These are usually far shorter than three years. Some insurers only give you a few months to file a claim. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible if you need help navigating insurance.

Compensation in a Pedestrian Injury Case

You may be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation from the party whose negligence caused the injury. A Sterling Heights pedestrian accident claim may seek compensation for various damages.

Economic or financial damages include compensation for losses like:

• Medical bills resulting from the crash injuries.
• Future medical bills if your injuries require ongoing care.
• Lost wages.
• Future lost wages if you cannot work again due to your injuries.
• Costs to repair or replace damaged property.
• Expenses for household help, childcare, and transportation related to the accident.
• Compensation for necessary household modifications to accommodate permanent disabilities.

You may also be able to recover for other types of financial losses. A lawyer can help you understand the full value of your claim.

You may also be able to recover compensation for non-economic losses. Examples include:

• Physical pain and suffering.
• Mental and emotional anguish from permanent scarring or disfigurement (such as the loss of a limb).
• Traumatic psychological injuries like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
• Loss of enjoyment of hobbies and other life activities you can no longer participate in due to your injuries.

Each crash has a unique impact on a survivor’s life and needs. The attorneys at Sommers Schwartz, P.C., can help you determine what your claim is worth and fight for the full, fair compensation you deserve.

When a Pedestrian Collision Claims a Life

An injured pedestrian can file a personal injury claim in court. When a pedestrian dies, however, they cannot file a claim. Instead, the personal representative of the pedestrian’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death claim can seek damages related to the injury and to the death.

For example, in a wrongful death case, the estate and family can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and their loved one’s pain and suffering. This compensation is similar to what might come from a personal injury case. The estate and family can also seek compensation for losses like funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of their loved one’s care and companionship.

Speak to an Experienced Sterling Heights Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

Pedestrians face significant risks on many public roads and streets. While they have the legal right to use roads and sidewalks, they can be seriously injured by drivers who don’t exercise due care when sharing the road.

If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian crash, speak to an experienced Sterling Heights pedestrian injury lawyer today. The team at Sommers Schwartz, P.C., is here to help. Contact us to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.