Wayne County Pedestrian Car Accident Lawyer

It is common knowledge that cars are supposed to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. However, according to the Michigan Traffic Crash Reporting System, more than 2,224 pedestrians were involved in Michigan traffic crashes in 2023. Tragically, 183 pedestrians died. These numbers are even higher than those from 2022, when 2,026 pedestrians were involved in traffic crashes and 173 died.

Adults aged 21-64 accounted for the largest percentage of pedestrian fatalities. This group recorded 127 deaths, accounting for 69.4%. The next most vulnerable population was pedestrians who are 65 and older, a group that accounted for 42 fatalities (23%).

Wayne County has a disproportionately high number of pedestrian accidents. In 2023, it reported 686 vehicle accidents involving pedestrians, including 60 fatal crashes. Wayne County pedestrian accidents accounted for nearly one-third of Michigan’s 2,114 total pedestrian-vehicle accidents.

At the personal injury law firm of Sommers Schwartz, P.C., our dedicated team of Wayne County pedestrian accident lawyers has over 45 years of experience helping accident victims recover compensation. We approach every case we handle aggressively and vigorously represent you through every stage of the process.

Causes of Wayne County Pedestrian Accidents

Drunk and drugged driving is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents in Wayne County and across Michigan. Alcohol was the leading cause of Michigan pedestrian deaths. Of the 183 pedestrians killed, 40 (21.9%) of the deaths resulted from an alcohol-involved crash, and 24 (60.0%) of those pedestrians had been drinking. Of the state’s 1,021 total fatal crashes, 272 (26.6%) involved at least one drinking vehicle operator, bicyclist, or pedestrian.

Distracted driving is another common cause of pedestrian accidents. When drivers aren’t paying attention to the road, they can easily overlook someone crossing the street, waiting for a bus, or getting into their car.

Many pedestrian accidents result from their own negligence or dangerous behavior. Of all pedestrian actions before a crash, “crossing not at an intersection” was the most deadly, accounting for 44 (24.0%) of Michigan pedestrian fatalities in 2023.

Where Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur?

Not surprisingly, pedestrian accidents often occur on state routes and city roads, which have the highest number of pedestrians and traffic congestion. According to NHTSA data, in 2023, most pedestrian traffic deaths occurred in urban settings (83%) rather than on highways or rural routes. Wayne County has the highest population density of all Michigan counties and, as a result, has the highest pedestrian accident rate.

Notably, this data does not consider parking lot accidents because parking lots are usually privately owned. However, many pedestrian accidents occur in parking lots and garages. According to the NHTSA, most pedestrian accidents happen in dark conditions, with or without artificial lighting (74%).

Pursuing a Lawsuit for a Wayne County Pedestrian Accident

If you are seriously injured in a pedestrian accident in Wayne County, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit against the driver who hit you. You must prove the driver violated their duty of care, leading to your injuries. All drivers owe pedestrians a duty of care. In most cases, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians.

Insurance companies often claim that a pedestrian shares responsibility for an accident. However, sharing responsibility for an accident will not prohibit you from obtaining compensation unless a judge or jury finds you more than 50% responsible. Under Michigan’s modified comparative negligence law, pedestrians who are partially at fault for a collision will have their damages award reduced by their percentage of fault.

For example, assume a driver hit you while you were crossing the street outside a crosswalk. The driver was not hurt, but you suffered damages of $100,000.

• If the jury determines the driver was 90% responsible for the accident and you were 10% responsible, you would receive $90,000.
• However, if the jury finds you were 55 percent responsible and the driver 45 percent responsible, you will not recover anything for your injuries.

Having the assistance of an experienced Wayne County personal injury attorney can be vital to recovering what you deserve. An attorney will advocate for you and present your case in the best possible light. An experienced lawyer can often negotiate a higher settlement offer with the insurance company to avoid going to trial.

Contact the Detroit Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Sommers Schwartz Today

If you were injured in a pedestrian-vehicle collision, the dedicated Detroit personal injury lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. can help you learn more about your options. We take the time to get to know you and understand how an accident impacted your life. Besides being the right thing to do, it sets us up to advocate more effectively on your behalf.

Our attorneys have recovered many six- and seven-figure awards for our clients and look forward to speaking with you to see how we can help. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation.