not the thank-you page
October Is the Most Dangerous Month for Pedestrian Accidents - Detroit Injury Lawyer
Michigan Lawyer Blog

October Is the Most Dangerous Month for Pedestrian Accidents

 

Personal Injury Results

$15.3 MILLION | AUTO ACCIDENT (WAYNE COUNTY, MI)

$3 MILLION | PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT (INGHAM COUNTY, MI)

$2.1 MILLION | PREMISES LIABILITY (OAKLAND COUNTY, MI)

$2 MILLION | TRUCK ACCIDENT (OAKLAND COUNTY, MI)

$1.9 MILLION | AUTO ACCIDENT (WAYNE COUNTY, MI)

Across the nation, people are preparing colorful costumes and decorating their homes for the spookiest holiday of the year. Unfortunately, the scariest elements of this holiday season have nothing to do with the innocent thrills and frights of Halloween. According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, the month of October has seen the highest number of pedestrian-involved crashes for the past four consecutive years.

This monthly increase in pedestrian accidents is due to a combination of factors:

  • It’s getting darker earlier, so more pedestrians are being active during non-daylight hours

  • School is back in session, so students are walking home in the dark or playing with friends at night

  • The weather is pleasant, so people are going out with friends and family members

  • Halloween enthusiasts are hosting Halloween-related events that lead to drinking


However, this isn’t exactly new information. Each year, countless safety groups, legal professionals, and news programs release warnings about the increasing number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities associated with this month. These warnings frequently remind the public that over 50% of these accidents occur at night, so pedestrians and bicyclists need to be particularly careful when traveling in non-daylight hours.

Avoiding Injuries in October


To ensure mutual safety, both motorists and pedestrians need to be completely focused on their surroundings when traveling. This means forgoing distracting electronics and obeying traffic laws. After all, it just takes one moment of distraction to change countless lives forever.

It’s also important to avoid drinking if you plan to walk or drive. Alcohol doesn’t just severely impair the judgement and coordination skills of drivers. Nearly 80% of the pedestrian fatalities in 2017 occurred because intoxicated pedestrians ignored traffic signals or stumbled into streets.

If you’re planning to drink, it’s important to stay safe by considering these alternatives:

  • Hire a ridesharing service

  • Party with a designated driver

  • Spend the night at a hotel or a friend’s place

  • Call someone to pick you up

  • Utilize public transportation


Michigan Traffic Laws


While Michigan doesn’t have a universal crosswalk law, countless cities have adopted the Michigan Uniform Traffic Code, which states that a “…driver shall not enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he or she is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic-control signal indication to proceed.” Specific cities, such as Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Traverse City have additional ordinances that require vehicles to always yield to pedestrians at intersections even if crosswalks aren’t marked.

Injured in an Accident? Schedule a Consultation


Michigan is a no-fault state, which means that pedestrians can collect insurance benefits for their medical expenses, lost wages, professional care services, and more. However, per the statute of limitations, an injured pedestrian only has 3 years to take legal action against an at-fault party. If you’re injured by a negligent driver, immediately contact the Detroit pedestrian accident attorneys at Goodman Acker P.C. We have over 75 years of collective experience and can help you navigate this complicated legal process. Our legal team can investigate your case, compile any applicable evidence, and represent your case on a contingency fee basis. You don’t have to pay any attorney fees unless we can recover damages on your behalf.

We have a 99% success rate. Contact Goodman Acker P.C. at (248) 286-8100 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. We provide legal services 24/7!

Archives