- December 15, 2015
- Car Accidents
- Personal Injury
Car accidents occurring on expressways are unfortunately quite common in the State of Michigan. I-75, I-94, and I-696 are notorious for highway crashes. But what happens when a driver exits the expressway? Motor vehicle accidents occurring on an exit ramp off the expressway is not as common as a highway collision; however it can be just as deadly.According to Collins Dictionary, an ‘exit ramp is defined as a short roadway by which vehicles may leave a major highway.’ Because the exit ramp is a short roadway and puts your vehicle back into city driving, drivers should be aware that as they exit the ramp they should start to reduce their speed.
Drivers should also be very aware of their surroundings when exiting. Typically drivers do get the right of way to enter the roadway from the highway, and drivers already on the roadway have a stop sign to stop for oncoming traffic. In an ideal world, all drivers, those exiting the freeway and those already on the city roadway, would follow the rules of the road. Unfortunately, this does not always happen and accidents occur.
One of our most recent cases involves our client, a resident of Madison Heights, who was rear ended at the stop light on the southbound I-75 exit ramp at West Big Beaver Road in the City of Troy. The accident occurred in May of last year at approximately 6 p.m.
Our client was stopped at the red light on the exit ramp when another driver exiting the expressway failed to bring his vehicle to a stop at the red light and forcefully struck our client’s vehicle from behind. As a result of the crash, our client suffered severe, permanent and progressive bodily injuries including, but not limited to severe permanent disfigurement, annular tear and facet hypertrophy at L5-S1, shock, freight, and mental anguish, emotional distress, and other damages that are becoming known as our client is undergoing treatment.
Our car accident attorneys filed a lawsuit in Oakland County Circuit Court against the at-fault driver for her pain and suffering. The lawsuit claims that the other driver operated his vehicle contrary to the Motor Vehicle Act of the State of Michigan which includes stopping your vehicle within an assured clear distance.
Every day tens of thousands of motor vehicles enter and exit our Michigan expressways, whether it’s I-75, I-696, I-94, or other. With so many vehicles driving on these small stretches of roads, accidents are bound to happen and it’s important you understand what to do in the scenario where you or a family member is involved.
First and foremost, call 911 if you or anyone involved in the accident is hurt and needs medical attention. If you are able, it is best to move the vehicle(s) out of the roadway and onto the side of the road where it is safe. Accidents right off the expressway exit ramps can be cause for more accidents because drivers exiting off the freeway are not expecting to stop abruptly and unfortunately may not be as aware of their surroundings as they should be.
In addition, if you have a camera on your phone or a camera in your car, taking pictures of your vehicle at the scene of the incident can be helpful and a valid piece of evidence if you make a claim.
It is also in your best interest to speak to an auto accident attorney who has experience handling these types of case and will be able to navigate you through our no-fault system. Many of times victims do not receive the compensation they should have simply because they were not aware of the benefits available to them.
At the law firm of Goodman Acker, P.C., our car accident lawyers frequently represent victims injured in freeway exit ramp collision. We have over 30 years of experience helping injured clients obtain the maximum compensation for their injuries and have a thorough knowledge on Michigan no-fault law. Call our office today at (248) 286-8100. We are here to help you better understand your rights so you can obtain the justice and compensation you deserve.