- November 18, 2015
- Car Accidents
- Personal Injury
On November 16, 2015, a client of Goodman Acker P.C. was driving westbound on Fenkell at Hubbell Road in Detroit, Michigan when he was struck by a vehicle that ran the red light at the intersection. As a result of the collision, our client then crashed into a light pole near the intersection. The Detroit Police Department took an accident report.Our client was transported via EMS to DMC Sinai Grace. His injuries include a closed head injury with bleeding inside the skull and a neck injury. He is also suffering from pain along his right side and left shoulder. Our client’s injuries will require treatment for his recovery.
Our Michigan car accident lawyers have filed a first and third party lawsuit on behalf of our client. The lawsuit will be filed in Wayne County Circuit Court since the accident took place in the City of Detroit. The first party lawsuit is being filed against our client’s own insurance company for her no-fault benefits. The no-fault benefits we are seeking to obtain include wage loss benefits, medical expenses, and attendant care benefits. The third party lawsuit is being filed against the at fault driver, the driver who ran the red light, for our client’s pain and suffering damages also known as non-economic damages.
Running red lights is not an uncommon scenario on our Michigan roads and highways. Drivers are often in a hurry or constantly speed through yellow lights that ultimately turn to red once they are in the intersection. What those drivers do not realize is that when they run a red light they are not only putting themselves at danger but everyone else on the road in the same intersection. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute Highway Safety, in 2011 about half of the people killed in red light running deaths were individuals other than the driver who ran the red light.
These types of collisions often do not result in minor injuries, but serious or life-threating injuries. Statistics also prove the serious dangers of red light running. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSCA) and the Office of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on average, two people died each day in red-light running car accidents in 2011 in the United States. Other statistics from the NCSCA and the NHTSA from 2001-2011 an average of:
- 751 people died each year in red-light running car accidents
- 63 people were killed each month in red-light running collision
- In 2011, 118,000 people suffered injuries in a red-light running crashes
Statistics also show that these types of crashes have decreased over the years; however the numbers are still alarming.
So how can you protect yourself as a driver approaching an intersection? Remember to always watch for cross traffic, do not try to make the yellow light, and even if you have the right of way be aware of traffic from the opposite direction turning across your lane.
Unfortunately, even with these precautions accidents will happen. If you or a loved one is injured as a result of another driver running a red light in the City of Detroit or throughout the State of Michigan, make sure to contact our car accident lawyers today at (248) 286-8100 to understand your rights. You may be entitled to benefits you are not aware of and that your insurance company will not tell you, as well as damages for your pain and suffering. We offer a free, no obligation case review and will be able to answer any questions that you may have.