- August 8, 2023
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Personal Injury
Pedestrian car accidents are pretty common and often have devastating effects. A pedestrian accident occurs when a vehicle hits a pedestrian when walking, running, crossing the road, or getting around in a wheelchair. This collision type can result in severe or catastrophic injuries that have long-lasting impacts.Although you can receive compensation from the at-fault party, it is also crucial to know the causes of pedestrian car accidents. This information can help you keep from getting into one as either a pedestrian or a driver.
However, if you or your loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, our pedestrian accident lawyers at Goodman Acker, P.C., can help you recover financial compensation. Our initial consultations are free, so call us at 248-286-8100 to schedule one.
Why contact the pedestrian accident Attorneys at Goodman Acker, P.C.?
Our pedestrian accident lawyers at Goodman Acker, P.C., have dedicated their careers to helping injured victims. We have decades of experience doing this; in that time, we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation and verdicts for our clients. Our team dedicates time and resources to every case we handle and works hard to get favorable outcomes.
Call out: Every client we represent is important to us, and we take a personalized approach while handling their case.
Also, we understand the devastating impacts accidents have on victims, so while you focus on your recovery, we will handle every aspect of the claim, from filing to settlement negotiations. Our goal is to help you return to the life you had before the accident, and we do this while providing exemplary service. Contact us at 248-286-8100 to learn more about how we can help you.
Six common causes of pedestrian car accidents
Michigan recorded a 17% increase in pedestrian-involved fatalities between 2020 and 2022 from crashes. These accidents occurred because of the following reasons:
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of pedestrian car accidents. People are distracted when their cognitive, visual, and manual faculties are impaired. For example, a driver checking the GPS on their phone might be unable to see a stop sign at a crosswalk for pedestrians to pass, causing an accident.
Also, pedestrians focused on their phones might cross the street without being aware of approaching vehicles. Therefore, both pedestrians and drivers must avoid distractions on the road to avoid accidents.
Impaired drivers
Drivers are impaired when they drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Impaired driving is dangerous as it affects a person’s cognitive abilities, impacting their reasoning and reaction time. Impaired drivers go through crosswalks and traffic lights without caution or cognizance of the consequences of their actions, increasing their chances of hitting pedestrians.
Also, drunk pedestrians may jaywalk and get in front of a vehicle, especially at night when there is poor visibility. In either case, all road users should avoid driving or taking intoxicating drugs before getting on the road.
Impatient drivers
In Michigan, pedestrians always have the right of way, and drivers are to yield the right of way to them. This means that even if the pedestrian is crossing without adequately looking at the road, the pedestrian still has the right of way. However, most drivers are impatient, failing to look out for pedestrians or wait for them to cross the street using crosswalks before driving through, causing accidents.
Call out: Don’t sleep on your rights after a pedestrian accident; let us help you protect your interests.
Reckless drivers
A driver operates their vehicle recklessly when they do so carelessly and heedlessly, in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, and without due caution and at speed or in a manner to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. A reckless driver does not obey traffic laws at crosswalks, making them dangerous to pedestrians.
Bad weather
Poor weather conditions make it hard for drivers to stop in time to avoid seeing pedestrians or hitting them. Also, wet roads can cause a car to hydroplane into a crosswalk or jump a curb, leading to an accident. Therefore, when walking or driving in bad weather, be extra vigilant.
Speeding
Speeding drivers have slower reaction times, making it nearly impossible to stop in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian. The speed limit in Michigan for residential areas with high foot traffic is 25 miles per hour. For locations with active school zones, the speed limit may be decreased by at most 20 miles per hour less than the speed limit customarily posted but shall be at least 25 miles per hour.
Other known causes of pedestrian car accidents in Michigan are wearing dark clothes at night, road construction, vehicles making left turns, and multi-lane roadways. Ensure you speak with an attorney immediately after a pedestrian accident to determine whether you have a valid compensation claim.
Who pays compensation after a pedestrian car accident in Michigan?
Michigan is a no-fault state, meaning that parties to a car accident rely on their no-fault insurance policy to cover their medical bills, a percentage of their lost wages, and replacement services. As an injured pedestrian, your first option is to receive personal injury protection (PIP) benefits from your insurance policy, that of your spouse, or a resident relative. However, if you sustained severe injuries, a disability, or disfigurement, you can file a compensation claim for economic and non-economic damages.
Were you a pedestrian injured in a car accident? We can help!
If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a pedestrian accident, our attorneys at Goodman Acker, P.C., will help you examine the facts and seek fair compensation from the at-fault party. We work on a contingency fee basis and do not demand upfront fees. Call us at 248-286-8100 to book a free case review.