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Kalamazoo Michigan Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Representing Pedestrian Accident Victims Across West Michigan

Walking is a great alternative to driving. It’s good for your physical and mental health, and it saves money on fuel costs.

Unfortunately, it’s a pastime that also involves some risk. Drivers aren’t always watching for pedestrians. All it takes is a few seconds of distraction for a tragedy to occur. When a pedestrian is hit by a car or truck, more than 80% of the time they are killed or suffer life-altering injuries, such as:

  • Crushed or broken bones
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Organ injury
  • Internal bleeding
  • Scarring and disfigurement

If you or someone you love has been hit by a motor vehicle, call Conybeare Law Office now. ‌We‌ ‌specialize‌ ‌in‌ ‌complex‌ ‌pedestrian‌ ‌accident‌ ‌claims and will fight to ensure you get ‌compensation‌ ‌for‌ ‌your‌ ‌losses. If we don’t obtain a settlement or verdict for you, you owe us nothing for our time and effort, so schedule your free consultation with an experienced Michigan auto accident lawyer today.

What You Need To Know About Pedestrian Accidents In Michigan

Pedestrian Accidents in Michigan

According to the Michigan State Police, more than 100 pedestrians are killed by motor vehicles in Michigan every year.  ‌The majority of these deaths occur between 6:00 p.m. and midnight, and usually, happen when a driver fails to yield or the pedestrian is crossing the road somewhere other than at an intersection. In fact, pedestrians are three times more likely to be killed and 1.5 times more likely to be injured when they cross a road in the middle of a block.

Michigan pedestrian accident statistics for 2020 are as follows:

  • There were 1,784 pedestrians involved in 1,682 motor vehicle crashes. 175 were killed and 1,343 were injured.
  • For each pedestrian killed, there were about eight pedestrians injured.
  • Of all pedestrians killed, 121 were male and 54 were female.
  • Of all pedestrian actions prior to a crash, “crossing not at an intersection” was the most deadly, accounting for 57 of the 175 pedestrian fatalities.
  • The highest number of pedestrian accidents occurred during January, with 184 reported incidents.
  • 154 accidents occurred between 6:00-6:59 p.m., making it the highest-risk time for a crash.
  • Saturday was the deadliest day for pedestrians, with 28 fatal crashes and 29 accidents causing injury.
  • Of the 175 pedestrians killed, 49 of the deaths resulted from a DUI incident and 32 of those pedestrians had been drinking too.
  • A total of five pedestrian fatalities occurred among young people aged 15 and under. Those aged 16-20 accounted for six fatalities, while adults ages 21-64 accounted for 123 fatalities. There were 41 fatalities in the 65 and over age group.
  • Of the 15 pedestrians using a cell phone at the time of their accident, two were killed and three suffered a suspected serious injury.

Common Causes of Michigan Pedestrian Accidents

A variety of hazards often put pedestrians at risk of injury. Common causes of motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians include:

  • Speeding and aggressive driving
  • Running red lights
  • Disregarding traffic safety signs and signals
  • Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
  • Driving too fast in neighborhoods where children play
  • Failing to drive safely in poor weather conditions
  • Driving or walking while distracted 
  • Lack of proper signage
  • Obscure, unmarked, or hidden crosswalks
  • Poor lighting
  • Negligent left-hand turns

To keep themselves safer, especially at night, pedestrians should: 

  • Obey traffic signals and signs
  • Look from left to right and back before crossing a street, and keep looking until you reach the other side
  • Only cross a street from a corner, using crosswalks and traffic signals, whenever possible
  • Make‌ ‌eye‌ ‌contact‌ ‌with‌ ‌drivers‌ ‌before crossing the street
  • Wear reflective clothing and lights at night
  • Never let a child under 10 cross the street‌ ‌alone

If you are injured by a negligent motorist, you should not be forced to shoulder the financial burden of a long and painful recovery. Our Michigan pedestrian accident lawyers know how to collect and present the evidence needed to get compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Why Hire Conybeare Law Office for Your Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Anytime you have to deal with an insurance company regarding a personal injury claim, you need skilled legal representation. ‌In general, insurance companies want to pay you nothing, or as little as possible. And they often use delay tactics to try to get injured victims to accept a settlement offer that does not fully compensate them for their‌ ‌injuries.

The Kalamazoo pedestrian accident lawyers at Conybeare Law Office have years of experience helping clients who have been injured by negligent motorists. We have extensive experience handling pedestrian accidents, which means we know how to:

  • Thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries;
  • Examine the factors that determine liability; 
  • Get‌ ‌you‌ the‌ ‌compensation‌ ‌you‌ ‌deserve. 

This commitment to an ideal outcome has resulted in significant pedestrian settlements, and given Conybeare Law Office a reputation as one of the best personal injury law firms in Western Michigan.

FAQs

Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Pedestrian Accident?

In Michigan, pedestrians injured by motor vehicles receive no-fault insurance benefits, even if they don’t have auto insurance or own a car. To qualify for these benefits, you must be a Michigan resident or own a vehicle that is titled and insured in Michigan. If you don’t have insurance or live with a family member who does, you can get benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.

Sometimes it’s unclear exactly which insurance provider is responsible for covering your injury damages. The Michigan pedestrian accident lawyers at Conybeare Law Office will make this determination for you, help you submit the necessary claim paperwork, and help deal with the insurance adjuster on your behalf so that you can focus on recovering.

What are Average Pedestrian Accident Settlement Amounts in Michigan?

When you’re injured in a pedestrian accident, the purpose of compensation is to make you as ‘whole’ again as possible. Because the circumstances are different for every accident (and so are the injuries), there is no average settlement amount. Instead, the amount you receive is calculated to compensate you for damages such as:

– Medical expenses
– Future treatment costs
– Lost income
– Decreased earning ability
– Pain and suffering
– Emotional trauma
– Property damage

The extent of your injuries and their anticipated impact on your life also play a role in your settlement amount. For example, if you are a 30-year-old left permanently impaired by a traumatic brain injury, you would typically be entitled to a larger settlement than someone in their 60s with the same injury. Similarly, a spinal cord injury would be valued differently than a broken bone. 

Our Kalamazoo pedestrian accident lawyers will strive to get you the maximum compensation for your pedestrian accident claim. If the insurance company fails to make a reasonable offer, we will use our litigation skills to seek a favorable verdict.

Learn Why So Many Clients Trust Our Kalamazoo Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

If you have been hit and injured by a motor vehicle while out walking, you need legal advice to protect your rights and ensure you receive proper treatment and fair compensation. There are a lot of things to consider, from immediate care needs and dealing with insurance companies to future expenses such as rehabilitation, modifying your home, or compensating for lost income. ‌You‌ ‌and your family don’t need to deal with it alone: we are here to help.

At Conybeare Law Office, we understand what you’re going through. ‌With our years of experience defending the rights of victims, including those involved in pedestrian accidents, we will do whatever it takes to ensure the best outcome for you.

Our Michigan pedestrian accident lawyers serve the following areas:

To schedule your free consultation, call The Bear today at 269-769-BEAR or fill out this contact form. Remember: if it’s not fair, call the Bear!