Lansing Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Lansing Pedestrian Accident Attorney

There are many popular spots in the Lansing area that see tremendous foot traffic, depending on the time of year. A walk near the Capitol Building, MSU campus, or historic REO Town can be a great way to get some exercise on a sunny day or a smart choice for exploring the city without the hassle of a car. Unfortunately, walking can also put you at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been hit by a car or truck while on foot, a Lansing pedestrian accident lawyer can help.

The Lansing pedestrian accident team at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, is standing by to provide support and help you understand your legal options in the aftermath of this traumatic and painful situation. At our firm, we understand how pedestrian accident cases can be complex because we have helped many injured Michiganders just like you. We are here when the worst happens and you need someone to turn to for powerful and cost-effective legal guidance.

Unexpected issues can arise in pedestrian accident cases from a number of angles. While similar to other personal injury cases on the surface, pedestrian crashes often intersect with medical treatments and no-fault auto insurance laws. Of course, the victim’s vulnerable state and need to focus on recovery also come into play, making the challenging prospect of a claim even more complicated. This is where Goethel Engelhardt can help.

Understanding Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Lansing, MI

Considering our society’s constant reliance on personal and commercial motor vehicles to handle the logistics of nearly every day-to-day activity, a modern city can sometimes be a dangerous place to walk. Despite many walkable areas downtown and a greater emphasis on pedestrian infrastructure in recent years, Lansing is no exception to this nationwide issue wherein motor vehicle traffic and foot traffic merge together in deadly ways.

In fact, a recent report from Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning has uncovered an unfortunate upward trend in accidents involving “vulnerable roadway users” like pedestrians and cyclists, despite the state’s numbers for total crashes and traffic accident fatalities declining over the same period. The total number of pedestrian-involved accidents in Michigan increased by 11% during this one-year period, with pedestrian fatalities subsequently increasing by 6%.

The University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute also recently released a four-year analysis of pedestrian-involved crashes. Some key takeaways from their findings include:

• Over a quarter of all pedestrians involved in collisions in Michigan either suffer “suspected serious injuries” or are killed.
• 87% of collisions involving pedestrians involve some form of injury or death, as compared to less than 20% of accidents involving only motor vehicle occupants and operators.
• Low visibility (darkness) is cited in around 43% of all pedestrian-involved crashes, but the number jumps to nearly 75% when looking only at fatal pedestrian crashes.
• Alcohol and/or drug impairment is a factor in pedestrian-involved crashes significantly more often than in motor vehicle-only crashes, but this may not mean what you would expect at first glance. In pedestrian-involved crashes where drugs or alcohol were a factor, over 70% of involved pedestrians were found to be intoxicated, compared to only around 25% of motorists involved.
• When categorized by posted speed limit, the most pedestrian-involved accidents occur in 25-mile-per-hour zones.

In Lansing, such incidents can occur in busy downtown areas, in poor lighting, in active school zones, or just about anywhere pedestrians and cars need to use the same space. Accidents at downtown intersections and crosswalks, like Grand Avenue or Kalamazoo Street, tend to be more high profile, but serious car-pedestrian incidents can just as easily occur at the end of a quiet alley or the entrance to a suburban cul-de-sac.

Whether your pedestrian accident occurred due to poor visibility, distracted driving, or simple disregard for right-of-way laws, Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, can help you use the law to your advantage. With us working on your behalf to file a pedestrian accident claim in Michigan civil court, you can fully focus on recovering from your injuries.

FAQs About Pedestrian Accident Law

What Happens if You Are Hit by a Car in Michigan?

If you are hit by a car in Michigan, you should get medical help immediately, whether you feel injured or not. You should also report the accident to the police and request a police report, which is important for an insurance claim and any legal action. You can also exchange contact and insurance information with the driver but do not discuss the accident. Anything you say in the aftermath can potentially impact your case.

How Long Does It Take To Resolve a Pedestrian Accident Case?

It can take several months to resolve a pedestrian accident, but every case is unique, and the overall timeline depends on a number of factors, with some cases taking a year or more to fully resolve. Potential variables that might impact the length of your pedestrian accident case include your attorney’s abilities, your chosen legal strategy, the complexity of your situation, the extent of your injuries, and the disposition of other involved parties like insurance carriers.

Is a Driver Considered Legally Negligent if They Hit a Pedestrian?

Under Michigan law, a driver is not automatically considered negligent if they hit a pedestrian, but this is indeed the outcome of many car-pedestrian collision investigations. Pedestrians do have the right-of-way in many scenarios, but not all. For example, a pedestrian who rushes recklessly into a busy, high-speed roadway where no crosswalk exists and subsequently causes a multi-vehicle collision could be found liable for the incident rather than any of the motorists involved.

What Is the Most Common Injury Found in Pedestrian Accidents in Michigan?

Common injuries found in pedestrian accidents in Michigan include broken bones, head trauma, and road rash. Because official data tends to categorize injuries by severity rather than specific type or body part and medical records are private, it can be difficult to determine the most common injury.

The most common outcomes for pedestrian-involved accidents, according to the U of M Transportation Research Institute, are suspected minor injury (30.3%) and possible injury (29%).

Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC – Fighting Back on Behalf of Injured Michigan Pedestrians

If you have been struck by a car or commercial vehicle in the Lansing, MI, area and are considering filing a claim, swift and cost-effective legal assistance is available. Contact Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, at your earliest convenience to set up a free one-on-one consultation so we can learn more about your injury and legal needs.