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Healing after a pedestrian accident can be a long road that may wreak havoc on your physical, financial, and emotional well-being. Drivers have a duty to watch out for pedestrians. They must follow traffic rules and take every reasonable measure to protect walkers from harm. When that doesn’t happen and you or your loved one suffer injuries, you can—and should—hold the motorist accountable for their negligence.
Fortunately, Michigan law allows people to seek compensation for damages caused by someone else’s wrongful or reckless actions. So, put a Grand Rapids pedestrian accident lawyer at Christensen Law to work for you. We will use our legal muscle to push for maximum compensation in your case. Our skilled and compassionate personal injury attorneys can handle every detail of your insurance claims or lawsuits so you can focus on recovering and getting your life back on track.
Our Attorneys Will Fight for the Pedestrian Accident Awards You Need and Deserve
Did you sustain injuries through no fault of your own in a pedestrian accident? If so, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden of your medical treatment and other related losses. Instead, the person who hurt you or your loved one should pay—and at Christensen Law, we make it our mission to ensure they do.
We know how critical winning damages is to regain your health and protect your financial future. Our experienced attorneys will work tirelessly to ensure you do not suffer further harm due to economic hardship caused by the other party’s mistakes.
We will exhaust every avenue available for securing awards through a liability insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the motorist who hit you. Possible pedestrian accident compensation includes:
- Medical expenses, including your current bills and a fair and adequate sum to pay for necessary future treatment and life care costs.
- Lost income, including back pay, benefits, and other earnings.
- Lost future income and earning potential if your injuries require reducing your hours, changing careers, or quitting the workforce.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Disabling injuries, loss of mobility, and paralysis.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Loss of cognitive abilities.
- Mental and emotional distress.
- Reduced quality of life.
- Wrongful death awards on behalf of a fatally injured loved one, including medical bills, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of the deceased’s financial and emotional support.
Can Pedestrians Get No-Fault Compensation?
Yes. When a motor vehicle hits a pedestrian, the victim can get No-Fault insurance benefits in Michigan. These benefits can come from your auto insurance company or a family member’s insurer. Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage generally pays for medical treatment, lost wages for up to three years, and replacement services.
If PIP insurance is unavailable, you can apply for benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP). The MACP will review your claim and, if approved, pass it to a PIP insurer that participates in the program.
Our Grand Rapids pedestrian accident lawyers can help you seek a fair liability, No-Fault, or MACP settlement. We will negotiate on your behalf, stand up for your rights, and fight to get your claim paid in full. If necessary, we will take legal action against the insurance companies to secure the compensation you deserve.
We Know What it Takes to Get Our Clients the Help They Need
When your physical well-being and financial stability are on the line, you need a firm willing to do everything necessary to protect you. Christensen Law is that firm. During our 30-plus years in practice, we have earned a reputation as powerful legal advocates and relentless justice seekers. We leave no stone unturned and spare no resources when fighting for our clients.
We have won thousands of cases and hundreds of trials, securing millions for injured Michigan residents. We prepare every case for civil court and will not back down from taking legal action when necessary. We always put getting justice and safeguarding our clients’ economic futures over quick and easy case resolutions. Our successful settlements and verdicts include the following:
- $1.2 million for a pedestrian accident
- $17.8 million for a truck accident
- $2 million for a car wreck
- $1.25 million for a motorcycle accident
Committed to Protecting Our Clients’ Interests
While we are proud of our case results, we are genuinely passionate about our commitment to serving our clients. We honor the trust our clients put in us by treating them with respect, dignity, and professionalism. We listen to you and your needs so that we can provide you with personalized representation.
You are never just a case number to our firm. We strive to make you feel heard and supported as we guide you through your case and work to make the process as easy as possible for you and your loved ones. Our team can assist with your claims or lawsuits by:
- Preparing and filing paperwork.
- Tracking and adhering to deadlines.
- Collecting physical evidence, interviewing eyewitnesses, and consulting with experts.
- Handling communications with insurance adjusters and opposing parties.
- Aggressively negotiating on your behalf.
- Representing you at trial if necessary.
Contact Us Before Time Runs Out
According to Michigan Compiled Laws § 500.3145, you have one year to file a lawsuit to recover No-Fault insurance benefits. In addition, Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805 allows up to three years to sue for personal injury or wrongful death.
If you do not pursue your case within the statutes of limitations, the court will likely bar your suit. In addition, letting the deadline expire will hurt your bargaining power when it comes to insurance claims. For these reasons, getting started on your claim right away is a good idea.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Grand Rapids, MI
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that most traffic accidents result from driver error. So, if a motorist caused your injuries, we would build a compelling case proving they owe you damages. Some common driving mistakes that can lead to pedestrian accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving: Making a phone call, texting, adjusting the stereo, eating, drinking, and daydreaming can all lead to a collision, even if the driver is only distracted for a few seconds.
- Left-hand turns: Intersections are one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians. Accidents often happen when drivers turn left because they lose focus of pedestrians while trying to pay attention to oncoming cars.
- Crosswalks: Michigan drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Crashes can happen when drivers disobey traffic laws or pedestrians suddenly enter traffic.
- Negligent driving: Drivers who speed, run red lights or stop signs, fail to use turn signals, and make aggressive lane changes run the risk of hitting pedestrians in their path. This is because these behaviors limit the time and space a driver has to try to avoid an accident. It also increases the likelihood of a driver losing control of their vehicle and striking a pedestrian.
- Drunk driving: Intoxicated drivers have slower reflexes, reduced mental function, and impaired judgment. This increases the chances of them making maneuvers that harm pedestrians, such as drifting out of lanes onto curbs or failing to see someone in a crosswalk.
- Drugged driving: Like alcohol, drug use can slow mental processes and reflexes. Some substances can also make users behave aggressively and unpredictably.
- Bad weather: Rain, snow, and sleet make it harder for vehicles to stop or stay in control on slippery surfaces. Fog can reduce visibility on roadways, making it harder for drivers to see and avoid someone on foot. Lack of lighting and bad road design are other environmental factors that can contribute to pedestrian accidents.
Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your accident and hold all liable parties financially responsible.
Drivers Owe Pedestrians a Duty of Care
Specific rules in Michigan’s vehicle codes (Michigan Compiled Laws Chapter 257) govern drivers’ behavior around pedestrians, intersections, and other potentially dangerous areas. These laws include:
- Traffic signals: Drivers must watch for and follow traffic control signals like stop signs, traffic lights, and crosswalk signs.
- School zones: Because school zones are especially busy with pedestrian traffic, drivers must follow all traffic signs and signals, as well as instructions from crossing guards.
- Road workers and emergency personnel: Construction workers, first responders, solid waste and utility workers, and others who work in close proximity to traveling vehicles have special protection under Michigan traffic regulations. Drivers should exercise particular care when these workers are nearby, either by slowing down or moving to another lane.
What Happens if You Bear Some Blame for Your Pedestrian Accident?
Contrary to popular belief, pedestrians do not always have the right of way. Michigan driving laws clarify that motorists and pedestrians have a legal duty to look out for one another.
Distracted driving is a major cause of pedestrian accidents. However, distracted walking is also a problem. Pedestrians may carelessly step into the path of an oncoming car if they are talking on the phone, with friends, or listening to music.
Distracted walking can also happen if pedestrians are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In these cases, while the driver may still bear some responsibility for the accident, the pedestrian is also partially at fault for what happened. This can make it more challenging—but not impossible—for the pedestrian to recover compensation.
You Can Still Pursue Damages if You Share Liability
A pedestrian’s liability does not matter to obtain No-Fault compensation. However, your portion of fault can play a role in your ability to collect money in a personal injury lawsuit or liability claim.
If you are partially at fault for a pedestrian accident, Michigan’s comparative fault rule, outlined in Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.2959, will determine how much compensation you can receive. Comparative fault means that the court will reduce your award by the percentage of fault it assigns you for the accident. Insurance adjusters know the law and will also apply it to settlement offers.
Working with a pedestrian accident lawyer is wise if the insurance company or opposing counsel challenges fault. You can lose your right to all compensation if found to be 50 percent or more to blame. Because this is such a fine line, you can guarantee the other party will do its best to push the fault onto you. Our skilled lawyers can anticipate and counter them, so you are not mistreated.
What to Do If You Are the Victim of a Pedestrian Accident in Grand Rapids, MI
Pedestrian accidents can result in severe physical harm, including broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Getting prompt medical treatment is essential to protect your health. It is also the best way to protect any future legal claim you wish to file.
Follow these tips if you have been in a pedestrian accident:
- Call 911: This will summon emergency medical responders to the scene and law enforcement. It will also be the start of the accident investigation. Make sure to get a copy of the police report. If you still need to obtain this document, we can do it for you.
- Collect evidence: If physically able, take photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Make sure to include shots of details relevant to the case, such as crosswalks, traffic controls, and signs. If there are witnesses, get their contact information and a short statement from them. If your injuries prevented you from doing this at the time of your accident, we could start gathering evidence as soon as you reach out.
- Gather driver information: Get the make and model of the car that hit you, its license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and the driver’s insurance information. Again, if you could not do this at the time of your injury, we can pull this from the police report.
- See a doctor: If you did not need emergency care at the scene, now is the time to see a doctor. Many serious injuries, such as internal bleeding and concussions, have a delayed onset. That means symptoms do not emerge until days or even weeks after the accident. Getting examined right away accomplishes two goals: it ensures that you are not suffering from any hidden injuries and shows that you made every possible effort to avoid further harm. It also creates a medical record for your case.
- Contact a Grand Rapids pedestrian accident lawyer: An experienced attorney with Christensen Law can handle every aspect of your case for you. We will take over all communications with the insurance company and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. This gives you time to focus on what matters most — recovering from your injuries.
We Help With Various Personal Injury Cases
At Christensen Law, you will find a personal injury lawyer who can assist with any injury case:
- Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyer
- Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Grand Rapids Truck Accident Lawyer
- Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyer
- Grand Rapids Slip and Fall Lawyer
Need Legal Help? Contact Our Grand Rapids Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
At Christensen Law, we know you are hurting. We are here to help. Our accomplished Grand Rapids personal injury lawyers will investigate your case, estimate its worth, and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Schedule a free consultation with Christensen Law by calling us today or using our online contact form now. A team member is available 24/7 to answer your questions and tell you more about how we can represent you for nothing upfront or out of pocket. So, connect with a lawyer near you today!
