Pedestrian accidents are some of the most devastating because the impact of a moving vehicle can cause catastrophic and deadly bodily injuries. Victims and their families could face significant medical expenses, financial losses, and physical and mental suffering because of the harm they endure.
If a car struck you or your loved one, its driver may be liable for economic and non-economic damages. A Livonia personal injury lawyer with Christensen Law will take on the insurance companies and fight for financial compensation. We will protect your rights and secure your future by getting the money you need and deserve. Fill out an online request form for a free and confidential consultation.
You Have Options for Securing Pedestrian Accident Damages
Michigan’s No-Fault insurance model offers several avenues for securing damages after a pedestrian accident. Our law firm will review your case, discuss your legal options, and help you pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. We can assist with the following:
- Personal injury protection (PIP) claims. The state requires that most motorists carry PIP insurance. This coverage pays for car accident damages, no matter who is at fault for the crash. PIP follows you when on foot, so it applies to pedestrian accidents. We will help you pursue a settlement up to your policy limit.
- Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP) benefits. If you do not have No-Fault insurance, we will seek full and fair PIP benefits through the MACP. This program matches uninsured parties with providers contracted by the state.
- A liability auto insurance claim or lawsuit. When you have severe injuries and expenses that exhaust your PIP, you can seek compensation from the at-fault driver with a liability insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. We will establish your right to step outside the No-Fault system and pursue your awards, including non-economic damages unrecoverable through PIP.
Our Livonia Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Will Fight for Your Full Recovery
We prioritize getting justice above obtaining speedy resolutions. Unlike some firms that want to rush cases out the door, we take the time to truly listen to our clients. We know it is important for you to tell your story, and the better we understand you and your needs, the better equipped we are to serve you.
Our legal team’s dedication and tenacity have achieved record-setting case results. Our goal is to get you the most money possible for your injury while also offering you practical and personalized support every step of the way. While you focus on your health and recovery, our Livonia pedestrian accident lawyers will work tirelessly to recover your damages.
Recoverable PIP Compensation
PIP insurance benefits pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses after a motor vehicle accident. Coverage usually includes:
- Emergency treatment
- Hospital and doctor’s fees
- Medical procedures
- Prescription drugs
- Medical devices and equipment
- Physical therapy
- Nursing
Michigan’s insurance laws underwent significant changes in July 2020. According to the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), consumers can now choose their PIP medical benefits limits. You can select a policy with unlimited coverage, $500,000 in coverage, or $250,000 in coverage. How much our attorneys can pursue depends on your policy’s limits, but we will make sure your insurer pays what it owes.
In addition to medical costs, No-Fault insurance pays for replacement services and lost wages for up to three years. For claims involving fatalities, PIP provides death benefits for medical bills, the deceased’s lost income, and funeral and burial expenses.
Recoverable Personal Injury Awards
A personal injury claim or lawsuit will allow us to pursue losses not covered by PIP, including the following:
- Medical bills that exceed your PIP
- Lost wages extending beyond three years
- Loss of your future earning potential
- Chronic pain
- Disabling injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Impaired quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment
If your loved one died from a pedestrian accident injury, our wrongful death lawyers will seek the above damages on behalf of their estate and its beneficiaries. Qualifying family members can also pursue non-economic compensation for the loss of the deceased’s services, care, and companionship.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys serving Livonia, MI, will advocate for you and your family. Call Christensen Law for a free and confidential consultation.
Pedestrian Accident Causes
Driver error is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. If one of the following careless, reckless, or wrongful actions caused your injuries, we will prove it:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Speeding or traveling too fast for current conditions
- Failure to yield to pedestrians when they have the right of way
- Failure to stop at a crosswalk, stop sign, or red light
- Driving off the road or in restricted areas
- Driving without headlights at night or during bad weather
- Aggressive driving or “road rage”
There could be liable parties in addition to negligent drivers. Depending on the circumstances of your case, others at fault may include a property owner, a commercial vehicle driver, a driver’s employer, a property owner, or a government entity. If applicable, we can pursue multiple claims.
We Will Prove Who Is Liable for Your Injury
Our law firm has represented car accident victims in the Detroit metropolitan area and across Michigan since 1991. We know what it takes to build a robust personal injury case. Our accident attorneys prepare every claim as though headed to trial, so we will not back down from taking action in civil court when necessary.
Our team will do the following to establish liability and recover advantageous financial awards:
- Visit the accident scene in Livonia and collect physical evidence, including photographs and crash debris
- Track down cell phone, surveillance, or dashcam video of the collision
- Locate and interview eyewitness
- Obtain police reports and medical records
- Hire and consult with accident reconstructionists and other case experts when needed
- Prepare and file your insurance claims and legal paperwork
- Identify and calculate your losses
- Negotiate for favorable compensation on your behalf
- Protect you from bad-faith insurance tactics or pressure to settle for less than you deserve
- File a lawsuit and represent you at trial
Wayne County Is Among the Most Dangerous for Pedestrians
According to the Michigan State Police, Wayne County has one of the highest pedestrian accident rates in the state. From 2017 to 2021, the area had 818 pedestrian crashes involving a serious injury or fatality. Furthermore, the Detroit Free Press reports that two of Michigan’s most dangerous intersections for pedestrians are in Livonia at:
- Middlebelt Road at Schoolcraft Road
- Six Mile Road at I-96/I-275
If a car hit you, you may be struggling with severe injuries and financial hardships. Let us put our skills and resources behind getting you back on your feet. Our experienced lawyers and compassionate staff understand what you face and will address your legal issues head-on. We can help with claims involving the following:
- Brain injuries
- Head, neck, and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Loss of a limb
- Loss of a bodily function
- Spinal injuries
- Loss of mobility or paralysis
- Organ damage
What Should You Do After an Accident in Livonia, MI?
The first thing you should do after a pedestrian accident is seek medical treatment, especially if you did not receive emergency care at the crash scene. Follow all of your doctor’s treatment advice and attend all future appointments.
Next, you should ensure that police have a record of your accident. If law enforcement was at the scene, the responding officer conducted an investigation. If not, you should contact the Livonia police department and make a report. This document will be essential evidence for your case.
Finally, file your car accident insurance claims as soon as possible. If an insurance agent contacts you:
- Do not accept their initial settlement offer
- Do not accept blame for your injuries or speculate on their cause
- Do not agree to give a recorded statement.
Instead, refer the insurance company to our law firm. We can represent you in talks with the insurer to ensure you don’t say anything that could jeopardize your claim.
Michigan’s Pedestrian Accident Statute of Limitations
If we have to take your PIP claim to court, you have one year from the accident date to file a lawsuit, according to Michigan Compiled Laws § 500.3145. For personal injury and wrongful death cases, the statute of limitations is three years under Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.5805. If time expires, the court will likely refuse your suit. It will also reduce your insurance bargaining power.
Call Christensen Law for Pedestrian Accident Legal Help
Call or complete an online request form for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Livonia pedestrian accident attorney with Christensen Law. Our team members are available 24/7 to answer your questions and start you down the road to financial recovery.
We never want the cost of legal representation to be an obstacle, so we take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. We only get paid if and when we obtain compensation for you. Let us put our 30-plus years of experience to work seeking justice for you and your family. Connect with a lawyer near you today.
