Are Car Crashes Common In Detroit, MI?
Urban areas are renowned for car crashes because traffic congestion and unsafe driving practices make a bad combination. Most large cities have problematic streets and intersections where most accidents occur. Detroit, MI, located in Wayne County, has high rates of accidents within the city. In fact, 7 out of 10 deadliest stretches of Michigan roadways are located in the metro area of Detroit. While roadway upkeep issues or seasonal weather conditions play a part in some accidents, most happen due to driver negligence.
A number of deadly or injurious crashes occur inside a city’s limits or on its boundaries. Local drivers often grow lax about traffic safety or violate laws hurting others. If you are harmed by the actions or decisions of another driver, talking with an attorney is a good decision. You will likely need compensation to cover your losses. Expenses and worries can add up quickly, so Mike Morse Law Firm is available 24/7 to arrange a case review to answer your questions.
Why Does Detroit Have So Many Car Accidents?
Detroit is similar to most large cities, with overly crowded streets and many frustrated drivers. Tensions run high when motorists can’t get where they want to go fast enough. Most accidents within the city are caused by careless, reckless, or aggressive driving.
Detroit also has a high incidence of people driving while intoxicated or under the influence of substances. Poor decision-making behind the wheel makes car accidents common in the city.
Which Roadways Are Problematic?
Accidents happen anywhere there are roads and drivers in Detroit, but some areas are particularly problematic.
Gratiot Avenue
The part of Gratiot Avenue located between 7 Mile and East Grand Boulevard is the deadliest stretch of road in Michigan. It extends five miles with lots of intersections throughout. It is a busy area with many businesses lined along the avenue.
East Davison Street
This stretch of street between Conant and I-96 experiences significant yearly fatalities due to speeding and aggressive driving. Its position near I-96 contributes to its dangerous history, with drivers being notoriously reckless while moving about this area.
Interstate 75
I-75, as it runs between the I-94 and I-96 interchange, is a car accident hotspot. The road runs from Southwest Detroit, passing alongside Poletown East. The area closest to I-94 sees the most accidents. The most dangerous road to travel in all of Wayne County is I-94.
7 Mile
The section of 7 Mile between John C. Lodge Freeway (M-10) and Telegraph Rd. is hazardous driving. While only four miles in length, many people are injured or killed each year traveling in this area.
What Causes Most Detroit Car Accidents?
Driver actions or inactions are the primary cause of Detroit auto crashes. These are the common reasons accidents occur due to driving violations:
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Fatigued driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Aggressive driving
- Driving distracted
Texting while driving is prohibited by Michigan law, but it is still a prevalent reason for distracted driving incidents.
Other Common Accident Causes
Not all accidents are due to driver errors. These are other reasons serious accidents occur in Detroit:
- Severe weather
- Stalled vehicles
- Deer collisions
- Vehicle malfunctions
- Improperly maintained roads
You can seek damages in single-car accidents from entities responsible for your injury.
Why Do You Need a Michigan Accident Lawyer?
A personal injury claim is quite difficult to navigate on your own. These are fundamental reasons to work with a lawyer after an accident.
Case Evaluation
An attorney looks at the evidence and circumstances of your accident to see if you have a cause for pursuing damages. This can confuse accident victims because of Michigan’s no-fault insurance law. While your personal injury protection covers considerable economic losses, there are non-economic losses from serious accident injuries that often exceed the limits of your car insurance policy.
A lawyer carefully looks at the details regarding your claim and quickly determines where your case stands. If your claim has merit under the law, proceeding with a personal injury lawsuit is likely the best way to recover damages for extensive current and future losses.
Case Determination
An attorney establishes that your case has the necessary elements for a personal injury claim. These are the four determinants:
- Duty of care: You must show the defendant owed you a duty of care to act in a way that would be reasonably expected of others in the same situation. In a car accident, you expect a driver to follow traffic safety laws in the same manner required of all drivers.
- Breach of duty: You must show a driver failed to exercise reasonable care. Texting while driving would not be exercising reasonable care.
- Causation: You must show that a lack of reasonable care was the direct or indirect cause of your injury.
- Damages: You must show you sustained actual damages. The entire reason for a personal injury claim is to recover for evident damages.
These grounds give your case legal standing in the eyes of the law. Your attorney builds your case on this framework showing how a defendant is liable because they breached a duty owed to you. The damages you seek cover your losses associated with this breach of responsibility. If you are negligent in some way, this is contributory negligence. This may affect the amount of damages you can recover.
Case Creation
Developing a personal injury case requires meticulous investigation and organization. It is not enough to just put the facts together. A legal request must be presented in a compelling way to the individuals deciding your case. An experienced attorney knows how to tell your story in a way that makes a jury listen and understand how the accident experience and subsequent losses have affected your quality of life.
Case Negotiation
Most personal injury cases are settled before going to court. Successful negotiations are the reason why few cases require a trial. Negotiating a settlement can be swift or drawn out. While much depends on insurance companies and legal teams for defendants, a skilled attorney has the legal knowledge and practice to push matters forward and circumvent lengthy stalls.
Case Litigation
Despite attempts at settlement negotiations, some cases go to court. While this can lengthen the time to reach a resolution, it can be advantageous to present to a jury. One thing is certain when a personal injury case goes to trial, you need a law firm representing you that has years of experience inside courtrooms. A litigator’s skills have a critical influence on successful proceedings.
Our Team Is Here To Help
At Mike Morse Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping our clients get the representation they deserve. Our years of service and proven record have established us as Michigan’s largest personal injury law firm. Serious accident injuries change your life. If you have a family, your disability or chronic pain and suffering can change their lives. Don’t take this on alone. The risks are too great, and you deserve caring support.
Make the call to 855-MIKE-WINS. We have someone standing by to talk with you and give you instant feedback about your case. If you hire us, you don’t pay fees until we win for you. There is no obligation to talk with us.