Most Dangerous Intersections in Detroit, MI

Out of bankruptcy and ruin, the former ‘Motor City’ of Detroit is rising from the ashes as residents clean up and revitalize their communities, new cultural centers, craft bars, green spaces, and even urban farms take the place of old, decaying neighborhoods and former industrial areas.

The Detroit metro area is also home to over 3.5 million people, approximately 75 percent of whom own and operate their own vehicles. That means busy traffic. Furthermore, Detroit is home to some of the most dangerous intersections in the state. According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 2021 saw 104,399 road accidents in the Metro region, which includes the City of Detroit as well as Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Of those, 22,669 were injury accidents—and 323 were fatal.

Most road accidents took place in October, and the majority of accidents overall involved passenger vehicles. In 2019, the Southeast Michigan Coalition of Governments (SEMCOG) published a database that includes a summary of the ten most dangerous intersections in Detroit and the metro region. All of the accidents took place within 150 feet of the intersections; although the majority of them were PDO (“Property Damage Only”), a significant number of people were injured, and some lost their lives.

A Summary of 2021 Accidents at Detroit Intersections

What follows is a list of ten Detroit-area intersections that see the highest number of collisions each year.

Number One: Ford Road at North Lilley

This intersection is surrounded by a number of shops and restaurants as well as a convenience store. d topped the list of Detroit’s worst intersections. Fortunately, nobody was killed in 2021, but out of 69 motor vehicle accidents taking place that year, over a quarter involved minor to moderate injuries. Most were classified as “PDO” (Property Damage Only).

Van Dyke Avenue and 11 Mile Road East

Finishing in second place was the junction where Van Dyke Avenue meets 11 Mile Road. Aside from being a busy commercial zone, this intersection also has connections to Interstate 696. Once again, PDO accidents were the most common; out of 80 incidents, 9 resulted in minor injuries.

S.R. 153 and Haggerty Road

53 accidents took place where Ford Road meets Haggerty, just west of the junction with Interstate 275. Of these collisions, 5 involved minor to moderate injuries.

Southfield Road 2 and 11 Mile Road West

There were 53 motor vehicle crashes at this intersection in 2021, 14 of which caused minor to moderate injuries to those involved. One accident was fatal.

Ford Road and Beech Daly

Out of 61 accidents taking place at this intersection in 2021, 13 resulted in minor to moderate injuries to 19 vehicle occupants. 48 of these incidents were property damage only.

Van Dyke Avenue and 11 Mile Road

Where Van Dyke Avenue crosses Interstate 696 sees an average of 55 accidents yearly. 2021 saw 57 accidents, injuring a total of 21 drivers and their occupants.

12 Mile Road West and Orchard Lake

This intersection, located just north of the Walter P. Reuther Freeway and east of Farmington Hills, sees an average of 50 traffic accidents every year. In 2021, 14 injury accidents resulted in 23 injuries and two fatalities. The deaths happened in a head-on collision.

Huron Street West and Telegraph Road North

Out of 47 accidents taking place where S.R. 59 meets Telegraph Road in 2021, 18 involved minor to serious injuries. Of these, three resulted in minor injuries (“C Level”), nine caused moderate injuries (“B Level”) and one was serious (“A Level”).

Southfield Road and 10 Mile Road West

This intersection, located near a drinking establishment, averages 52 crashes per year. People suffered minor to moderate injuries in 11 motor vehicle accidents in 2021.

Martin Parkway and North Pontiac Trail

While not the worst intersection in the Metro region, this roundabout was 44 accidents in 2021. 7 people suffered minor injuries, while one was seriously hurt.

What to Do in Case of an Accident

A motor vehicle accident is a frightening and stressful event, even for those who emerge from the experience relatively unscathed. Nonetheless, it is important to keep calm and as clear-headed as possible. There are there specific tasks that must be carried out at the accident scene, and how these are done can have a significant impact on outcomes—including any settlement you may receive.

Secure the Site and Render Aid

Safety must be the first priority. If you are able, exit the vehicle and put out flares and/or reflective triangles so other motorists are able to see the hazard. Also, check for fire hazards, such as leaking motor fuel and electrical dangers.

As soon as this is done, call an ambulance and check others for injuries. Render first aid if you have the training and skills.

Document the Scene and Call the Police

If there was only minor property damage, this might not seem necessary. Nonetheless, even for a fender bender, it’s a smart idea. Police reports are important for filing insurance claims. Cooperate with law enforcement officers as much as you are able. Even though you may be disoriented, do your best to provide a consistent account of what happened—and above all, do not admit to being at fault. Insurance companies will take note of such statements as well as any discrepancies.

While waiting for the police to arrive, start creating a record of the accident scene, including the make and model of each vehicle involved. Take photos or videos of the scene. Obtain witness statements, along with their contact information, as this will be important when an attorney investigates the accident. The law also requires parties involved in the accident to exchange contact, driver’s license and insurance information.

Filing a Claim

Michigan is one of 12 states in which motorists have “No-Fault” coverage. This means that each party’s injuries and medical expenses are covered by their own insurance, regardless of who or what caused the accident. However, a no-fault insurance policy does not cover property loss or car repairs.

Michigan law allows an accident victim to pursue three types of claims:

• First-Party Claim: An accident victim can sue their no-fault insurer if the company is too slow to pay or the settlement is too low. There is a one-year time limit on a first-party claim.
• Mini-Tort Claim: In order to recover repair and property damage expenses, Michigan allows accident victims to sue the responsible party for up to $3,000. The complaint must be filed within three years of the accident.
• Third-Party Claim: This is how accident victims can recover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, as well as excess expenses. This also has a three-year statute of limitations.

Getting Legal Help

While there is no requirement, it is best to have an experienced attorney representing your interests when filing an accident injury claim. The car accident lawyers at the Mike Morse Law Firm know how to negotiate with insurance companies in order to get you the best possible settlement. They will also represent you in the unlikely event that your case winds up in court (95 percent of injury claims are settled out of court). There are no upfront or out-of-pocket fees—we are paid only when we win your case.

Remember that time is of the essence, so call the law offices of Mike Morse today.