If you’ve been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident in Grand Rapids, you may be facing rising medical bills and wondering what to do if your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits aren’t enough. A skilled Grand Rapids pedestrian accident lawyer can help. With decades of experience, our personal injury law firm has helped injured pedestrians with the legal process and recovered the full and just compensation they deserve. We can help you too.
In this Article
Who Is a Pedestrian Under Michigan Law?
In Michigan, a “pedestrian” includes anyone on foot, as well as those using skis, skates, rollerblades, or wheelchairs. It also includes those riding a horse or in a horse and buggy.
What Is Michigan’s No-Fault Law for Motor Vehicle Accidents?
Michigan is a no-fault state. This means all drivers must have PIP to cover minor injuries, regardless of fault. Michigan drivers can choose from several PIP coverage levels with their own insurance company, which pay for medical expenses up to the selected amount, along with lost wages, attendant care, and some funeral expenses. For severe injuries, such as those from pedestrian crashes, victims may seek compensation in personal injury cases for additional damages including pain and suffering (if they are less than 50% at fault).
Can a No-Fault Policy Cover a Pedestrian Accident?
Under Michigan law, the auto insurance company that will cover the injured pedestrian is determined by these priority rules. First, the pedestrian’s own PIP from their auto policy, then the no-fault policy of a spouse. If neither of those exist, they may seek compensation from the no-fault policy of a relative in the same household. And finally, if none of those policies are available, they can seek no-fault benefits from the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Grand Rapids
Do I Need a Lawyer in Michigan’s No-Fault System?
Injuries suffered in a pedestrian accident are often catastrophic injuries. In a no-fault insurance system like Michigan’s, if your injuries are severe, you may be able to pursue fair compensation beyond your own PIP insurance coverage and no-fault benefits. An experienced personal injury lawyer with in-depth knowledge of no-fault insurance can help you determine if you are eligible to file a Michigan pedestrian accident lawsuit.
Serious Injuries in Grand Rapids Pedestrian Accident Cases
MCL – Section 257.58c defines injuries that qualify as a serious impairment of a body function that may be grounds for pursuing additional damages (beyond benefits from no-fault insurance benefits) after a car or truck accident involving a pedestrian and may include:
Severe injuries like the loss or loss of use of limbs, such as hands, feet, fingers, or thumbs
Vision or hearing loss, as well as impairments to bodily functions
Conditions like comas lasting more than 3 days or measurable brain or mental impairments
Serious physical trauma, including visible disfigurement, skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and substantial bone fractures
Loss of organs or internal injuries like subdural hemorrhages or hematomas
Compensation for Seriously Injured Pedestrian Accident Victims
In a personal injury lawsuit following a pedestrian accident that results in serious impairment of a body function, additional damages beyond those provided in no-fault insurance claims may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering compensation, and more.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Case in Grand Rapids, MI?
Under Michigan personal injury law, the statute of limitations for a motor vehicle-pedestrian accident, including wrongful death (MCL 700.3924), is three years—starting from the date of your accident.
Contact Our Grand Rapids Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver as a pedestrian in Michigan, we’re here to help you recover compensation. Reach out to the experienced attorneys at our personal injury law firm today for a free consultation.
If you’ve been seriously injured in as a pedestrian in Grand Rapids, get help from a pedestrian accident lawyer and explore your legal options.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
(312) 223-1700