Call Today: (248) 540-3100
You don’t pay if we don’t win!
Table of Contents
Michigan Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Table of Contents
A pedestrian crash does not start like a normal injury claim. You were not in a vehicle. You may not know which insurance company is supposed to pay. The driver’s insurer may already be calling, even while you are dealing with the emergency room, missed work, and pain that makes ordinary routines hard.
A pedestrian accident lawyer Michigan families call after a serious crash should be able to handle both sides of the case from the start. In Michigan, that usually means a no-fault PIP claim for medical bills and wage loss, plus a separate claim against the at-fault driver for pain, suffering, and other losses no-fault does not cover.
At Harris Altman, PC, we manage both tracks under one roof. We identify the right no-fault insurer, file and manage the PIP claim, investigate how the crash happened, and pursue the driver’s insurer when the injuries meet Michigan’s legal threshold. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we win your case.
Why Choose Harris Altman, PC for a Michigan Pedestrian Accident Case
Pedestrian cases move through two legal systems at once. The medical-bill and wage-loss side runs through Michigan’s no-fault laws. The pain-and-suffering side runs through the claim against the at-fault driver. Harris Altman, PC handles both so the case does not get split across firms or slowed down by gaps in communication.
Our firm has handled approximately 10,000 personal injury cases for over ten years. We are built for serious motor vehicle injury cases, including pedestrian claims, car crash claims, and no-fault disputes. We also use technology to move cases forward and keep people informed, while making attorneys and staff directly accessible when questions come up.
Client Testimonials
“I cannot say enough about Brad Harris and his team. They helped me through some rough years and I thank all of them for their compassion and patience. I will highly recommend them to anyone who may need their help.” — Cheryl G.
“From the very first call to your firm, I’ve had nothing but positive experiences. Mr. Brett Altman, thank you for having compassion, being down to earth and yet professional at the same time. Thank you for doing a grand job on my behalf!” — Andrea M.
“My legal team was thorough and made sure I was well-informed about every step of this process. Additionally, whenever I had questions or concerns, my legal team was easily accessible.” — Stephanie G.
Meet Your Michigan Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Hit by a Car While Walking in Michigan: What Happens Next
The first few days after a pedestrian crash can feel scattered. There may be an ambulance ride, X-rays, CT scans, prescriptions, and a police report you have not yet seen. Family members may be trying to get updates from the hospital while bills and missed shifts begin piling up.
At the same time, the at-fault driver’s insurer may call. The adjuster may sound helpful, but that company does not represent you. Its job is to protect the driver and the insurance company. A recorded statement can be used later to challenge where you were walking, whether you saw the vehicle, or how badly you were hurt.
Michigan pedestrian accident claims usually have two tracks.
- The no-fault claim pays certain economic losses, such as medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services, mileage, and attendant care.
- The third-party claim seeks damages from the at-fault driver for losses no-fault does not cover, including pain and suffering when the injury meets Michigan’s legal threshold.
Those two tracks have different rules, different deadlines, and often different insurance companies. A Michigan pedestrian accident attorney can help coordinate both from the start.
Michigan Pedestrian Accident Statistics and Common Causes
Pedestrian accident statistics Michigan families see each year show why these claims deserve careful attention. Michigan Traffic Crash Facts reported 2,281 pedestrians involved in 2,131 motor vehicle crashes in 2024. Of those pedestrians, 156 were killed and 1,809 were injured. Although deaths were lower than the 183 pedestrian fatalities reported in 2023, the 2024 numbers still show how serious these crashes can be for people on foot.
Pedestrian accident claims often rely on quick evidence collection. Video from nearby businesses may be overwritten. Traffic-signal data may be available for a limited time. Witnesses may become harder to reach. The earlier the investigation starts, the stronger the liability picture can become.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Michigan
- Distracted driving. A driver looking at a phone, dashboard screen, or navigation system can miss a person in plain sight, which supports a negligence claim.
- Failure to yield in marked crosswalks and at intersections. When a driver ignores Michigan pedestrian crosswalk laws, the violation can become key evidence of fault.
- Right-on-red turns without checking the walk signal. Drivers turning through intersections must look for people crossing before they move.
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving. Impairment can explain poor reaction time, unsafe turns, and failure to stop.
- Speeding in neighborhoods, school zones, and business districts. Higher speed shortens reaction time and often makes injuries worse.
- Hit-and-run and parking-lot collisions. A driver who leaves the scene may still be found through video, witnesses, license plate data, and insurance investigation.
Michigan Pedestrian Accident Laws You Need to Know
Pedestrian accident laws in Michigan can be confusing because a person on foot may have rights under no-fault insurance and a negligence claim at the same time. The key is knowing what each law does and how quickly action must be taken.
No-Fault PIP Benefits for Pedestrians
Michigan’s no-fault law can provide personal injury protection benefits even when the injured person was walking and does not own a vehicle. Under MCL 500.3107, PIP can cover reasonable and necessary medical expenses, work loss for the first three years, and replacement services up to $20 per day. Wage-loss benefits are generally 85% of lost income because PIP wage-loss payments are not taxable income.
The insurer question can be harder. MCL 500.3114 generally looks first to the injured person’s own no-fault policy, then to a spouse or resident relative’s policy. If no applicable PIP coverage exists or no coverage can be identified, the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan may apply under MCL 500.3172.
Third-Party Negligence Claims and the Serious Impairment Threshold
No-fault benefits do not pay for every loss. To recover pain and suffering from the at-fault driver, the pedestrian usually must show death, permanent serious disfigurement, or a serious impairment of body function under MCL 500.3135.
A serious impairment is an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function that affects a person’s general ability to live in their normal manner. In plain terms, the impairment must be observable or perceivable by someone other than the injured person. It must involve a body function of real significance, and it must affect how the person lives compared with life before the crash.
Comparative Negligence in Michigan Pedestrian Cases
Comparative negligence in Michigan pedestrian disputes is common. The insurance company may argue that the pedestrian crossed outside a marked crosswalk, entered the road suddenly, wore dark clothing, or looked down at a phone. Under Michigan law, damages can be reduced by the pedestrian’s share of fault. For many motor vehicle tort claims, the law bars non-economic damages if the injured person is more than 50% at fault.
That is why evidence matters. Surveillance video, traffic-light timing, the police report, witness statements, vehicle damage, and crash reconstruction can push back when the insurer tries to place too much blame on the person who was hurt.
The Statute of Limitations
The pedestrian accident statute of limitations Michigan families need to know depends on the type of claim. A claim against the at-fault driver is generally subject to a three-year deadline. A no-fault PIP claim can move faster. You generally need to give the insurance company written notice within one year of the crash, and waiting too long can limit which unpaid benefits you may recover.
Some cases have even shorter deadlines, especially when a government vehicle, public agency, or unsafe public property is involved. The safest step is to speak with a Michigan pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash.
Who Pays After a Pedestrian Accident in Michigan
After a pedestrian crash, many people worry about insurance coverage, especially if they do not own a car. Michigan law answers that through insurance priority rules and, when no applicable coverage exists, the assigned claims system.
If You Have Your Own Auto Insurance
Your own no-fault policy is usually the first place to look for PIP benefits, even though you were walking. The medical-expense ceiling depends on the PIP medical coverage level selected on the policy, such as $50,000 when legally available, $250,000, $500,000, or unlimited.
If a Resident Relative Has Auto Insurance
If you do not have your own auto policy but live with a spouse or resident relative who does, that household policy may provide your no-fault PIP benefits. The relative does not have to be the driver who hit you. The coverage question depends on household status, the policy language, and Michigan’s statutory priority rules.
If No One in the Household Has Auto Insurance
If no personal or household no-fault policy applies, the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan may assign the claim to a participating insurer. Assigned claims benefits are subject to statutory limits and require a completed application and reasonable proof of loss.
Compensation Available After a Michigan Pedestrian Accident
How much a pedestrian accident case is worth in Michigan depends on the injury, the available insurance, the fault evidence, the medical proof, and how the injury changes daily life. The clearest way to understand compensation is to separate it into two buckets.
No-Fault PIP Benefits
PIP benefits pay certain economic losses regardless of who caused the crash. Depending on the policy and the claim, these may include the following:
- Medical expenses tied to the crash, subject to the applicable PIP medical coverage level or assigned claims limit.
- 85% of gross wage loss for up to three years, subject to statutory monthly caps that adjust over time.
- Replacement services up to $20 per day for ordinary household tasks the injury keeps you from doing.
- Attendant care for help with personal-care needs such as bathing, dressing, medication support, and mobility.
- Mileage and transportation costs for medical appointments related to the injury.
- Survivor’s loss benefits for dependents when a pedestrian is killed in the crash.
Third-Party Damages: Pain and Suffering and Beyond
The claim against the at-fault driver can address losses that PIP does not fully cover. Depending on the facts, a third-party claim may seek compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, excess medical bills above the PIP cap, wage loss beyond the three-year PIP period, future earning capacity, and loss of consortium for a spouse.
MCL 500.3135 also allows claims for certain economic losses in excess of no-fault limits. That matters in serious pedestrian cases because medical care, rehabilitation, home care, and future wage loss can extend well beyond the basic PIP framework.
How a Michigan Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case
The Michigan pedestrian accident claim process works best when both tracks are handled early. Harris Altman, PC moves the case forward in a practical sequence.
- Free consultation and case evaluation. We speak with you by phone, meet in person, or come to the hospital when travel is not possible. There is no fee to meet with us.
- Evidence preservation. We collect the police report, 911 audio, traffic camera footage, nearby surveillance video, witness statements, vehicle information, and event-data evidence when available.
- PIP claim filed and managed. We identify the responsible no-fault insurer, help submit the required notice or application as early as possible, and handle disputes over medical bills, wage loss, attendant care, and replacement services. This matters because no-fault claims have strict timing rules, and delays can affect what benefits may be recovered.
- Liability investigation and demand. We analyze the driver’s conduct, obtain medical support, document the full impact of the injury, and submit a settlement demand to the at-fault driver’s liability insurer.
- Lawsuit filed when needed. If the insurance company will not pay fairly, we file the third-party negligence suit and move the case through discovery, depositions, mediation, and trial preparation.
Local Help for Pedestrian Accident Claims in Metro Detroit and Beyond
Harris Altman, PC represents injured pedestrians across Michigan’s lower peninsula, with a strong focus on Metro Detroit and the surrounding counties. If you searched for a pedestrian accident lawyer near me, a Detroit pedestrian accident lawyer, a Bingham Farms pedestrian accident attorney, or an Oakland County pedestrian accident lawyer, our office is built to help people with serious motor vehicle injury claims throughout the region.
Speak With a Michigan Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Before the Insurance Company Shapes the Case
If you or a family member was hit by a car while walking in Michigan, the next few days can affect your PIP benefits, the evidence needed to prove fault, and the value of your claim against the driver. You do not have to sort through two insurance systems while you are also trying to heal.
Call Harris Altman, PC at 248-540-3100 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee, which means there is no fee unless we win your case. We will explain what happens next, identify the right no-fault insurer, protect your deadlines, and take over the insurance pressure so you can focus on recovery.
