Given the many dangers on the road, pedestrians and bicyclists are naturally vulnerable to catastrophic injuries and death. Drivers are increasingly distracted, reckless and indifferent to the law and basic safety procedures. That has placed a growing number of people in jeopardy.
Michigan has recently seen a worrisome uptick in riders and pedestrians being hit by automobiles. Those who have been hurt or had a loved one lose their lives must be fully aware of their rights.
Michigan bicyclist and pedestrian crashes the worst since 2019
According to the most recent data, pedestrians and bicyclists saw the highest number of crashes in Michigan since 2019. Comprehensive numbers for 2023 show that there were more than 2,100 auto collisions in which a pedestrian was involved; there were 1,480 such accidents involving a bicyclist. This was a spike of 11% and 10% respectively when compared to 2022. Twenty-four riders lost their lives in 2023; 183 pedestrians were killed.
According to safety professionals in the state, this makes it more important to emphasize to drivers that they need to watch for people with whom they are sharing the road, particularly those who are not protected by an automobile of their own. There were notable decreases in these kinds of accidents in 2019 and 2020 before they started increasing incrementally again. Even areas known to be bicyclist and pedestrian friendly like Ann Arbor saw a worrisome rise in accidents.
The statistics were broken down extensively to highlight when the greatest risk was in terms of days of the week and time of the year. It was safest for riders and pedestrians during weekends. The worst days for crashes were Wednesday and Friday. Autumn saw the most pedestrian accidents with October and November being the worst months. March and July were the safest.
Wayne County had the most bicycle accidents in 2023 with 361. That was up from 294 the previous year. In order, the next four counties with at least one-hundred were Oakland, Kent, Macomb and Washtenaw. Wayne was also at the top for pedestrian accidents with 686.
Navigating the aftermath of pedestrian and bicycle crashes
A person who is injured and the family left behind after a loved one is killed in a bicycle or pedestrian accident will have many questions as to what to do. Since these accidents can be so severe, it can leave a person with massive medical costs, long-term injuries, questions as to how extensive their treatment will be, what their professional prospects are and how their family will move forward.
It is essential to remember that there is no substitute for qualified guidance and a history of helping people in this very situation. A key aspect of any auto accident case is to gather evidence, determine the damage and move forward as soon as possible. People who are concerned about any of these issues after a bicycle or pedestrian accident across the state need to make sure they are protected and hold drivers accountable.
