Michigan can be a wonderful place to live or visit, but navigating some roads here can be challenging. While some Michigan roads are certainly easier to navigate than others, every road has the potential to be dangerous and full of motor vehicle accidents. All it takes is one to start an ugly domino effect.
If you find yourself involved in an accident in Michigan, even without bad weather conditions or the negligence of other drivers, a knowledgeable car accident attorney can help you navigate the legal process and Michigan state police and help you focus on recovery. Fortunately, that is exactly what you will find at Matz Injury Law with our commitment to helping victims of accidents. Get in touch with our law firm today to get started.
Which Cities in Michigan Have the Most Car Accidents?
The city with the most dangerous intersections and most car accidents is Detroit, according to accident statistics, but that is fairly obvious when you consider just how many people go in and out of Oakland County each day. You are probably already driving cautiously in Detroit, so it is important to focus on the other Michigan cities with a high number of car accidents.
Grand Rapids is among the top cities in the state when it comes to accidents. In fact, Kent County had nearly 20,100 accidents throughout 2021, with a staggering 66 fatalities. Flint can be quite dangerous as well, with its several troublesome intersections. Flint’s home of Genesee County experienced 10,601 car crashes throughout 2021 that resulted in 60 fatalities. Washtenaw County and the Ann Arbor area also saw a significant number of crashes, with 8,864 in total. Even Allegan saw nearly 4,000 crashes last year.
Where is the Most Common Place for a Car Accident in Michigan?
Car accidents can happen anywhere your motor vehicle goes, but some places present more danger than others. The most common places for a Michigan car accident include:
Intersections
Intersections set the stage for accidents quite easily given that traffic is coming from multiple directions at once. The danger is increased when an intersection does not have stop lights, only stop signs. Even worse, some only have yield signs.
Two-Lane Roads
With two-lane roads, the primary problem is how narrow the roads can be. While a road may be two lanes in theory, particularly narrow lanes with traffic going both ways can lead to accidents, especially if larger vehicles are trying to pass one another. Additionally, this setup makes it easy for someone to merge into oncoming traffic accidentally.
Parking Lots
While parking lot accidents generally do not lead to injuries as serious as what you would find on the road, an accident can still complicate your life and cause damage if pedestrians are involved. However, most parking lot accidents are fender benders involving someone backing out of a parking spot, not serious accidents.
Rural Highways
Rural highways and roadways are typically less traveled, but that only means they are common sites for single-vehicle accidents. These are mostly caused by inattention and involve motorists veering off the road. It is easy to feel confident looking at your phone when you do not see other cars on the road, but accidents can still happen.
Interstates
Interstate accidents can be particularly bad due to the high speeds of cars traveling on these roads. Plus, large vehicles like SUVs and trucks use interstates, increasing the likelihood of serious injuries.
How Many Accidents Happen in Michigan Each Year?
Hundreds of thousands of car accidents occur in the state of Michigan every year. In 2021 alone, Michigan saw 282,640 accidents. Compared to the previous year, the number is increasing. This follows a common pattern observed before pandemic lockdown restrictions saw car accidents drop significantly. For reference, the total number of accidents in 2020 was 245,432, while 2019 saw 314,377, an increase from 2018’s 312,798 accidents. The latter is the highest number of Michigan auto accidents that have occurred in quite some time.
Different times of year see different rates of accidents. Considering the statistical data, the riskiest time to drive is on a Friday in November from 3 p.m. to 5:59 p.m. If you are more concerned about fatalities, the data tells a different story, as fatal crashes are more likely to happen in August on Saturdays after 6 p.m. but before 9 p.m.
What is the Most Common Cause of Automobile Accidents in Michigan?
Automobile accidents occur for a variety of different reasons. It is important to look out for all of them when you are behind the wheel. However, most car accidents are caused by human negligence. Negligence when driving can take several forms, including texting, being distracted, driving tired, and more. Essentially, anything that prevents a driver from giving a reasonable amount of attention to other motorists and traffic laws can make a driver negligent.
Aside from negligence, there are quite a few other factors that cause car accidents throughout Michigan. Here are a few of the most common ones to keep in mind.
Speeding
Speed limits exist to ensure that traffic on any road is moving at a speed at which drivers can retain control of their vehicles without putting others in danger. The nature of the road can greatly affect the speed limit. Certain zoning restrictions may also limit it. However, going over the speed limit can cause accidents, especially when speeders try to maneuver around others driving responsibly.
Fatigue
Driving tired can be just as bad as driving drunk. When experiencing fatigue, your reaction time, judgment, and awareness drop. Night-shift workers, long-shift workers, commercial drivers, and others can suffer from fatigue that puts drivers at risk.
Weather Conditions
Certain weather conditions can make roads much more dangerous than they usually would be. Heavy rain, for example, can create slick surfaces that are harder to find traction on while also limiting visibility. Heavy fog similarly causes visibility issues. Inexperienced drivers may create even worse conditions by trying to use high-beam lights in the fog.
While the majority of collisions occur in dry conditions, that is only because it is dry most of the time. Throughout 2021, 41,433 traffic crashes occurred in wet road conditions, with 15,518 crashes occurring during snowy conditions. Surprisingly, snow is statistically more dangerous than icy conditions.
Why Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney?
Hiring a car accident attorney is the best way to put yourself in a position to receive compensation for your accident. Auto accidents can inflict physical, emotional, and economic damages. All of these can lead to suffering, and getting the compensation you need can be tough without help.
In terms of compensation, physical damages are those that cover personal injuries sustained in the accident. Medical bills are costly, so you will likely need help to avoid debt for medical treatment. Property damage is another type of damage, while emotional damages consider the mental trauma that goes along with an accident, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and more. Finally, the economic impact of an accident refers to its cost, including lost income from your inability to work during your recovery.
An experienced car accident attorney can help you deal with insurance companies in a way that the average person simply can not. Remember, insurance companies profit by denying you as much coverage as possible. Having a lawyer by your side makes it much harder for them to deny you.
Beware of Dangerous Intersections and Negligent Michigan Drivers
Always remember to practice traffic safety on the road by obeying traffic laws, maintaining awareness, and wearing your seat belt. Even the most vigilant drivers, however, can still be victims of accidents. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident, contact Matz Injury Law for a free consultation by calling 1-866-22Not33 or filling out our online contact form.
