Michigan pedestrian accidents have been on the rise in recent years. Possible factors contributing to these increased numbers include reckless driving habits, larger and heavier vehicles, and poor road design.
Below, we’ll further explore the recent rise in pedestrian accidents, explain the top risks that are contributing to this increase, and share some tips to help protect anyone traveling on foot in Macomb.
Are Pedestrian Accidents Increasing in Michigan?
According to data released by the Michigan State Police, accidents involving vulnerable roadway users (bikers and pedestrians) rose at least 10% from 2022 to 2023. Those heightened levels were sustained in 2024 (even slightly increased).
Pedestrian fatalities have also grown. Fatal accidents rose from 173 in 2022 to 183 in 2023—an almost 6% jump.
Clearly, pedestrian accidents are increasing in both frequency and severity.
What Is Causing Pedestrian Accidents to Rise?
Increases in reckless driving behavior, poor road design, and larger vehicles have all contributed to the recent rise in pedestrian accidents.
Reckless Driving Habits
Traffic safety authorities have noted a nationwide increase in reckless driving behaviors since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite overall traffic volume initially decreasing, fatal crash rates dramatically increased. It’s believed that behaviors such as higher driving speeds, impaired driving, and less regard for the rules of the road may still be contributing to higher pedestrian accident rates today.
In addition to the increase in speeding and driving under the influence, distracted driving causes thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries each year.
Poor Infrastructure & Road Design
Driving behavior is not the sole cause of increased pedestrian accidents. One of the main contributing factors is deadly roadway design. Many roads throughout the United States are designed to prioritize fast-moving vehicle traffic, often encouraging higher driving speeds that increase the severity of pedestrian collisions.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), “A driver traveling at 30 mph who hits a pedestrian has a 45% chance of killing or seriously injuring them. At 20 mph, that percentage drops to 5%.”
Crosswalk design can also significantly influence the frequency of pedestrian accidents. The FHWA reports that high-visibility crosswalks can reduce pedestrian crashes by up to 40%, while enhanced intersection lighting can reduce pedestrian crashes by up to 42%. Advanced yield markings and signs have also been shown to improve driver awareness at pedestrian crossings.
These findings demonstrate the significant role infrastructure design plays in pedestrian safety.
More Dangerous Vehicles
Vehicle design is another contributing factor to pedestrian accidents. Modern SUVs, trucks, and EVs are generally taller and heavier than passenger vehicles from previous decades. Higher hood heights, larger blind spots, and increased vehicle weight can increase the severity of pedestrian collisions.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes, “SUVs and vans with a hood height greater than 40 inches are about 45 percent more likely to cause fatalities in pedestrian crashes than cars and other vehicles with a hood height of 30 inches or less and a sloping profile.”
When and Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen Most Often?
Knowing when and where accidents are most likely to occur is one of the best ways to protect yourself as a pedestrian in Michigan.
Urban vs. Suburban Areas
Pedestrian accidents increasingly occur in suburban settings. Many suburban arterial roads are designed for fast-moving vehicle traffic, often featuring wide lanes, high speed limits, and long distances between crosswalks.
Hall Road (M-59) illustrates the type of roadway safety experts frequently identify in discussions about pedestrian risk. While roads like these are designed to move large volumes of traffic efficiently, that efficiency often comes at the expense of pedestrian safety.
Nighttime vs. Daytime
Nighttime is by far the most dangerous time to be a pedestrian. According to the FHWA, over three-quarters of all pedestrian fatalities occur in dark conditions. Reduced visibility and poor roadway lighting both contribute to heightened crash rates after sunset.
High-Risk Locations
Intersections, crosswalks, and mid-block crossing areas are amongst the highest-risk locations for pedestrian accidents. About 74% of pedestrian fatalities occurred along mid-block locations while about 25% occurred at intersections, according to data from the FHWA.
Who Is Most at Risk in Pedestrian Accidents?
Some groups face a disproportionately high risk of serious or fatal pedestrian accidents, including:
- Children
- Senior Citizens
- Pedestrians Walking at Night
- Low-Income Communities and Areas with Poor Infrastructure
- People Near High-Speed Roads
Pedestrian Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself
For our firm, the biggest win is preventing pedestrian accidents before they ever happen. Here are a few pedestrian safety tips to keep in mind the next time you’re traveling somewhere on foot:
- Stay visible: Wear bright, reflective clothing if you plan to travel anywhere on foot at night.
- Use crosswalks: Crossing the road at designated pedestrian crossing areas greatly reduces the likelihood of accidents from occurring.
- Avoid distractions: Staying alert is vital while traveling anywhere on foot. Avoid using your phone and make sure to continuously scan the environment around you.
- Make eye contact with drivers: Eye contact can help confirm that a driver is aware of your presence while crossing a street or intersection.
- Walk defensively: Even when you have the right-of-way, it is important to remain cautious and avoid assuming that approaching drivers will stop or yield appropriately.
Following these steps will greatly help reduce the chance of a serious pedestrian accident from happening.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
The first and most important thing to do after a pedestrian accident is to seek medical attention. Ensuring your health is the top priority. Only once medical treatment is received, should you start thinking about building your case.
Once your health is stabilized, we recommend that you file a police report. A police report is a vital piece of evidence to your case. It helps establish a timeline of what happened and often serves as the first official documentation of the incident.
After a police report is filed, it’s time to start thinking about building your case and preserving evidence. Document the scene of the accident with thorough photos and videos and contact surrounding businesses for surveillance camera footage that could be used as evidence.
However, gathering and preserving evidence after a serious pedestrian accident can quickly become overwhelming—especially while recovering from injuries. This is one reason many pedestrian accident victims turn to the Femminineo Law Accident Response Team. Our team can help secure surveillance footage, photograph the accident scene, identify witnesses, and preserve critical evidence before it disappears.
Finally, your insurance will likely reach out to you in the days following your accident. It’s important not to admit fault during these conversations. We always recommend consulting with an experienced Detroit pedestrian accident attorney prior to speaking extensively with your insurer.
When Should You Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Michigan?
Speaking with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Michigan is one of the most important steps you can take following an accident.
They will be able to help in instances of serious injuries, disputed fault, and issues with insurance coverage. Their expert guidance is an invaluable tool that helps pedestrian accident victims maximize their recovery.
Consider reaching out to the top name in pedestrian accident law in Michigan today, before your case is complicated by inaccurate statements or misleading questions from your insurance provider.
FAQs About Pedestrian Accidents
Why are pedestrian accidents increasing?
Pedestrian accidents are increasing due to reckless driving habits, poor infrastructure design, and increasingly larger and heavier vehicles on the road.
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen?
Most pedestrian accidents happen at intersections, crosswalks, and mid-block crossing areas on high-speed, suburban arterial roadways.
How can pedestrians stay safe on the road?
Pedestrians can stay safe by remaining vigilant, wearing bright and reflective clothing, using designated crosswalks, and never assuming a driver sees you or is going to stop for you.
Do I need a lawyer after a pedestrian accident?
A pedestrian accident attorney can offer invaluable advice following a serious pedestrian accident. While not legally necessary, their guidance can make your case.
Talk to a Michigan Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Pedestrian accidents have seen a steady increase in the 2020s. Factors like increased distractions behind the wheel, larger vehicles, and car-centric infrastructure design have all contributed to higher accident rates among pedestrians.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to consider the guidance of an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.
The team at Femminineo law specializes in pedestrian accident cases and has won big for many pedestrian accident victims. We pride ourselves not only on our results, but the way we help our clients piece their lives back together after a catastrophe.
Give us a call at 855-65-CRASH or schedule a free consultation today. From the moment you reach out, the Accident Response Team will be in motion—documenting the scene, preserving evidence, coordinating medical care, and connecting you with financial relief.
Get David. Get Paid.
