Struck By A Vehicle
Pedestrian accident lawyer in Michigan
A person on foot has no protection against a moving vehicle. We connect injured Michigan pedestrians with attorneys, and yes, no-fault benefits usually apply to you too.
When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the injuries are often severe because there is nothing to absorb the impact. Many people who are hit while walking assume that, because they were not in a car, Michigan's no-fault system does not help them. In most cases, that assumption is wrong, and acting on it can cost you benefits you are entitled to.
We connect injured Michigan pedestrians with experienced attorneys. Getting matched is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.
No-fault usually applies to pedestrians
Here is the key point. If you are hit by a car or truck while walking, Michigan no-fault generally provides Personal Injury Protection benefits for your medical care and lost wages, even though you were on foot. Where those benefits come from depends on the situation, often your own auto policy if you have one, the policy of a resident relative, or the insurer of the vehicle involved, following an order of priority set by law. Sorting this out correctly is one of the most valuable things an attorney does in a pedestrian case. Learn more on our Michigan no-fault page.
Driver duty and your right to recover
Drivers owe pedestrians a duty of reasonable care, including extra caution at crosswalks, intersections, and in areas with foot traffic. When a driver is distracted, speeding, or fails to yield, they can be held responsible. If your injuries are serious enough to meet Michigan's threshold, you may also bring a claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering beyond your no-fault benefits.
Crosswalks, fault, and the facts
Drivers and insurers sometimes try to shift blame onto the pedestrian. Michigan's comparative fault rule means your recovery can be reduced by your share of responsibility, so evidence about the crosswalk, the signal, and the driver's conduct matters. An attorney helps establish what really happened.
How matching works
Tell us what happened, get matched with an experienced Michigan pedestrian accident attorney, and get a free case review at no cost and with no obligation.
No fee unless you win
The attorneys we connect you with typically work on contingency, so there is no upfront cost and no fee unless they recover for you. See our No Fee Unless You Win page.
Free Case Review
Hurt as a pedestrian? Get matched fast. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Pedestrian Accident FAQ
Michigan pedestrian accident questions, answered
Does Michigan no-fault cover pedestrians?
Usually yes. If you are struck by a car or truck while walking, no-fault generally provides PIP benefits for your medical care and lost wages, even though you were on foot. Which insurer pays depends on a legal order of priority.
Where do my benefits come from if I do not own a car?
They may come from the policy of a resident relative or from the insurer of the vehicle that hit you, following the priority rules in the no-fault act. An attorney can identify the correct source so your care is covered.
Can I also sue the driver who hit me?
If your injuries meet Michigan’s serious injury threshold, you may bring a separate claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and other damages beyond your no-fault benefits.
What if the driver says I was at fault?
Michigan uses comparative fault, so your recovery can be reduced by your share of responsibility and barred if you are more than half at fault. Evidence about the crosswalk, signals, and the driver’s conduct is key to establishing the facts.
What if it was a hit and run?
You may still have access to no-fault benefits and to uninsured motorist coverage even when the driver flees. Reporting the crash and acting quickly helps preserve your options.
How long do I have to file?
You generally have one year to apply for no-fault benefits and three years to sue an at-fault driver. Because the coverage questions are technical, it is wise to connect with an attorney early.
Do I need a lawyer for a pedestrian accident?
The no-fault priority rules and fault disputes make these cases tricky, and the injuries are often serious. A free case review costs nothing and helps you understand your rights.
Related practice areas
Other Michigan injury claims we connect people with.
Car Accidents
No-fault benefits and crash injury claims.
Michigan No-Fault
PIP benefits and the 2019 reform.
Truck Accidents
Commercial rules and severe injuries.
Catastrophic Injuries
Brain and spinal injury claims.
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Hurt as a pedestrian in Michigan?
Connect with an attorney who knows no-fault applies to you. Free, no obligation, and no fee unless you win.