There are plenty of reasons to be proud of the City of Detroit, but its drivers are not one of them. Known as “The Motor City” and “the automobile capital of the world,” ironically, Detroit is close to the top of the list of U.S. cities with the worst drivers. Bad drivers increase the risk of accidents for all who share the roads. Even the most careful drivers and pedestrians can find themselves involved in a crash and suffering terrible consequences.
When bad drivers cause accidents, they need to be held accountable, and a Detroit car accident lawyer from White Law PLLC can help. Our team supports victims, fighting for their right to financial compensation from the driver who caused their accident, injuries, and the effects of those injuries.
The Ranking Method
In its effort to identify U.S. cities with the worst drivers, a recent study analyzed data across five metrics and assigned each metric a percentage of a city’s score. The result of the first metric represented 24% of the city’s score, and the remaining four each represented 19%. Data collected provided the number, per 100,000 city residents, of:
- Fatal car crashes
- Fatal car crashes involving a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher
- Fatal car crashes involved a distracted driver
- Fatal car crashes involving speeding drivers
- People killed in fatal crashes
Forbes Advisor gathered data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality and Injury Reporting Tool. The result for each metric represented an average of data collected over a recent five-year period. Data regarding each city’s population came from a recent U.S. Census Bureau report.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
How Detroit Got Its No. 3 Spot
Though “100” represents a perfect score, for this test, it indicates a perfectly terrible score. Albuquerque, New Mexico earned top marks, scoring 100 out of 100 points. Memphis, Tennessee came in second, with 98.51 points, and Detroit, Michigan took the third position with 94.97 points.
Detroit reported a high number of fatal car accidents per 100,000 residents, with 19.76. This number is higher than Albuquerque’s score for this metric (17.11) and less than Memphis’s result of 24.18. Memphis had the highest score for this metric.
Detroit came in second for these three metrics:
- 6.54 for accidents involving a driver under the influence. For comparison, Memphis was first with 7.5
- 6.8 for accidents involving speeding
- 21.47 people killed in fatal crashes. For comparison, Memphis was first with 25.96.
Nation and State Statistics and Trends
A recent NHTSA report shows a hopeful decrease in the number of accident fatalities for the most recent years of data collection after seeking a “spike” during the pandemic. An additional report of recent fatality estimations shows a 3.6% decrease in fatalities, going from 42,524 to 40,0990 deaths from one year to the next. The organization projects a continuing decline based on ongoing data collection.
The most recent Michigan State Police Statewide Traffic Crash Data Year-End Report shows an uptick, then a significant decrease, and then a continuing trend of increase in total crashes over a recent five-year period. From the fourth to fifth years of that time span, total crashes and property-damage crashes went up, while the numbers for fatal and injury-causing crashes went down. Wayne County, the most populous county in the State, saw the highest number of total crashes, at 50,697.
In fact, Wayne County had the highest number of accidents in almost every category reported Exceptions include categories for accidents involving animals or farm equipment. The county’s high population of course, factors into its leading position. Still, the high numbers show the real danger existing for all who travel Detroit and other Wayne County roads.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Holding a Bad Driver Accountable
Victims of Michigan car accidents are eligible to seek compensation from the party at fault for the accident as long as they hold less fault for the accident than the party they are suing. If they meet this criterion but still bear partial fault, the total settlement they can collect is reduced by the percentage of fault they hold, as per Michigan law, Chapter 600. Car accidents can be complicated, making it essential for victims to have an experienced car accident attorney in Detroit investigate the event to determine what happened and identify the negligent party.
The team at White Law PLLC has the experience, knowledge, and extensive resources needed to carry out a thorough investigation. We will work to identify the negligent party, gather convincing evidence to prove their culpability and challenge accusations of fault potentially leveled against you. You can count on us to build a strong case.
After calculating your damages–the financial losses your accident incurred and putting a dollar amount on the emotional and quality-of-life effects of your injuries–we will send the at-fault party’s representatives a settlement demand. Typically, the other side will counter with a lower offer, and negotiations will begin. We will negotiate fiercely, seeking an out-of-court settlement, but if the at-fault party does not offer a fair amount, we will present you with your options and be prepared to take the fight to court, should that be the agreed-upon and best way forward.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Detroit’s Bad Drivers Have Met Their Match
Detroit’s bad drivers must be held responsible for the harm they cause the careful, law-abiding drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists sharing Detroit’s road with them. The physical and emotional trauma reckless drivers inflict upon victims is bad enough, and leaving victims to foot the financial bill is unconscionable and unfair.
If you have been hurt by a Detroit driver, White Law PLLC will fight to put the financial burden for your losses where it belongs: on the negligent driver. Send a message or call us to schedule a free consultation with a skilled Detroit car accident attorney from our team. We stand up for victims and stand up to bad drivers. We are ready to stand up for you.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
