Detroit Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were struck by a car, truck, or commercial vehicle in Detroit, Michigan, the law may entitle you to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Injured pedestrians have the right to file a compensation claim even though they were not inside a vehicle at the time of the crash. These cases frequently involve serious injuries because pedestrians have little physical protection during impact.

Kajy Law Firm handles motor vehicle accident cases exclusively, including pedestrian accident claims throughout Detroit and surrounding Michigan communities. Our firm focuses on bringing over 150 years of cumulative experience to help injured people secure compensation for their pain and injuries.

Injured in an Accident? Call Kajy Law Now!

Key Takeaways: Detroit Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accident victims in Detroit may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering under Michigan no-fault and third-party liability laws.
Michigan’s no-fault system can provide PIP benefits for medical care, wage loss, and household support.
A separate claim against the at-fault driver may allow additional recovery for long-term damages like pain and emotional distress.
Pedestrian cases often involve serious injuries due to a lack of physical protection, and proving a claim usually requires demonstrating that the injury meets Michigan’s legal threshold for serious impairment affecting daily life.
Contact our law firm to help you manage insurance claims, gather evidence, and pursue full compensation.

Why Detroit Pedestrian Accident Victims Work With Kajy Law Firm

Kajy Law Firm focuses on motor vehicle accident claims involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles. That singular focus matters in pedestrian accident cases because these claims often involve severe injuries, complicated no-fault insurance questions, and aggressive insurance company tactics. Our attorneys understand how Michigan no-fault benefits apply when a pedestrian is struck, how insurers evaluate pain-and-suffering claims, and how to build strong cases.

Lawrence Kajy built our firm after seeing too many accident victims left frustrated by poor communication, little case activity, and settlements accepted simply to close files quickly. We take a different approach by committing more resources to every case.

Here is what sets our approach apart:

A team built for serious cases: Kajy Law Firm has 10 attorneys and more than 35 legal professionals working exclusively on car, truck, and motorcycle accident claims. Every member of our team works within the same injury framework every day, which means pedestrian accident clients receive focused attention rather than a generalist approach.
A track record that reflects consistent case development: Our firm has a 98% success rate across thousands of Michigan accident cases and has recovered over $100 million for injured clients. Results may vary. Prior case outcomes do not guarantee similar results.
No upfront cost to pursue your claim: Kajy Law Firm handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, which means financial pressure does not prevent you from pursuing a legitimate claim.
Free consultations with flexible meeting options: Initial case reviews are free, and our team can meet you at home, in the hospital, or wherever is most convenient if you are injured or recovering.
Active case management from the first contact: We handle insurance communication, evidence preservation, and medical documentation from the moment we take your case. Early involvement is where our work matters most in pedestrian accident claims.

Pedestrian accident injuries can change daily life immediately, especially when walking, working, or routine movement becomes painful or impossible. Our practice focuses on helping you pursue compensation that reflects the full extent of what the accident has taken from you. Speak with our Detroit pedestrian accident attorneys today to learn your available options.

What Compensation Can a Detroit Pedestrian Accident Victim Pursue?

Pedestrian accident victims in Michigan may have access to two separate categories of compensation after a crash. The first category involves Michigan no-fault benefits, while the second involves a separate claim against the driver who caused the crash.

Michigan No-Fault PIP Benefits

Michigan no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits may cover medical treatment related to the accident, a portion of lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working, replacement services for household tasks you can no longer perform, and attendant care if ongoing assistance becomes necessary.

These benefits are legally available regardless of who caused the accident, although the source of coverage depends on the specific insurance priority rules that apply to pedestrian claims.

Third-Party Pain and Suffering Claims

Separate from no-fault benefits, injured pedestrians may also pursue a third-party claim directly against the at-fault driver and their insurance company. This type of claim allows recovery for pain and suffering, emotional distress, excess wage loss, and other long-term losses not covered by PIP benefits.

Under Michigan law, these claims generally require proof that the injuries caused a “serious impairment of body function” or otherwise meet the legal threshold established by state law.

Under MCL 500.3135, the injury must:

Be objectively manifested: This means the impairment is observable or medically identifiable through actual symptoms or conditions, not based just on subjective complaints of pain.
Affect an important body function: The impaired function must have real value or significance in the person’s life, such as walking, lifting, working, concentrating, or using a limb normally.
Affect the person’s general ability to lead their normal life: Courts consider how the injury changed the person’s daily activities, work ability, mobility, independence, and overall routine compared to life before the accident.

Pedestrian accident injuries frequently meet Michigan’s legal injury threshold because pedestrians have little physical protection during impact. We assess the long-term impact of these injuries to properly value your personal injury claim. Contact us today to find out what your case may be worth.

Types of Pedestrian Accidents in Detroit

Detroit pedestrian accident claims can arise from crosswalk collisions, parking lot strikes, school zone crashes, distracted driving incidents, and commercial vehicle accidents. Each type presents different liability questions and insurance considerations. Kajy Law Firm handles all of these claim types and evaluates each based on the specific facts of the crash.

Here are common forms that we handle in Detroit, Michigan:

Crosswalk and intersection accidents: These are among the most common pedestrian crashes. They mostly happen when a driver fails to yield while turning, runs a red light, or misjudges the timing of a crossing pedestrian. Even at lower speeds, these impacts can cause serious injuries.
Parking lot accidents: Parking lots in retail and commercial areas can be high-risk environments due to frequent backing up, tight driving lanes, and limited visibility. Pedestrians are often struck by vehicles reversing out of spaces or moving through congested traffic areas.
School zone and residential street accidents: These accidents often involve lower speed limits but still result in significant harm. Drivers may fail to slow down, stop for crossing pedestrians, or notice children and individuals crossing between parked cars.
Distracted driving-related pedestrian crashes: Drivers distracted by phones, navigation systems, or in-vehicle controls may fail to notice a pedestrian until it is too late. These crashes are preventable, and the distracted driver bears responsibility for the harm caused.
Commercial vehicle pedestrian accidents: Delivery vans, rideshare vehicles, and service trucks operating in Detroit also contribute to pedestrian crashes. These cases often involve additional insurance coverage layers and more complex liability questions due to business use of the vehicle.

Each type of pedestrian accident presents different challenges when it comes to proving fault and securing compensation, especially when insurance companies begin reviewing the case shortly after the incident. Let our lawyers evaluate your case type and determine what evidence may support it.

How Do Insurance Companies Handle Pedestrian Accident Claims?

Insurance companies move quickly after a pedestrian accident, and not in your favor. In most cases, the at-fault driver’s insurer begins building a defense within hours of the crash, sometimes before you even complete an initial medical evaluation.

Adjusters may reach out to you shortly after the accident and ask you to record a statement or give out details about how you feel physically. These conversations may seem routine, but insurers often use early statements to question injury severity, shift blame, or minimize the long-term impact of the crash. Note that even a simple comment like “I think I’m okay” can later be used to challenge your claim.

Pedestrian accident cases also receive intense scrutiny because injuries are frequently severe. The higher the potential financial exposure, the more aggressively insurance companies tend to dispute liability, medical treatment, or the connection between the accident and the injuries claimed. It is recommended to work with our pedestrian accident lawyer to help protect your claim.

In many cases, insurers look for ways to argue that the pedestrian was distracted, outside a crosswalk, not visible enough, or partially responsible for the collision. They are now seeking to apply Michigan’s comparative fault rules, which can affect your final compensation if the insurance company successfully shifts part of the blame onto you.

From the moment we take on your case, Kajy Law Firm handles all communication with insurance companies. This protects you from being pressured into statements or settlement discussions before the full medical picture is established. Our aim is to preserve leverage and ensure the case is evaluated on solid evidence.

Do not engage deeply with the insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Call 248-702-6641 first for guidance on dealing with defendants.

What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Detroit?

After a pedestrian accident in Detroit, consider focusing on medical care, evidence preservation, and early legal contact. These steps protect your health and strengthen your claim before insurers begin their review. Consider the following priorities in the days after the crash:

Continue with medical treatment

Ongoing medical care is one of the most important parts of your recovery and your claim. Follow-up visits, imaging, therapy, and specialist care create a consistent medical record that connects your injuries directly to the crash. This documentation also helps show how your condition develops over time, not just immediately after the accident.

Document everything you can

If possible, preserve evidence from the scene. Photos of the vehicle, your injuries, surrounding traffic conditions, and road layout can help clarify how the crash occurred. Witness names and contact information are also valuable because memories fade quickly, and people often leave the scene soon after an accident.

Report the accident

A police report offers an official record of the crash, including the driver’s information, location, and initial observations. This report often becomes an important reference point during the insurance review process.

Also, inform the insurance companies about the crash. However, limit your interactions with them because these conversations can be used later to challenge your case. It is safer to direct all communication through an attorney before giving any recorded statement.

Contact Kajy Law Firm

Early involvement helps protect key evidence, manage insurance communication, and position your claim correctly from the start. The sooner your case is reviewed, the better the chances of avoiding gaps in documentation or premature settlement pressure. Contact us at 248-702-6641 for a free consultation.

Pedestrian Accident Claims Questions Answered By Our Detroit Attorneys

Do I need auto insurance to receive no-fault benefits after being hit by a car in Michigan?

You don't have to have auto insurance to receive no-fault benefits. Michigan's no-fault system extends PIP benefits to pedestrians even if you don't own a car or carry auto insurance. Benefits are usually paid by the insurer of the vehicle that struck you, or through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP) if no other coverage applies. You do not need a vehicle or a policy of your own to qualify.

What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?

If the driver who hit you was uninsured, compensation may still be available through your own uninsured motorist coverage or the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan. The right path depends on the insurance policies involved in your specific case. Call 248-702-6641 for a free case review so we can identify all available sources of recovery.

How much time do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Detroit, Michigan?

The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver is three years from the date of the accident. PIP benefit claims carry a separate one-year deadline. If a government vehicle or road defect was involved, a shorter notice period may apply. Confirm your specific deadline with our attorneys, as the one-year rule operates on a per-expense basis, and exceptions may apply.

Can I file a claim for a car accident in Detroit, Michigan, without a police report?

A police report is not legally required to file a claim, but its absence gives the at-fault driver's insurer more room to dispute how the crash occurred, question your injuries, or challenge liability. Without one, you need strong substitute evidence, such as witness statements, photos, and medical records, to fill the evidentiary gap.

Talk to a Detroit Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a family member was struck by a car or truck in Detroit or anywhere in Michigan, Kajy Law Firm is ready to help. We handle only motor vehicle accident cases and know how to challenge insurers that delay, deny, or underpay legitimate claims. Call 248-702-6641 for a free case review. You pay no fee unless we win.