For those living in and around Grand Rapids, US-131 is an almost unavoidable travel route, whether you are simply driving around town or taking a trip to the Upper Peninsula or south into Indiana and the surrounding states. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most dangerous roads in Michigan. The intersection with Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids is especially dangerous, but car accidents are common across the entire highway. If you or your loved one was involved in a vehicle collision, an experienced attorney can help you bring a personal injury claim against any at-fault parties for your damages.

Recent Accidents Serve as a Sobering Example

In recent weeks, multiple accidents just south of Grand Rapids brought to light just how dangerous US-131 can be for all motorists on that road. The events, which took place in Allegan County, started when a pedestrian was struck by a semi-truck after leaving his vehicle. As traffic backed up due to the accident, two more collisions occurred, involving multiple large trucks and passenger vehicles. In total, three people died in these accidents, and several others were injured.

Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding fatal collisions in winter weather conditions, Michigan was rated as the most dangerous state for winter driving in 2019. During the three-year time period of the data collection, there were 49 average annual fatalities in Michigan due to winter vehicle accidents, which is 19 more than the next highest state. With injury risks this high, it is crucial that you understand how to protect yourself from winter car crashes, as well as what to do if you or a loved one is injured.

Winter Driving Safety Tips in Michigan

With the proper safety precautions, you may be able to avoid winter car accidents entirely. The Michigan State Department offers several helpful suggestions for safe winter driving, including:

A motor vehicle crash can happen in an instant and usually when you least expect it. However, its consequences can be long-lasting depending on the severity of the collision. If you are injured in a car accident in Michigan, the state’s laws provide you with an added layer of protection that many other states do not. This protection comes in the form of no-fault insurance, a mandatory policy included with the required car insurance coverage for all Michigan drivers. However, recent changes to the no-fault insurance law may create complications for vehicle collision victims and increase the need to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

What Is Michigan No-Fault Car Insurance? 

In Michigan, no-fault car insurance is required Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage included in a driver’s own car insurance policy. When a driver is injured in an automobile accident, PIP coverage will pay for many of the driver’s economic damages, regardless of who is at fault for the crash. Specifically, a PIP policy covers:

Many personal injury claims filed following a car accident are based on negligence. If a driver is negligent, that means that he or she failed to exercise reasonable care toward other people on the roadways when operating their vehicle.

Proving negligence requires you to establish these four elements:

• Duty – All motorists have a legal duty to other drivers and parties on the roadways to operate their vehicles in accordance with the law act responsibly behind the wheel.
• Breach of duty – When a driver fails to adhere to traffic laws or drives recklessly, he or she has breached the duty owed to others.
• Causation – The driver’s negligence must have directly and proximately caused the accident and the victim’s injuries and damages.
• Damages – The victim must have suffered injuries and damages as a result of the accident

Common Forms of Driver Negligence

If you have been in a car accident that you did not cause, it is likely that the other driver broke one or more traffic laws. Some of the most common forms of driver negligence include: