Our client was critically injured in a Macomb County car accident. While travelling southbound on M53, another vehicle traveling northbound ran a red light and made a left hand turn directly in front of our client’s car. The collision caused our client to get struck by a second vehicle who was also southbound on M53.
The impact was so severe that none of the vehicles involved were drivable. The Macomb County Sheriff’s Department responded to the accident and gave the other driver a ticket citation.
Our client sustained a neck injury that resulted in a herniated disc. After a period of physical therapy and pain injections, our client underwent a neck surgery to stop the pain. The surgery was a neck fusion, with plates and other hardware implanted to stabilize the neck and vertebrae.
Our client has been unable to continue with many of his recreational activities, including hunting and fishing. He also needs assistance caring for his home and completing maintenance projects.
Why the Client Hired the Lee Steinberg Law Firm
The at-fault driver’s insurance company refused to step up and take responsibility. They tried to blame our client’s injuries and his need for surgery on pre-existing neck pain. The insurance company failed to appreciate what our client went through and the complete change the car crash had on his every day life.
Because of this, he decided to reach out to the Macomb County car accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm to get full compensation and justice for what happened.
Best Thing Lee Steinberg Law Firm Did For the Client
The personal injury lawyers and legal professionals at Lee Steinberg Law Firm took care of most of the work so the client and his family would focus on recovering and getting better. We made sure his medical bills got paid and lost wages were reimbursed by his auto insurance company.
They also maximized the value to increase the settlement amount to put the family on sound financial footing. This included meeting with treating doctors, getting favorable reports that the car crash did indeed lead to the need for surgery. They also sent photographs of the vehicle damage and other evidence to the insurance company.
A large demand package was then emailed to the insurance company. This package included all the pertinent medical records, expert reports, the police investigation and a detailed description of how the auto wreck completely changed our client’s life.
Head-On Collision and Distracted Driving
One of the most common causes of car and truck crashes in Michigan is distracted driving. More and more people are using their cell phones and smart phones while driving to perform more functions. This includes texting while driving, searching the Internet while driving, taking pictures while driving, and even using social media apps like Twitter, Snap and Instagram while driving a car.
Distracted driving can lead to catastrophic car crashes. This includes head-on collisions as a vehicle moves out of the lane and into oncoming traffic.
When people are distracted, they can also run red lights or ignore stop signs. Cars that have the right of way then become sitting ducks to the distracted drivers speeding through an intersection.
Michigan Distracted Driving Statistics
Distracted driving and head-on collisions continue to happen in Michigan. In fact, if anything they have only gotten worse with the proliferation of cell phone use and smart devices inside the car itself.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,142 vehicle fatalities related to distracted driving in 2020. This was actually a decrease from 2019 because of less traffic on the roads due to Covid. However, that number increased in 2021.
In Michigan, there were 16, 543 crashes involving distracted driving in 2021. Distracted driving fatalities increased 14% in 2021, from 52 in 2020 to 59 in 2021. August had the highest number of distracted driver crashes totaling 1,689 in that month alone. Macomb County had the third most distracted driving crashes (1,705), behind only Oakland and Wayne counties.
Interestingly, there were 6,943 total head-on crashes involving vehicles trying to make a left-hand turn in 2021. This is what injured out client in the above case.
Michigan Distracted Driving Laws
Michigan does have laws on the books that make distracted driving illegal. Unfortunately, these laws have done little to prevent head-on collisions and similar type of crashes. There are many things that can cause a distraction, but naturally cell phone use is the primary cause.
According to the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code:
- MCL 257.626 – A driver must operate a vehicle on a highway with regard for the safety of persons or property.
- MCL 257.614 – A driver shall stop at a flashing red light or slow down and proceed through an intersection with caution if there is a flashing yellow light
- MCL 257.647 – A driving must use due care when driving and keep a proper look out for other motorists while making a turn at an intersection.
- MCL 257.649 – A driver to obey to a stop signal and yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.
- MCL 257.634 and MCL 257.636 – Failing to overtake or pass a vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and at a safe distance.
- MCL 257.602b – Drivers cannot use a cell phone without it being hands-free.
Distracted Driving Prevention
There are many easy fixes to prevent distracted driving. These steps can be taken by both drivers and passengers to make our highways and roads more safe. Remember these safety tips when out on the roads:
- Put Down the Phone – if you need to talk, then make sure it is hands free. Don’t ever text and drive.
- Try to Avoid Other Activities While Driving – do not eat, drink or smoke while driving
- Avoid Multitasking – just concentrate on driving. Whatever else can wait until you get to your destination.
- Lower the Radio Volume – whether you are listening to the radio, music, or a podcast, lower the volume. It is important to be able to hear what is going on, not just see.
- Don’t Take Your Eyes Off the Road – make sure to keep your eyes on the road, not on something else.
- Figure out the GPS or Navigation System Before Driving – if you need to use a GPS or navigation app like Google Maps or Waze when driving, put in the address before you start driving. This is becoming a major form of distracted driving.
Our Macomb Car Accident Injury Lawyers Can Handle Your Case
If you are injured in a head-on collision or a crash due to distracted driving, our team of experienced auto accident lawyers can assist you. At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we care about our clients and allow them to focus on getting better. We aggressively take on the insurance companies and their lawyers so our clients get the money they deserve.
We have helped out clients receive hundreds of millions over the years. Give us a call at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733).
