Key Points of This Article:
- There were 245,432 total traffic crashes last year in Michigan. Overall, Michigan communities with more than 5,000 total crashes for 2020 include populated counties like Genesee, Ingham, Oakland, and Wayne.
- The good news is that the overall number of crashes fell in 2020 when about 18% fewer people were on the road due to the pandemic.
- The bad news is that more than 1,000 people died in traffic accidents in Michigan in 2020, the highest number since 2007.
- Road safety officials say Michigan motorists more often engaged in risky behaviors in 2020, likely impacted by drugs or alcohol impairment, cell phone distractions, lack of seat belt usage, sped significantly more, and operated their motor vehicles with less concern for pedestrian safety.
2020 Crash Statistics All Michigan Drivers Should Know
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, 1,083 people died in state traffic crashes in 2020, up about 10% from 2019. The rise came even though there were about 18% fewer people on the road, mainly because of COVID-19 restrictions that kept people home, working remotely, and traveling less.
At Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we work hard to provide a first-hand look at the latest trends that help drivers across Michigan stay more informed about their crash risks. Using the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts database, our attorneys have outlined the most recent findings released for 2020.
A closer analysis of state data released on June 16, 2021, shows:
- Total Crashes: 245,432
- Fatal Crashes: 1,010
- Fatalities: 1,083
- Injury Crashes: 44,417
- Injuries: 60,986
- Total Motor Vehicles Involved in Crashes: 404,286
- Total Units Involved in Crashes: 407,340
- Total People Involved in Crashes: 480,400
- Pedestrians Involved in Crashes: 1,784
- Pedestrian Fatalities: 175
- Bicyclists Involved in Crashes: 1,235
- Bicyclist Fatalities: 38
- Motorcyclists Involved in Crashes: 3,375
- Motorcyclist Fatalities: 152
- Alcohol-Involved Crashes: 9,078
- Alcohol-Involved Fatal Crashes: 303
- Alcohol-Involved Fatalities: 326
- Drug-Involved Crashes: 3,040
- Drug-Involved Fatal Crashes: 250
- Drug-Involved Fatalities: 267
Property
- Property Damage Only Crashes: 200,005
7,118,197 licensed drivers were operating on Michigan roads last year, and over 9 million vehicles had registered. There were 245,432 crashes last year, a reduction of around 20% from the year before and the lowest level since at least 2010, according to MDOT.
Populated Michigan Counties with More Than 5K Reported Crashes in 2020
There were 245,432 total traffic crashes last year in Michigan. More than 1,000 people died in traffic accidents in Michigan in 2020, the highest number since 2007, when 1,084 people died. Overall, populated Michigan communities with more than 5,000 total crashes for 2020 included:
- Genesee County (Burton, Clio, Davison, Fenton, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, Linden, Montrose, Mount Morris, Swartz Creek): 9,031 crashes
- Ingham County (East Lansing, Lansing, Leslie, Mason, Williamston): 6,927 crashes
- Kalamazoo County (Galesburg, Kalamazoo, Parchment, Portage): 6,933 crashes
- Kent County (Cedar Springs, East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Lowell, Rockford, Walker, Wyoming): 17,056 crashes
- Macomb County (Center Line, Eastpoint/East Detroit, Grosse Pointe Shores, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Warren): 17,796 crashes
- Oakland County (Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Farmington, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Pontiac, Rochester, Southfield, Troy): 26,316 crashes
- Ottawa County (Coopersville, Grand Haven, Holland, Hudsonville, Zeeland): 6,439 crashes
- Wayne County (Allen Park, Dearborn, Detroit, Grosse Point communities, Highland Park, Lincoln Park, Plymouth, Southgate, Trenton, Woodhaven): 44,017 crashes
- Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Milan, Saline, Ypsilanti): 7,164 crashes
MDOT will release individual county profiles and enhanced crash density maps in mid-July 2021. Please stay connected with our blog and social networks for the latest on that information as it is published.
Despite Fewer Accidents, Speed-Related Crash Fatalities Raise Ongoing Concerns
In a May 26, 2021 press release, Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, said, “Even though there was a dramatic drop in traffic crashes and injuries during 2020, there was an unfortunate surge in fatalities.” Prince also said the new trend in fatalities could indicate a rise in crash “severity,” which may indicate reductions in seat belt use, increases in impaired drivers, and alarming reports of speeding motorists.
- Average speeds rose significantly on urban and rural roads during 2020.
- Since the pandemic began, Michiganders have increased their average speed by 25%.
- Police in major urban areas including Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, Saginaw/Bay City/Midland, and Battle Creek report a tremendous increase of drivers caught speeding more than double the posted limits.
Michigan’s earliest crash reports mimicked what national agencies released in early spring. Across the country, the Federal Highway Administration estimates 2020 traffic fell about 13.2%, yet traffic-related deaths rose about 8% nationally.
It’s Not Too Late to Seek Legal Counsel
We understand that proving another driver’s negligence can feel like a lot of work. It’s always in your best interest to meet with an attorney before discussing your settlement, making a deal, or accepting a meeting with an insurance adjuster or another person’s legal team. If you are beyond that point, an attorney can still be useful. This is especially true when Michigan car insurance carriers aggressively deny a claim and refuse to pay Michigan No-Fault benefits by alleging fraud or material misrepresentation.
At Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we have the required expertise in leading crash investigations, gathering accident evidence, working with demanding insurance companies, interviewing witnesses, and remain highly successful in holding chaotic and negligent drivers accountable for their poor actions.
Were You Recently Injured in a Michigan Car Accident?
If you were injured in a car, truck, or pedestrian accident in 2020 or more recently, the Michigan car accident attorneys at Lee Steinberg Law Firm are prepared to help. We have represented auto accident victims, motorcycle accident victims, and pedestrians injured by drivers for over 40 years. Please call to speak to one of our experienced Michigan personal injury attorneys at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) as soon as you are ready. And remember, you pay nothing until we settle your case.
Also read: Detroit Hit-and-Run Car Accidents, What to Do Next
