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Last Modified on Nov 21, 2025
Helping drivers understand Pontiac, MI, car accident statistics, as well as how and where serious collisions occur throughout Oakland County, is important. M-59, Woodward Avenue, and Perry Street all experience heavier traffic and, as a result, more accidents, which can include multi-car or pedestrian/bicycle crashes.
By reviewing this data, you can pinpoint high-risk zones and common factors, like speeding, distracted driving, and lighting issues. Injured drivers or passengers who have questions about how Michigan’s no-fault laws may apply to their case can also speak with an attorney about navigating the insurance claims process and whether further action may be needed.
Hire a Car Accident Attorney
In our work with clients, the team at Wigod & Falzon reviews statewide and local crash trends to better understand how accidents impact people throughout Pontiac. After decades of combined experience in Michigan personal injury law, we hone our practice on preparing claims supported by documented data, medical records, and insurance information.
We carefully study Pontiac, MI, car accident statistics to identify potential risk factors, common causes of crashes, and anticipate insurer tactics. This research helps us guide clients through Michigan’s no-fault system with precision. If you’ve been hurt in a Pontiac crash, reach out to a skilled car accident attorney at Wigod & Falzon to discuss your options.
Michigan 2024 Crash Trends and What They Signify
Michigan’s reported traffic crashes in 2024 increased slightly to 288,880 from the previous year, while traffic fatalities rose to 1,099 in 2024. People injured in Pontiac area car accidents should take note of statistics like these and prioritize documenting their crash as soon as possible and working with experienced professionals who know how numbers correlate with insurance response and fault considerations.
It can be helpful to know you are part of a larger pattern when it comes to understanding why records and timing are so important.
Increased Patrols Aim to Reduce Pedestrian Crashes in Pontiac
After a recent uptick in pedestrian crashes, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols in Pontiac. CBS News Detroit reports that deputies will be increasing visibility on Baldwin Avenue, Auburn Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and Huron Street, all Pontiac roads that have seen multiple hit-and-runs causing serious injuries and deaths.
The records indicate that there were 70 pedestrian-vehicle collisions from January 2023 through September 2025.
These crashes have resulted in seven deaths and 19 critical injuries. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has issued citations for speeding and failure to yield moving violations during their focus on the corridors with the highest pedestrian traffic.
The sheriff’s office has indicated it would like to ensure driver safety on the roads, particularly when pedestrians are involved. The enhanced enforcement will continue, according to the sheriff’s office.
Understanding Liability and Legal Options After a Pontiac Pedestrian Crash
In Pontiac, liability in pedestrian accidents is often assessed using both state statutes and local enforcement findings. Under MCL 500.3135, a pedestrian injured in an accident may be able to seek recovery for pain and suffering if they satisfy Michigan’s “serious impairment of body function” threshold.
A driver who does not yield or follow traffic signals as per MCL 257.612 may be held legally liable for injuries caused. Police reports, traffic camera footage, and medical documentation form the core evidence in such cases. Accurate documentation and prompt legal advice can help ensure negligence and causation are clearly established for compensation purposes.
Link Between Urban Design and Pedestrian Risk in Pontiac
Pontiac’s downtown features commercial, residential, and bus transit corridors, all within the city’s downtown core, where blocks are shorter than they are in suburban areas. Sidewalks in this area are narrow, with poorly aligned lighting and signage that can make it difficult for drivers and pedestrians to see each other.
At night, drivers’ visibility of pedestrians decreases even further. Repeat collisions in the same area indicate an environmental factor rather than singular mistakes by drivers. Making changes to urban design, such as the addition of longer walk times, reflective signage, and curb extensions, can reduce the chances of a collision.
A combination of traffic data and an analysis of local infrastructure will provide local policymakers with insight into the areas that would most benefit from improved street design for pedestrians and motorists.
FAQs
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Claim in Michigan?
Typically, a person injured in a Pontiac car accident has three years from the date of the accident to file a claim for personal injuries under MCL 600.5805(2).
Benefits for medical care or lost wages may be available under a motorist’s no-fault insurance, but reimbursement must usually be sought within one year of the crash. It is a good idea to start the process early. Insurance companies delay, and evidence can be lost, which weakens a potential claim.
How Does Michigan’s No-Fault System Work for Pontiac Residents?
Michigan No-Fault Act, MCL 500.3101, requires every motorist to maintain no-fault insurance to cover medical bills, lost income, and other damages after an accident. For residents of Pontiac, the first source of benefits is the individual’s own insurance policy.
Uninsured motorists can receive benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan. For an injured person to file a separate claim against the at-fault driver, their injuries must meet Michigan’s legal definition of “serious impairment of body function.”
What Type of Evidence Can Help in a Pontiac Car Accident Case?
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office in Pontiac may prepare a police report for a crash, which can identify a cause and list any citations the police officer issues. An insurance claimant can also prepare a private accident report to record the names and contact information for witnesses, and to preserve any videos that document a collision.
Photos of the damage to the vehicles involved, and of an injury, can help an accident victim to prove his or her claim.
Can Poor Road Conditions in Pontiac Affect Fault Determination?
Michigan’s governmental highway exception to sovereign immunity is MCL 691.1402. It says public agencies are responsible for keeping the highways they maintain in reasonable repair. Dangerous roadway conditions in Pontiac, like potholes, missing or obscured traffic signs, or defective traffic lights, can cause or contribute to a motor vehicle accident.
In those circumstances, the injured party might have a secondary claim against a governmental entity. Highway accident cases are subject to shorter filing deadlines and more onerous notice requirements.
Contact a Pontiac Car Accident Attorney
Pedestrian crashes in Pontiac can have long-term effects, from medical expenses to complex insurance claims. Wigod & Falzon assists injured individuals in understanding their legal rights and pursuing fair compensation under Michigan law.
Call today to schedule a consultation and hire a Pontiac car accident attorney who can fight for your recovery.
