Throughout Michigan, thousands of people are involved in car accidents every day. Despite stricter laws and more patrols, car crashes still happen with distracted driving and driving while intoxicated remaining leading causes for crashes.
Grand Rapids is no exception. Car accidents happen throughout the city regularly. According to City-Data.com, during 2014 there were 9 fatal accidents in Grand Rapids with 11 vehicles involved and 15 deaths.
The previous year, which was 2013, there were six fatal crashes involving eight cars and seven deaths.
Car crashes result in a variety of damages and have a serious economic impact on the community and state. Various damages can result from a car accident.
Usually, these damages include property damages, medical expenses, lost wages, future loss of earnings, permanent scarring, and future medical expenses.
You can recoup compensation for these damages by filing a personal injury claim.
Dangerous Roads in Grand Rapids
Even the safest driver can be involved in a car crash. While accidents happen on all roads, some roads are more prone to crashes. Road design, the speed of vehicles, and traffic volume all come into play and can impact the number of crashes that occur on any road at any time.
Some roads in Grand Rapids have a much higher crash rate. Here are a few of the more dangerous roads in Grand Rapids.
-
Alpine Ave. NW - Alpine Avenue is heavily traveled. During 2008, the section of road between 4 Mile Road NW and Henze Drive NW had 54 crashes reported during a single year.
-
28th Street SE - Another busy Grand Rapids street, 28th Street SE between Eastern Avenue SE and Brooklyn Avenue SE saw 38 crashes during 2008.
-
East Beltine Avenue - East Beltline Avenue SE between Bradford Street SE and Leonard Street NE was the site of 37 crashes in one year.
What to Do After a Crash in Grand Rapids
If you have been in an accident, it is normally to be shaken. You should try to stay calm and do everything you can to preserve the evidence to support your claim. Here are a few tips on how to proceed after a car accident in Grand Rapids, MI.
- Always stay on the accident scene and wait for the police to come and complete a report. You need a report even if you think the crash is insignificant.
- Take photos of the crash scene, the damage to the vehicles, and any visible injuries. You can use a smartphone to do this.
- Exchange insurance details and contact information with the other driver.
- Get the names and contact details of any witnesses. Ask them to provide written statements.
- Go to the nearest emergency room and get checked by a medical professional.
- Keep all the documentation to support your claim.
Grand Rapids Hospitals
If you have been in a car crash in Grand Rapids, you should be thoroughly examined by a medical professional. Some injuries might not be evident right away. You might think an injury is relatively minor, but it could be much more serious than you imagine.
Always make sure you get a physical after a crash so any injuries can be promptly addressed. Here are some hospitals around Grand Rapids.
-
Mercy Health Saint Mary's Campus
200 Jefferson Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 -
Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital
1840 Wealthy Street Southeast
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 -
Spectrum Health Butterworth
100 Michigan St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Grand Rapids Auto Body Repair
If you have been involved in a Grand Rapids car crash, your vehicle is most likely going to be in need of repairs. You should go to a qualified auto body repair shop to get written estimates for having your car fixed.
Keep written estimates along with receipts for repairs, receipts for rental cars, and receipts for any towing to use for negotiating with the auto insurance company. Here are a few auto body repair shops and towing services in the area.
-
Auto Fixit Body Shop Inc.
805 Ottawa Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 -
Essex Body Shop
1447 Michigan St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 -
Westside Garage LLC
856 7th St. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 -
Pepino's Auto Service Company
1040 Division Ave. S
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
The Most Valuable Resource - A Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in a Grand Rapids auto accident, you will need all these resources. However, your most valuable resource will be a Grand Rapids auto accident injury attorney who can help you file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for the damages that you suffered after a car crash.
Your lawyer can determine which damages resulted from the crash and calculate the value of your personal injury claim. You don't have to worry about any up front expenses because your lawyer will not be paid until you either get a settlement or a judgment.
Schedule a free case evaluation today.
