Kalamazoo, MI (December 6, 2023) - A bicyclist was hit by a car Tuesday morning in downtown Kalamazoo, according to local authorities who responded to the scene.

The crash happened at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Rose Street around 4:50 a.m. The injured bicyclist told officers that he was riding on Rose Street when he was hit by the car. The man was taken to the hospital after the wreck but is expected to recover from his injuries, per officials who investigated the crash. The driver also appeared to stay on the scene to talk with police, though an investigation remains active and ongoing in the interim.

Our thoughts are with the injured man and his family. We hope for his full recovery.

Bicycle Accidents in Michigan

In the previous three years, there has been a disturbing increase in the number of bicyclists killed in traffic accidents in Michigan, according to newly disclosed crash statistics. There were 103 bike fatalities in Michigan between 2020 and 2022, a 64% increase over the prior three-year period.

From 2017 to 2019, there were a total of 63 deaths in accidents involving bicyclists throughout the state. By contrast, there were a total of 103 deaths involving bicyclists in the years 2020 to 2022 (38 in 2020, 29 in 2021, and 36 in 2022).

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) has given overtime funding to law enforcement agencies in many areas in an effort to reduce the number of bicycle-related injuries and deaths on Michigan highways.

That said, bicyclists in the state of Michigan still face the problem of drivers who are distracted or not paying attention. Common causes of bicycle accidents in our state include:

Drivers who disregard traffic signals or drive recklessly, such as by speeding.
Drivers who make turns without checking all areas of an intersection (usually turning right with a bicyclist on the right side or turning left at a crossroads).
Distractions for motorists, such as texting while driving, ignoring bike lanes, jumping the curb, and driving onto sidewalks, walkways, crosswalks, etc.

Crosswalks are, unfortunately, one of the most hazardous areas in the city for cyclists. This is due to the fact that drivers who fail to slow down or yield have a far higher chance of colliding with a bicycle in these junctures, which often results in severe injuries to the cyclists involved in these wrecks.

Thankfully, a skilled attorney who specializes in bicycle accidents in Michigan can research the facts surrounding your accident and identify who was at fault for the accident that has left you with serious injuries. After an accident, a seasoned attorney will investigate your case and assist you in compiling the relevant information you need to move forward with a claim. Through it all, your attorney will stop at nothing to obtain the financial compensation you need to cover your medical expenses and lost income.

Our team is prepared to defend your legal interests vigorously, inside or outside of court. Please get in touch with the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates if you or a member of your family has been hurt in a bicycle accident in the Detroit area. Our vehicle accident attorneys in Kalamazoo have years of experience and access to the resources required to build a compelling case on your side, and we are committed to defending your legal rights until the very end of the case. Please give our office a call at (248) 886-8650 as soon as possible so that we can book your first consultation.

Note: Our firm utilized outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified the facts regarding this accident. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates immediately so that we correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available about the accident. This post can be removed upon request.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. This post is not a solicitation for business.