With another Michigan winter underway, Grand Rapids auto accident attorneys want to make West Michigan area drivers aware of auto crash statistics when driving on high crash roads in Kent County. West Michigan is always one of the first places in the state to get heavy snow, especially with the dramatic lake effect. The Michigan State Police recently published 2008 data for Michigan’s top 100 high-crash roads and number five on that list wasAlpine Ave between 4 Mile Road and Henze Drive. Based on this new data, the Grand Rapids lawyers of Michigan Auto Law have consolidated the list of Michigan’s high crash roads to identify the Grand Rapids area top ten high crash roads based on the number of car crashes reported to police in Kent County:
1.Alpine Ave. NW between 4 MILE Road NW AND HENZE Dr. NW
Alpine Township, 54 crashes
2.28th St. SE between Eastern Ave. SE and Brooklyn Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, 38 crashes
3.E Beltline Ave. NE between Bradford St. NE and Leonard St. NE
Grand Rapids, 37 crashes
4.Alpine Ave. NW between Center Dr. NW and Coventry Dr. NW
Walker, 37 crashes
5.28th St. SE between Kalamazoo Ave. SE and Chamberlain Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, 36 crashes
6.28th St. SE between Breton Road SE and Woodlawn Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, 35 crashes
7.28th St. SE between Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE and East Paris Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, 35 crashes
8.East Beltline Ave. SE between 28th St. SE and Mall Dr. SE
Grand Rapids, 34 crashes
9.Alpine Ave. NW between Coventry Dr. NW and Old Orchard Dr. NW
Walker, 33 crashes
10.Alpine Ave. NW between N Center Dr. NW and Kingsbury St. NW
Walker, 32 crashes
Source: Michigan State Police Data
When reviewing the top ten high crash roads listed above, keep in mind the sheer volume of crashes doesn’t always tell the whole story. There are many risk factors that contribute to car crashes on each road in Kent County. For example, a road can have a high number of crashes, yet all of them could be vehicle damage with no injuries. Another road though with a small number of crashes could have severe personal injuries, another indicator of how dangerous the stretch of road can truly be.
Highlights of Grand Rapids Crash Statistics
Michigan State Police data shows that 72% of the 316,057 crashes statewide in 2008 happened on road segments. The remainder, 88,809, occurred at intersections.
The Grand Rapids lawyers of Michigan Auto Law have compared 2008 traffic crash facts for Kent County to 2007 and are happy to report a decline in both fatal crashes (-17%) and those producing injury (-10%). When reviewing the types of roads where crashes occurred, the number of Interstate and US Route crashes increased slightly while state and local street crashes dropped slightly.
For further statewide statistics and reported traffic crashes by county, visit the 2008 Michigan Traffic Crash Facts website.
How to Protect Yourself
Now that you are aware of the high crash roads throughout Grand Rapids and Kent County, exercise more caution than usual when driving around these areas. Stay alert, follow traffic signals and maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front. Exercise extreme caution while driving on Michigan’s fifth highest crash road – Alpine Avenue.
With so many auto accidents happening in and around Grand Rapids and with Michigan's notorious no-fault law stipulations and time limits to file accident cases, it's wise to follow an accident scene checklist in case you find yourself or a loved one in a car accident situation. Actions you should take include staying calm and assisting injured passengers, documenting ALL injuries, and writing down as much detailed information as possible such as license plates, location, weather factors, and witnesses.
You can find out more onlocalGrand Rapids auto accident resources, legal advice and Michigan insurance companies by visiting the Grand Rapids Attorney Auto Accident Resource Center .
