Lots of Highway Construction Coming to Metro-Detroit

It is officially that time of year once again: road work season. The Detroit Free Press reported that the state of Michigan plans to spend around $422 million on road repairs in the Metro Detroit area. The lengthiest of these projects is the 14-year reconstruction of I-75 and I-275. This work, although stressful for drivers, will make for nicer roadways in the long run. Other, less significant, projects include  the reconstruction of the retaining wall between Meyers and McNichols on the Lodge Freeway in Detroit, replacements to the Trumbull bridge over I-94 in Detroit, reconstruction of Van Dyke in Warren and Sterling Heights, and the resurfacing and reconstruction of Lapeer Road in Auburn Hills and Orion Township. All of these projects cost tens of millions of dollars each, with finish dates ranging from this coming summer until the end of this year.

Detroit Construction Accident Lawyer

With so many projects going on this summer, it is very important for drivers to be on the lookout for construction workers, not only for their safety, but for the drivers' safety as well. Road work conditions are often far less safer than regular driving conditions, as there may be steep drop offs or two way traffic in areas that do not normally have it. Almost all traffic fines are doubled in work zones, so choosing not to slow down could really cost drivers. It is very unwise and unsafe to speed in construction zones. It is very easy to injure or kill a construction worker due to lack of attention or drunk driving as well.

Drivers need to pay extra attention to the road and their surroundings when driving in construction zones. This attention can be the difference between a safe trip through the zone, and a huge fine, or worse, the death of a construction worker.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident, call The Michigan Law Firm PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in handling all types of motor vehicle accidents, including those occurring in construction zones. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Detroit Ranks 15th For Worst Traffic

Detroit, Michigan may not be the bustling metropolis that it once was, but it sure seems like it during early morning and afternoon commutes. A recent study by Xfinity showed that Detroit ranked 15th overall when looking at cities with the worst traffic. The study showed that Detroiters spend an average of 33 hours in traffic every year, which equates to almost a day and a half of lost time. This study also approximated that the average Detroit citizen wastes 24 gallons of gasoline, enough for two full tanks in some vehicles, annually. The site also approximated that spending so much time in traffic cost each Detroiter almost $800 per year, just due to traffic conditions on Detroit roads.

Detroit Car Accident Lawyer

There are many issues that cause Detroit’s traffic problems, but there is not much Detroiters can do to avoid this traffic. Many Detroiters work outside of Detroit and many people working in Detroit do not live in Detroit, which makes driving inevitable. Many of these drivers are going to the same area, such as suburbs as the Birmingham/Bloomfield/Troy area, Plymouth/Canton/Northville/Novi area, or the Ann Arbor area, causing traffic buildups on the few highways that service those cities. There are public transportation projects in the works, such as the newly named QLINE or the expanded bus routes the city of Detroit is providing, but for the time being, there is no solution to curb this traffic issue.

When driving in traffic, drivers need to remember to always pay attention to the road. Fender benders often occur due to a lack of attention and a lack of stopping distance, in speedy stop and go traffic buildups. It is very easy to allow for such small stopping distances because of such slow speed, but if a driver takes even a second to be distracted this can cause damage to their own vehicle and vehicles around them. It is very important to ensure that drivers are always paying attention when driving in traffic, keep a large enough stopping distance, and do not put their car into neutral or park when stopped. These three suggestions may be the difference between a safe ride home and a couple hundred dollars in fender bender repairs and possibly hospital bills.

If you or someone you know has been in a traffic related accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys help victims of car crashes identify and receive any benefits they may be entitled to, under Michigan law. Our attorneys are highly experienced in handling all types of motor vehicle collisions. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a  free consultation.