Alyssa's Pedestrian Accident Story: Struck in a Birmingham, Michigan, Crosswalk
Eight weeks after surgery, Alyssa left a follow-up appointment in Birmingham, Michigan, relieved to have been cleared by her doctor. As she stepped into a marked crosswalk, a car turning left struck her.
The impact threw her into the air before she landed on the road. When she looked down, she saw that the side of her leg had been torn open all the way to the muscle.
“I just remember looking down, and my whole leg was open – down to the muscle.”
The accident left Alyssa with a permanent scar and questions about her recovery, medical expenses, and future.
Alyssa's Pedestrian Accident Case: At a Glance
| Location | Birmingham, Michigan (Oakland County) |
| Incident | Struck by a left-turning vehicle while crossing in a marked crosswalk |
| Injury | Deep leg laceration and permanent scarring |
| Legal Support | Accident investigation, insurance communications, and assistance with medical bills |
| Outcome | Settlement reached nine months after the accident |
Why Alyssa Initially Didn't Want to Hire a Lawyer
In the days after the accident, Alyssa struggled to process what had happened. Friends and family encouraged her to speak with a lawyer, but she repeatedly said no.
She thought of herself as someone who did not sue other people. She understood that people make mistakes, and she did not want to harm someone else because of one.
“I kept thinking, ‘I’m not the type of person who sues other people.’”
At first, Alyssa focused on how much worse the accident could have been. She had survived without broken bones or internal injuries. It took several days before she could think beyond that immediate relief.
As the shock wore off, however, she began thinking about the lasting effects of the accident. The scar would remain, complications were possible, and she might someday want plastic surgery.
She also thought about the ambulance ride, the trauma center, the emergency room tests, and the medical bills that could follow.
Alyssa still wasn’t looking for a lawsuit. She wanted to understand her options and protect herself from financial and medical consequences she could not yet predict.
How a Personal Call From Attorney Robert Lantzy Earned Alyssa's Trust
Alyssa had serious reservations about contacting a personal injury law firm. She worried that the process might last years without producing any meaningful result. She also didn’t want to retell her experience to a stranger.
An attorney friend encouraged her to speak with someone, even if only to learn whether she needed legal help. The friend referred her to Buckfire Law, and Alyssa left a message for attorney Robert J. (Bob) Lantzy and waited for a response.
Robert returned her call at eight o’clock that evening. Alyssa was surprised that he called personally rather than having a staff member contact her.
What stood out was how he spoke to her. She described him as down-to-earth, easy to talk to, appropriately empathetic, and reassuring. He explained that the firm would handle the process and that she wouldn’t have to manage everything herself.
Once she learned she wouldn’t have to pay upfront, another major concern disappeared. She didn’t contact any other law firms.
“It just felt like a relief to have somebody say, ‘Yeah, we’ve got this. You don’t have to do anything else.’”
Investigating the Crosswalk Accident
Shortly after their first conversation, Robert drove to the accident scene and video-called Alyssa from the crosswalk. He walked the route she had taken and asked her to explain the vehicles’ directions and describe exactly what had happened.
When attempts to obtain surveillance footage from a nearby building were unsuccessful, Robert went there personally. He later met the doctor outside normal office hours to collect the video.
During mediation, members of the Buckfire Law team stopped to speak with Alyssa while she waited. She described the team as welcoming, personable, professional, and supportive.
“That was above and beyond. He didn’t need to do that.”
A Pedestrian Accident Settlement in 9 Months, Not Years
Alyssa had been told that her case could take several years. Instead, it settled just nine months after the accident.
Throughout the process, Robert contacted her with updates. The firm sent documents for electronic signatures, answered her questions quickly, communicated with insurance companies, and handled the work behind the scenes.
Alyssa remained involved in important decisions, but she didn’t have to manage the details that would have felt overwhelming. The experience of being involved in a lawsuit was far easier than she had anticipated.
“They took care of everything.”
How Legal Support Helped Alyssa Focus on Healing
After the accident, Alyssa needed time to feel safe again. She didn’t want to drive and didn’t feel comfortable walking through crosswalks.
She also lacked the energy to make insurance calls, review hospital records, negotiate medical bills, or advocate for herself. She believes many of those responsibilities would have fallen through the cracks if she had been left to handle them alone.
Having Buckfire Law manage those tasks gave her time and space to focus on healing. She said the support made her feel safer, more protected, and more at ease.
“It made me feel safer, more protected, more at ease.”
What the Settlement Meant to Alyssa
Alyssa described the settlement Robert secured as life-changing.
It gave her greater financial security and the ability to decide whether she wants to pursue treatment to reduce or cover the scar in the future. It also helped her find closure after the accident.
Knowing the settlement was fair changed how she felt when she looked at the scar on her leg. Rather than carrying only anxiety or resentment, she felt grateful and better able to move forward.
“It’s been able to give me a lot of closure, security, and the possibility to fix my scar moving forward if I want to.”
What Alyssa Wants Other Injured Pedestrians to Know
Alyssa began the process believing legal action was not something a person like her would do. Her experience changed that perspective.
She learned that an accident can permanently affect someone’s life and that seeking legal help can be a way to protect their future—not a lack of compassion for someone else.
What surprised her most was how human the experience felt. She described the people at Buckfire Law as down-to-earth, empathetic, professional, kind, and genuinely interested in helping her.
When asked what she would tell someone else who had been hit by a car, Alyssa’s advice was simple:
“I would tell them to call Buckfire Law without a doubt. They will feel taken care of. They’re professional yet down to earth, and they actually care about the people they’re working for.”
Learn More About Michigan Pedestrian Accident Claims
If you were hit by a car while walking, understanding your insurance coverage and legal options can help you make informed decisions.
- Michigan Pedestrian Accident Lawsuits: Learn how crosswalk regulations, driver fault, and traffic laws apply to pedestrian injury claims.
- No-Fault Insurance Coverage for Pedestrians: Understand how medical bills and lost wages may be covered under Michigan No-Fault insurance, even if you don’t own a vehicle.
- Pedestrian Settlements: Learn how compensation may be recovered for serious injuries, disability, and driver negligence.
Free Legal Guide for Injured Pedestrians
Download The Ultimate Michigan Pedestrian Accident Handbook, authored by senior trial attorney Lawrence J. Buckfire, for information about insurance coverage, medical benefits, and handling insurance denials.
Download Your Free Pedestrian Accident Handbook →
Advocating for Injured Pedestrians Statewide
Our legal team handles pedestrian collision cases across the entire state of Michigan. Contact our main office in Southfield or reach out to our regional branch locations in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Macomb County, or Flint.
