Detroit crashes by the numbers
Detroit, a city of 639,111 people at the 2020 census, had 24,321 police-reported crashes in 2024, about 38 for every 1,000 residents. That was the most of the 25 Wayne County communities on this site.
Someone was injured in 6,179 of them, 104 people were killed and 539 people were seriously hurt.
Of those crashes, 5,231 (21.5%) happened on an interstate and 586 involved alcohol.
Police also recorded 420 crashes involving a pedestrian and 151 involving a bicyclist.
Source: Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Wayne County 2024 profile, tables of crashes and people by municipality. Covers calendar year 2024, the latest year with municipal tables when we checked on October 22, 2026. Counts are police-reported crashes located in the municipality. Compare communities in the metro Detroit crash data.
The firm’s only office is in Bloomfield Hills, on Woodward Avenue: see our Bloomfield Hills car accident and personal injury lawyer page for the address and directions.
How a Detroit crash claim usually runs
- The crash report. Detroit Police crash reports are requested in person at the Third Precinct, 2875 W. Grand Blvd. (the counter moved there from W. Fort St.), with the exact crash date, the cross streets and a valid ID. The fee is $10, cash or money order, exact amount. The department’s page lists no online option. Source: Detroit Police: crash reports. If the State Police responded instead, use the Traffic Crash Purchasing System ($15 a report; it requires a MiLogin account).
- Treatment. Tell every provider the injury came from a car crash, so bills go to the no-fault insurer. See all metro Detroit trauma centers.
- Your no-fault claim. It goes to your own auto insurer (or a relative’s you live with). See what no-fault pays.
- If a lawsuit is needed. A no-fault claim of $25,000 or less usually goes to the 36th District Court, 421 Madison St., Detroit. Larger claims and most suits against at-fault drivers go to the 3rd Circuit Court, Detroit. Where a case is actually filed depends on the facts, including where the crash happened and where the parties live or do business.
Detroit courts, police and hospitals
| Crash reports | Detroit Police Department |
|---|---|
| District court | 36th District Court (421 Madison St., Detroit). It also serves: City of Detroit |
| Circuit court | 3rd Circuit Court (Wayne County), Detroit |
| Probate court | Wayne County Probate Court (1307 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit) |
| Trauma centers | DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital & University Health Center (Level I, in Detroit); Henry Ford Hospital (Level I, in Detroit); Ascension St. John Hospital (Henry Ford St. John Hospital) (Level I (adult); Level II, pediatric, in Detroit); DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital (Level II, in Detroit) |
| Major roads | I-75, I-94, I-96, M-10 (John C. Lodge Freeway), M-39 (Southfield Freeway), M-1 (Woodward Avenue) |
Where crashes happen most in Detroit
These are the intersections in Detroit with the most reported crashes from 2021 through 2025, as ranked by SEMCOG, the region’s planning agency. The counts include minor crashes and aren’t adjusted for traffic volume, so they show where crashes concentrate, not how risky each trip is.
| Intersection | Crashes, 2021–2025 | 2025 | Rank in Southeast Michigan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livernois Ave @ Davison St W | 300 | 67 | 12 |
| Conner St @ Gratiot Ave | 262 | 46 | 21 |
| Davison St E @ Conant St | 259 | 56 | 22 |
Source: SEMCOG High Frequency Crash Locations, intersections, retrieved October 25, 2026; some intersections combine several crash locations, such as both directions of a divided road. See the full regional rankings and method.
Where people are most often killed or seriously hurt in Detroit
These 11 intersections rank among the 20 in Southeast Michigan with the most crashes that killed or seriously injured someone from 2021 through 2025. Small numbers swing from year to year, and the counts are not adjusted for traffic volume.
| Intersection | Fatal and serious-injury crashes, 2021–2025 | Rank in Southeast Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Conner St @ Gratiot Ave | 12 | 1 |
| Greenfield Rd @ Plymouth Rd | 11 | 2 |
| Moross Rd @ Kelly Rd | 11 | 2 |
| Fenkell St @ Lindsay St | 10 | 4 |
| Outer Dr E @ Ryan Rd | 10 | 4 |
| Gratiot Ave @ French Rd | 9 | 8 |
| Gratiot Ave @ Harper Ave | 9 | 8 |
| 7 Mile Rd W @ Faust Ave | 8 | 12 |
| Gratiot Ave @ McNichols Rd E | 8 | 12 |
| Grand River Ave @ Hubbell St | 8 | 12 |
| Gratiot Ave @ Crane St | 8 | 12 |
Source: SEMCOG High Frequency Crash Locations, fatal and serious-injury layer, retrieved October 25, 2026. Tied intersections share a rank. See the full regional rankings.
Road problems and local records in Detroit
If a pothole, a missing sign or a broken signal played a part in your crash, which agency is responsible matters: claims against a road agency require written notice within as little as 120 days. See road defect and government vehicle claims.
- The city handles major roads and residential streets (313-224-0033 or Improve Detroit); Wayne County maintains the freeways (888-762-3273); MDOT handles freeway construction issues and certain state roads. Detroit: pothole repair
Results from Wayne County cases
- A $5,000 offer became $35,000, plus $45,000 in unpaid wagesNeck and back injuries, plus unpaid wage loss
- Offered $250,000. Recovered $1,250,000 after we found the umbrella policyWrongful death: finding all of the insurance
From Justin Grove’s files, with details that could identify the client left out. Each result depended on its own facts and does not predict another case. Amounts are gross, before fees, costs and liens. All case results
Driving in Detroit
- The Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor opened to traffic on July 27, 2026, with new I-75 ramps connecting to it. Source
- Detroit operates its own bus system, DDOT, and opts out of SMART local service; SMART runs FAST limited-stop routes into the city. Source
- Detroit recorded 24,321 reported crashes in 2024, with 104 people killed and 420 pedestrian-involved crashes. Source
- Detroit’s Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (2022) sets a goal of eliminating serious-injury and fatal crashes in the city. Source
Written notice to your no-fault insurer within one year of the crash. The deadline calculator shows every date for your crash.
Other crash and injury guides
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Fatal crashes and wrongful death
- Motorcycle accidents
- Hit-and-run crashes
- Bus accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Deer crashes
- Dog bites
- Slip-and-fall and premises injuries
- Medical malpractice
For matters outside auto injury, another firm sometimes works on a case with us; we tell you before you agree.
Nearby Wayne County communities
Wayne County car accident and personal injury lawyers (all Wayne County communities) All locations
Sources: Michigan courts directory, Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (2024), state trauma center designations and local agency websites, checked October 2026.
Questions people ask us
Where would a Detroit car accident case be filed?
A no-fault claim of $25,000 or less is usually filed in district court, which for Detroit is the 36th District Court (421 Madison St., Detroit). Larger claims and most lawsuits against at-fault drivers go to circuit court, the 3rd Circuit Court (Wayne County), Detroit. Venue can also depend on where a defendant lives or does business.
Who takes crash reports in Detroit?
Crashes in Detroit are generally handled by the Detroit Police Department. Get the report number at the scene or from the agency; this page explains how that agency sells copies.
Which trauma centers are near Detroit?
DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital & University Health Center (Level I, in Detroit); Henry Ford Hospital (Level I, in Detroit); Ascension St. John Hospital (Henry Ford St. John Hospital) (Level I (adult); Level II, pediatric, in Detroit); DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital (Level II, in Detroit). In an emergency, call 911; paramedics choose the hospital.
