Bear Killed in Ottawa County Crash: What Michigan Drivers Should Know
A bear was hit and killed in a car crash in Ottawa County on Saturday night.
According to the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office (OCSO), the bear was spotted on Saturday near 68th Avenue S and O'Malley Drive in Coopersville.
The bear was spotted near Arby's in Coopersville around 3 p.m.
OCSO said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources was contacted on Saturday and they responded to the area.
The bear reportedly climbed a tree in the area, but later in the night was hit by a vehicle and killed while crossing the highway.
Hitting an animal vs hitting a car
In Michigan, drivers who are injured in a crash can usually receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits thanks to the No-Fault Act. This can also apply to drivers who were injured in crashes caused by wild animals.
PIP benefits can help a person recover money for medical care, wage loss and certain other replacement services subject to exceptions.
Whether or not a driver will receive help paying for vehicle damage often depends on the type of insurance coverage available and whether their policy includes comprehensive coverage for animal collisions.
To receive benefits for noneconomic claims such as pain and suffering usually requires a liable person and a qualifying injury threshold, such as death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.
Negligence in animal crashes
Negligence can still play a factor in animal related crashes depending on the facts of the case. This can happen if a driver was forced to swerve to avoid another unsafe driver, or if their own unsafe driving made them unable to avoid the animal.
In cases where a wild animal suddenly runs into the road, there is often no negligence at play.
Determining negligence in cases like this usually depends on whether the driver’s own response could be considered reasonable under the circumstances. A driver who swerves, speeds, overcorrects or hits another vehicle may face a different legal analysis than a driver who had little or no time to react.