Bicyclist critically injured in Commerce Township crash
A 48-year-old Commerce Township man was critically injured Wednesday morning in a crash involving his bicycle.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said its Crash Reconstruction Unit is assisting Commerce Township deputies with the investigation. Deputies and the Commerce Township Fire Department responded at about 6:16 a.m. to West Maple Road near the Michigan Air Line Trail crossing by Grandview Drive.
Investigators said the man was riding a Trek bicycle northeast on the trail and preparing to cross West Maple Road in a marked crosswalk.
Investigators determined that the bicyclist failed to yield to an oncoming 65-year-old Walled Lake woman driving northwest.
The bicyclist was taken to Henry Ford Hospital in Novi, where he remained in critical condition. The driver was not injured and cooperated with investigators.
The sheriff’s office said the bicyclist was wearing a helmet. Investigators do not believe speed, alcohol or drugs were factors. The department’s Drone Unit mapped the crash scene, and the investigation remains ongoing.
What legal duties apply to bicyclists and drivers in Michigan?
Generally, bicyclists riding on a roadway have the same rights and are subject to the same duties as drivers under MCL 257.657. Other traffic rules may also matter depending on the location, markings, traffic controls and evidence. The statute does not by itself determine who was at fault.
For a broader overview of roadway rights, insurance and evidence issues, readers can review Michigan bicycle and e-bike accident claims.
How can insurance and injury claims differ after a bicycle crash?
When someone who was not in a car is injured in an auto accident, MCL 500.3115 provides a priority framework for determining which insurer may be responsible for personal protection (PIP) benefits. The answer can depend on household coverage, available policies and other facts.
PIP benefits are separate from a fault-based claim against a driver. A claim for noneconomic damages after a motor-vehicle crash may be subject to Michigan’s threshold rules for death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement under MCL 500.3135.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Relevant practice areas may include bicycle accidents, motor-vehicle injuries and Michigan no-fault questions. Readers can contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether a reported crash raises an issue within the firm’s practice areas.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.