Family of four rescued after SUV crashes into Southfield ravine

A family of four was rescued Sunday afternoon after an SUV crashed about 30 feet down a steep embankment in Southfield.

The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5, on Simmons Avenue near Berg Road, according to Southfield police.

A Ford Explorer carrying a 39-year-old Southfield woman, her 63-year-old husband and two young children was traveling at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway, crashed through a metal guardrail and fell into a ravine below the road.

Southfield police officers arrived first and were led to the vehicle and began to remove the children from the back seat.

A family member led first responders down the slope to the crash scene after locating the vehicle through a shared phone app, police said.

Southfield firefighters then worked to extricate the family using rescue tools. The fire department's technical rescue team set up a low-angle rope rescue system to bring them up the embankment to waiting ambulances.

The driver was listed in critical condition, and her husband was listed as stable. The two children in the car also received injuries, a 2-year-old girl had a fractured femur, and a 4-year-old boy suffered a cut to his forehead. Both children were treated and released from the hospital to other family members.

Child safety seats were found in the vehicle, but investigators have not determined whether the children were properly restrained before the crash.

Police said the driver did not have a valid Michigan driver's license.

The crash remains under investigation. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to have been factors in the crash.

Legal options after a serious Michigan single vehicle crash

Michigan is a no-fault state, which means people injured in motor vehicle crashes may qualify for Personal Injury Protection benefits without first proving who caused the crash.

Under MCL 500.3105, PIP benefits can help cover economic losses for injuries caused by the crash such as allowable medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services or attendant care.

In a crash involving parents and children in the same vehicle, insurance priority can be important. Which insurer is responsible for PIP benefits can depend on household coverage, vehicle coverage and other facts.

Single vehicle crashes can still raise liability questions. Investigators may need to look at driver conduct, vehicle condition, roadway design, guardrail impact, weather, visibility, phone records, event data and whether any other person or entity contributed to the crash.

For more background, read Michigan Legal Center's guide to Michigan car accident medical bills and PIP priority.

What investigators may review after a guardrail crash

Preliminary evidence suggests the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed before it left the road.

Under MCL 257.627, Michigan drivers generally must drive at a careful and prudent speed for the conditions and be able to stop within the assured clear distance ahead. In a crash involving a curve, hill or embankment crash, investigators may look at speed, roadway markings, visibility, weather, braking, steering input, tire condition, mechanical issues, distraction, impairment and event data from the vehicle.

Because this crash involved a guardrail and a steep embankment, evidence preservation may be important. Relevant evidence could include crash scene photographs, guardrail damage, road measurements, vehicle damage, 911 records, dispatch records, body camera video, witness statements, shared location data and any nearby surveillance video.

Get help from Michigan Legal Center

Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Our attorneys help injured people and families across Michigan with personal injury, car crashes, no-fault claims, insurance disputes, serious injury claims and wrongful death cases.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan car crash, call Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650 or contact us for a consultation.

There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.

Michigan Legal Center can help you navigate the issues involved in claims such as this with Michigan car accident medical bills and PIP priority and Michigan Legal Center's car accident claims page.