Grandville juvenile seriously injured after being hit by car on a bike
A young boy was seriously injured Thursday afternoon when a vehicle hit him while he was riding a bicycle in a Grandville crosswalk.
The crash happened around 3:56 p.m. Thursday, June 25, in the 3400 block of Wilson Avenue, according to the Grandville Police Department.
Police said the boy, a juvenile, sustained significant injuries that are not believed to be life threatening. He was taken to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital for treatment and evaluation.
Investigators believe the driver failed to stop for the boy in the crosswalk before the crash. The driver stayed at the scene and is cooperating with police.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor. The crash remains under investigation.
Legal options after a bicycle crash in Michigan
Michigan is a no-fault state, which means people injured in a motor vehicle crash may qualify for Personal Injury Protection benefits without first proving who caused the crash.
For a bicyclist hurt by a vehicle, the insurer that pays PIP benefits can depend on available insurance, household coverage and Michigan’s priority rules. Under Michigan law MCL 500.3115 people injured while not occupying a motor vehicle can still collect PIP benefits, unless coverage is available under other priority rules.
Recovering noneconomic losses usually requires a separate claim against an at-fault driver. This may be an option if the injuries meet Michigan’s threshold of death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement under MCL 500.3135.
Crosswalk and bicycle crash legal issues
Michigan law gives bicyclists many of the same rights and duties that apply to vehicle drivers, except where bicycle-specific rules or laws that do not naturally apply change the analysis.
Crosswalk cases depend heavily on the location, traffic signal, markings and what each person was doing before the crash. Michigan traffic signal rules require drivers to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within an intersection or adjacent crosswalk in some situations.
Fault may depend on visibility, lighting, speed, traffic controls, witness statements, vehicle position, the bicyclist’s path through the crosswalk and whether the driver had time to stop.
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 bicycle crash or car crash, call Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650 or contact Michigan Legal Center 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 bicycle and e-bike crash claims and Michigan car accident medical bills and PIP priority. ```