Holland man dies after rear-ending stopped semi on I-196 in Saugatuck Township
A 82-year-old Holland man died on Monday, June 15, after rear ending a semi-truck.
According to Michigan State Police, traffic had been backed up on northbound I-196 near 68th Street when the Holland man rear ended a stopped truck.
Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, but the semi driver was not injured. The crash remains under investigation, but alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash.
Northbound was temporarily closed after the accident but has since reopened.
Legal options after an accident
Michigan is a no-fault state, which means that without having to determine whose fault an accident is, people injured in the crash may qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
These benefits can help cover economic losses from the crash such as allowable medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services and attendant care.
Recovering noneconomic losses usually requires a separate claim against an at-fault driver. This would only be an option if the injuries meet the state’s threshold of serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement or death.
Semi crashes legal issues
Semi-truck crashes in Michigan are considered motor-vehicle crashes and are also included in no-fault system rules when it comes to determining possible benefits after a crash. This means that people injured in auto accidents may qualify for PIP benefits.
Crashes involving semi-trucks can be more complicated, because as commercial vehicles, they are also subject to federal motor carrier safety regulations. Violating these regulations may support a negligence claim that wouldn’t be relevant in non-commercial crashes.
Liability could also possibly land on the motor carrier itself in cases where there were:
- vicarious liability for the driver’s negligence while working
- negligent hiring, retention, training, or supervision
- pressuring the driver to violate hours-of-service rules
- poor maintenance practices
- failure to inspect or repair known defects
- unsafe scheduling or dispatch
- or failure to preserve safety records after the crash
Related background includes Michigan car accident medical bills and PIP priority, Michigan wrongful death deadlines, and Michigan Legal Center's truck accident claims page.
Get Help From Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Our attorneys help families across Michigan with fatal crash investigations, wrongful death claims, No-Fault benefit disputes, truck crash evidence, and insurance issues after serious vehicle collisions.
If your family lost a loved one in a Michigan crash, call Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650 or contact us for a free consultation.
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