Medical emergency suspected in Grand Rapids I-196 crash
A 33-year-old Wyoming man was taken to a hospital Tuesday after crashing into a grassy embankment.
Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Post troopers said the crash happened around 2:30 p.m. Sept. 8. A preliminary investigation found he was trying to merge onto westbound I-196 from College Avenue when he hit a metal guardrail near Ottawa Avenue.
He fell about 400 feet down the embankment before stopping in the northbound lanes of Division Avenue.
Troopers suspect a medical emergency contributed to the crash and alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors. He was alert and talking when he was taken to the hospital.
The crash remains under investigation.
How do medical emergencies affect fault and no-fault benefits in Michigan?
A medical emergency does not automatically excuse a driver from responsibility for a crash. That depends on whether the emergency was unexpected and whether the driver acted reasonably.
In White v. Taylor Distributing Co., the Michigan Supreme Court explained that a sudden, unexpected blackout could overcome a statutory presumption of negligence. The emergency must be entirely unexpected and not caused by the driver’s own negligence. Evidence that the driver knew or should have known they were too ill to continue driving can prevent the issue from being decided in the driver’s favor without a trial.
No-fault benefits under MCL 500.3105 allow eligible people to receive personal injury protection (PIP) benefits for accidental bodily injuries arising from motor vehicle use without proving who caused the crash. PIP medical coverage can pay allowable treatment expenses, subject to applicable coverage limits and exclusions.
Identifying the insurer responsible for those bills is also important. Michigan Legal Center explains who pays medical bills after a Michigan car accident and how insurance priority affects payment.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates helps people with car accident injury claims and disputes over no-fault benefits.
If you have questions about medical bills or responsibility after a crash involving a medical emergency, contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether help is available for your situation.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.
Learn more about how Michigan Legal Center handles Michigan car accident claims.