Morley man seriously injured after tractor runs him over

A 74-year-old man was seriously injured Monday after being run over after a medical emergency caused him to fall from a tractor.

The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded around 11:30 a.m. Sept. 7 to 137th Avenue near Washington Road in Deerfield Township.

A preliminary investigation found the Morley man was driving a tractor while pulling a hay rack when he experienced a medical emergency and fell off. The tractor and hay rack continued moving and ran him over.

Emergency responders took him to an airport, where an AeroMed helicopter flew him to Grand Rapids for treatment. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, according to the sheriff’s office.

How does a medical emergency affect fault in Michigan?

A medical emergency may be used as proof that a crash was accidental, but doesn’t disprove negligence outright. The emergency must be totally unexpected and not of the person’s own making. Earlier symptoms and a decision to keep driving despite feeling ill can prevent a court from resolving fault without a trial.

Serious injuries alone also do not establish a negligence claim against someone else. The injured person must show that another party owed a legal duty, breached that duty and caused the injuries. Michigan Legal Center’s explanation of personal injury cases in Michigan describes how responsibility and the type of incident affect a possible claim.

Get help from Michigan Legal Center

Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates handles serious injury claims and can review questions about legal responsibility after an accident.

If you or a family member was injured in a tractor accident, Contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether the matter falls within Michigan Legal Center’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.