Motorcyclist Seriously Injured After Canoe Falls From Van in Walker
One man was seriously injured on Tuesday when his motorcycle was struck after a canoe fell from a van while driving.
According to the Walker Police Department, the crash happened around 3:30 p.m. near Wilson Avenue and Hall Street in Walker.
A van traveling south on Wilson Avenue had a canoe tied to the top when the canoe became unsecured and fell into the roadway. A northbound vehicle then struck the canoe, which then struck a motorcycle that was also in the northbound lane.
The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. The drivers of the van and the other vehicle were not hurt.
Police said alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash.
Hall Street east of Wilson Avenue was closed for about two hours while the Walker Police Crash Investigation Team processed the scene, but it is now open again.
The Walker Police Department asks anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call the tip line at 616-791-6788 and reference incident 26-5451.
What Legal Issues Could Be Involved in This Crash?
A crash involving a falling object can raise questions about whether the load was properly secured, who secured it and whether the unsecured load caused the injury.
Michigan law requires certain loads carried on highway vehicles to be secured so they do not drop, shift or otherwise create a danger on the road. Under MCL 257.720, vehicles generally must be loaded or covered in a way that prevents the contents or load from dropping, spilling or escaping.
The person or company that loaded the vehicle may become part of the investigation if the load was not properly secured. Michigan law also includes “prima facie” liability language for certain loading violations, but that does not automatically decide every injury claim. Liability still depends on the evidence and the facts of the crash.
Someone who was hit by a falling object may have a civil claim against the driver, vehicle owner, company or another responsible party depending on who loaded the vehicle, who controlled it and what caused the object to come loose.
If negligence can be proven, a claim may involve vehicle damage, towing costs, personal property damage, medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering or other crash-related losses.
Michigan’s No-Fault system may also apply after a motorcycle crash, but motorcycle benefit issues can be fact-specific. Eligibility for No-Fault benefits can depend on insurance coverage, the vehicles involved, priority rules and other facts.
Michigan’s mini-tort rule may also allow limited recovery for vehicle damage from an at-fault driver when the legal requirements are met.
Get Help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Our attorneys help people injured in Michigan car crashes with No-Fault claims, insurance disputes, claims against at-fault drivers and serious injury cases.
After a crash, our attorneys can review police reports, preserve evidence, identify available insurance, evaluate No-Fault benefits and determine what claims may be available. For immediate next steps, see our guide on what to do after a car accident in Michigan.
Call (248) 886-8650 or contact Michigan Legal Center for a free consultation.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.
Note
Our firm used outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified every fact regarding this crash. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Michigan Legal Center immediately so we can correct the post. This post can be removed upon request.
Disclaimer
This post is for general information only and is not legal or medical advice. If a photograph is used with this post, it was not taken at the actual crash scene unless specifically stated.