Pontiac teen seriously injured in ATV rollover crash
A 15-year-old from Pontiac was seriously injured Monday evening in an all-terrain vehicle rollover crash near Murphy Park.
The crash happened just after 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 6, on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Elm Street, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the teen and a 16-year-old, also from Pontiac, were both riding four-wheelers when the crash happened. The 15-year-old was riding a 2016 Polaris Sportsman ATV and was trying to turn into Murphy Park when the ATV rolled over. The teen was ejected from the vehicle.
The other teen was successfully made the turn and was not injured.
Neither rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to the sheriff’s office.
The 15-year-old was taken to McLaren Oakland Hospital in serious but stable condition. Deputies said the teen was expected to be transferred to Children’s Hospital for additional treatment.
Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash according to preliminary investigation.
Legal options after a Michigan ATV crash
ATV crashes can raise different legal questions than ordinary car crashes because Michigan law has specific rules for off-road vehicle operation, including helmet, roadway and youth rider requirements.
ATVs and other Off Road Vehicles (ORV) are considered motor vehicles by Michigan law, meaning that no-fault benefits apply to ATV accidents according MCL 500.3105.
The available insurance coverage for a single vehicle ATV crash could involve no-fault benefits, health insurance, homeowners insurance, recreational vehicle coverage or another applicable policy. The answer can depend on where the ATV was being operated, whether another motor vehicle was involved and the exact insurance policies available.
Under MCL 324.81133, ORV riders are required to wear a crash helmet and protective eyewear unless a legal exception applies.
Michigan law also limits when ORVs may be operated on public highways, streets and rights-of-way unless an exception or local ordinance allows it in MCL 324.81122.
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 crash, call Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650 or contact us 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 car accident medical bills and PIP priority and Michigan wrongful death deadlines. ```