Three passengers seriously injured in Luce County crash
Three passengers were seriously injured in a Luce County crash early Saturday, and the driver was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving.
Michigan State Police Sault Ste. Marie Post troopers responded around 3 a.m. Sept. 26 to the intersection of M-28 and M-117. A car driving north on M-117 drove across M-28 before crashing into a ditch near the highway.
Troopers found all three passengers seriously injured. They gave first aid, including applying a tourniquet to one passenger who was bleeding severely. Emergency medical workers took all three to Helen Newberry Joy Hospital.
Police said the driver, a 27-year-old Cedarville man, showed signs of being under the influence. He had minor injuries but declined treatment at the scene. After further investigation, troopers arrested him for operating while intoxicated and took him to the Luce County Jail.
Impaired driving arrests and Michigan passenger injury claims
An impaired driving arrest is part of a criminal process. It does not determine whether an injured passenger qualifies for insurance benefits or has a civil claim.
Michigan no-fault personal injury protection can pay eligible medical expenses regardless of fault. MCL 500.3114 sets priority rules for identifying the insurer that may owe a passenger benefits. The answer can depend on the passenger’s own policy and household coverage. Michigan Legal Center’s passenger injury claims overview explains why that insurance question is separate from a claim against a driver.
A separate claim for pain and suffering requires proof of a driver’s legal responsibility and an injury that meets Michigan’s threshold. MCL 500.3135 requires death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement for those damages.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates handles car accident, no-fault and serious injury claims.
If you were injured as a passenger in a Michigan crash, you can contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether your matter falls within its practice.
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 also provides information about Michigan car accident claims.