Tractor Driver Seriously Injured After Being Hit While Mowing Along Highway
A tractor driver sustained serious injuries after being hit by a semi truck while mowing along the highway.
Michigan State Police (MSP) responded to a call at around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 4 to I-69 near the Newton Road Bridge in Clinton Township. A tractor driver was mowing the lawn near the southbound side of the road when he was struck by a tractor-trailer.
The 46-year-old tractor driver from Coldwater sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo. The semi driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to Bronson Battle Creek for observation.
Southbound I-69 was closed for around eight and a half hours but has since reopened.
The crash is still under investigation, however investigators believe that drug use may have been a factor.
"Motorists are reminded to stay alert for mowing crews and equipment working in medians, shoulders, and ditch areas,” said Michigan State Police in a news release. “If you see maintenance crews or mowing equipment ahead, move over one lane when it is safe to do so. If you cannot move over, slow down and proceed with caution."
MSP was assisted at the scene by the Branch County Sheriff's Office, Coldwater Police Department, Coldwater Fire Department and LifeCare Ambulance.
Legal options after an accident
Michigan is a no-fault state, which means that without having to determine whose fault an accident is, people injured in the crash may qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
These benefits can help cover economic losses from the crash such as allowable medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services and attendant care.
Recovering noneconomic losses usually requires a separate claim against an at-fault driver. This would only be an option if the injuries meet the state’s threshold of serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement or death.
Tractor and semi-truck laws
Michigan no-fault law generally excludes husbandry equipment such as farm tractors from being considered motor vehicles. However, a tractor driver injured in a motor vehicle crash may still be eligible for PIP benefits, but the paying insurer depends on Michigan priority rules.
The tractor may be treated differently for no-fault insurance, registration and property damage rules, but the driver can still be evaluated under ordinary negligence principles. A tractor driver could possibly be negligent even if they never drove on the road.
Determining negligence for the tractor driver or the motor vehicle driver depends on where the tractor was, whether it was visible, whether it created a hazard, whether it was moving or parked and whether the other driver failed to stay on the roadway.
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 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 car 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.
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.