Two people dead in wrong way crash on I-196
An early Friday morning crash killed two people on I-196, which was closed for several hours.
According to Michigan State Police, the crash occurred at around 12:50 on Friday, June 19. A 36-year-old Grand Rapids man was driving down the wrong way of westbound I-196 near Lane Avenue when he collided with another car being driven by a 39-year-old Jenison woman.
Both drivers were killed in the collision, there were no other occupants in either vehicle.
The westbound lanes of I-196 were closed for several hours but reopened at around 5 a.m. Friday.
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 benefits.
These benefits can help cover economic losses from the crash such as allowable medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services or 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.
Wrong way accidents
When a crash involves at least one driver driving down the wrong side of the road, it can count as negligence per se. This means that the initial evidence of the scene can create a presumption of negligence, unless evidence proves otherwise.
The driver who was going the wrong direction is usually presumed at fault but comparative fault came come into play if another driver or something else contributed to the crash.
This is comparative fault, which means that the percentage of negligence can be reduced by however much the other parties were at fault.
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 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.
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.