US-41 reopens after three-car crash in Champion

At least one person was taken to a hospital after a three-car crash Monday morning that backed up traffic on US-41.

The crash happened Oct. 5 near Jerzi’s 41 in Champion. Michigan State Police Negaunee Post troopers investigated.

Their preliminary investigation found that a vehicle stopped for a right turn was rear-ended by another vehicle and was pushed into a third vehicle.

Police described the injuries as non-life-threatening and said one person was trapped in a vehicle and had to be cut free.

Who is at fault in a Michigan chain-reaction crash?

Fault depends on which drivers failed to use reasonable care and whether their actions caused the harm. Under MCL 257.402, a driver who overtakes and rear-ends a vehicle traveling in the same direction or lawfully stopped on a Michigan highway is generally presumed negligent. Evidence of a valid excuse or justification can overcome that presumption.

Being pushed into another vehicle does not, by itself, establish that a driver was negligent. Michigan Legal Center’s guide to multi-vehicle crashes explains why the sequence of impacts matters when determining which drivers caused the harm.

Get help from Michigan Legal Center

Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates handles car accident injury claims and disputes over crash responsibility.

If you were injured in a rear-end or chain-reaction crash, contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether Michigan Legal Center can help.

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’s car accident services include reviewing crash fault, injuries and insurance claims.