Wrong way crash closes I-75 in Detroit

At least one person has died after crash involving driver going wrong way down I-75 early Tuesday.

At around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, Michigan State Police responded to a crash on I-75 near Grand River Avenue involvingtwo vehicles.

The southbound lanes of the freeway from Grand River Avenue to Rosa Parks Boulevard were closed for several hours but have since reopened.

Police said the crash is under investigation and they are working to determine the extent of injuries of those involved.

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.

For more information read the Michigan Legal Center guide to personal injury lawyer cases.

Wrong way crashes

Determining a driver’s negligence in wrong way crashes usually depends on why the driver started or continued driving in the wrong direction. Driving the wrong way is often strong evidence that the driver failed to use reasonable care. The driver could be considered negligent if they ignored traffic signs, was distracted, was impaired, drove too fast for the conditions or failed to correct course after realizing they were traveling the wrong way.

Even if a person was partially or fully at fault for a crash caused by driving the wrong way, they may still be eligible for PIP benefits depending on coverage, priority rules and other facts.