Michigan State Police Trooper Injured In Van Buren County Truck Accident On I-94
DETROIT, MICHIGAN (April 11, 2022) – A Michigan State Police trooper was injured in a car accident after being rear-ended by a semi-truck on Interstate 94 in Van Buren County.
Van Buren County police officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:30 p.m. on April 8. The state trooper was heading down I-94 when his vehicle was rear-ended by a semi-truck.
The force of the impact pushed the police SUV off of the road and onto the grass. Photos of the crash site show the police car with major damage on all sides.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Rescue workers had to use the jaws of life to free him from his vehicle.
He was transported to the hospital with serious injuries but has since been released. Police arrested the semi-truck driver and charged him with one felony count of failing to use caution when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle.
Liability In Van Buren County Semi-Truck Accidents
Car accidents are a major source of serious injury and death for police officers. According to the Centers For Disease Control, “Motor vehicle-related incidents are a leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for law enforcement officers in the United States – they are also preventable. From 2011-2020, 454 officers died due to motor vehicle related incidents (struck by and crashes) – 33% of all line-of-duty deaths (excluding COVID-19 deaths).” Police officers are uniquely vulnerable for a number of reasons.
- They often have to respond to emergencies at high rates of speed.
- They must pull people over by the side of the road and could get hit by a car.
- They occasionally must chase down suspects or otherwise reckless drivers.
When a police officer is injured on the job in Michigan, they will typically be able to seek benefits through the worker’s compensation system. Worker’s compensation is a no-fault system in Michigan and can help cover many of the expenses associated with being injured on the job. Depending on the facts of any case, an injured worker may also be able to seek relief through a third party liability claim. A third party liability claim may be possible when an entity separate from a worker’s employer was responsible for an accident.
All truck drivers must get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must reduce their speed and exercise due care to avoid collisions. Pursuant to Michigan Vehicle Code Section 627(1), all persons operating a vehicle on a highway shall operate their vehicle at a speed that would be reasonable and prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. It is a felony to fail to use reasonable care to avoid injuring a police officer in a stationary vehicle during an emergency response.
Depending on the specific facts of any case, liability for a semi-truck accident could extend beyond any driver. In general, companies are vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, many truck drivers are employed as “independent contractors.” There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The employment status of the truck driver should be determined.
Any police officer that is injured in a collision may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. It is important that victims continue to receive medical support and evaluations after an accident. It’s also a good idea to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who can let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Van Buren County Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the Michigan State Patrol trooper injured in this accident. Any person that may have been a witness to what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough and independent investigation for the sake of the victim.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a car accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
