Semi Tractor Crashes into Cars on August 26, 2025, Near Traffic Merging for Road Construction in Western Michigan Resulting in Death and Serious Injuries to Innocent Victims.

According to the news reports a woman and her unborn child were killed in a crash involving multiple semi-trucks on I-96 west of Portland Michigan. The Ionia County Sheriff’s Office indicated that cars were merging into one lane for a construction zone when a semi hit an SUV, forcing it off the road. This action apparently caused serious injuries to the SUV passengers. The reports said that the semi then rear-ended another SUV, pushing it forward until it was pinned between two semis. The passenger that was pinned between the semis’ died at the scene. Apparently, traffic on I-96 slowed shortly before 4:45 p.m. And merging into one lane because of road construction. The tractor-trailer did not slow down in time and struck both SUVs.

Highway Accidents resulting from stopped or Slowed Traffic

This accident highlights the problem of excessive speed and attention to the road while on the highway. Drivers on Michigan’s Highways and roads need to constantly be on the lookout for construction and backed up traffic.  The rise in crashes is attributed to increased road repairs needed to address the state's poor roads, with work zone crashes increasing substantially since 2019. Drivers are urged to be cautious in work zones, adhere to reduced speed limits, and follow traffic signals to avoid accidents.

Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

There can be many factors contributing to the cause of a Semi Tractor Crash. Listed below are some possible contributing factors.

1.     Sleepiness or fatigue due to hours-of-service violation or drugs.

2.     Speeding.

3.     Running Red Lights and Stop Signs.

4.     Swerving can result in loss of control.

5.     Improperly loaded trailer or overloaded trailer.

6.     Locking off brakes.

7.     Drug and alcohol abuse.

8.     Truck must be maintained and serviced routinely and records kept.

9.     Maneuverability can lead to wide turns and blocking lanes.

10. Improper driver training and lack of screening the driver and inadequate training or education by the company.

Preservation of Evidence after Serious Injury Semi-Truck Crash in Michigan. 

Spoliation of Evidence after Semi Truck Crashes.

Gerald R. Stahl has represented victims of trucking accidents for over 35 years. The consequences of these accidents are devastating to the victims and their families. Often the semi crash will result in death of the innocent victim like in this recent case in Ionia County. There are several differences between a semi truck and a car. The Federal Motor Carrier Act sets forth the rules and guidelines for drivers and companies. More than ever an experienced lawyer needs to be contacted to preserve the critical evidence and prevent spoliation.

Spoliation of evidence in a trucking accident basically involves the trucking company of semi driver destroying or concealing critical evidence.  Semi-trucks come with technology that captures key data used in determining what caused the accident. This can include GPS, and details on how the driver speeds. This data is then used to determine what factors contributed to the accident, playing a crucial role in establishing liability.

Thus, the spoliation letter will help prevent the company from destroying driver logs, black box data, or maintenance records or transferring the semi or repairing the semi-truck involved in the case. To prevent spoliation, an experienced attorney will send a strong spoliation letter demanding evidence preservation Then if evidence is secreted or destroyed the court may impose sanctions or other remedies that will allow a jury to assume the destroyed evidence favored the victim.

Additionally, trucking companies must maintain comprehensive records of their truck’s maintenance records and drivers’ history. Trucking companies will then be required to have these records available in the event of an accident, as they can be admitted in proving fault in court.

West Michigan Semi Crash Cases

Ottawa County Michigan certainly has its share of semi-truck accidents on the streets and highways. These accidents are often complicated and could have been avoided if the truck driver and the company understood and followed the regulations.

In August 2024, a crash happened in Coopersville when the brakes of a semi truck locked up causing the truck to jackknife. In the same city, Coopersville, Michigan, several years ago I represented an elderly couple that was seriously injured in a crash with a semi tractor trailer. In that case, the couple was going home after church on a dark country road. It was nighttime and the semi driver was backing out of private property and blocking both lanes of traffic. The trailer did not have lights on the side and when the clients came over a hill there was not enough time to stop. Both clients suffered serious life-changing injuries. In that case injuries lead to depression, PTSD, and permanent disability.

I had a case where a semi driver came off the Highway at the M6 and US 131 circle exit near Byron Center and the semi and the trailer flipped. The weight of the trailer can cause the load to shift and flip the trailer, especially if you are going too fast. In the case of an overloaded trailer, the tractor may have difficulty turning and stopping. This can also cause jack knifing and rollover.

These trailers are difficult to turn or maneuver. I have seen Semi crashes in Holland, Michigan, where the semi pulls the tractor out pulls out to make a left turn but becomes trapped because the maneuver was not made early enough or in a wide enough fashion. This can cause the road to be blocked.

Experience Counts in Trucking Accident Cases

Attorney Gerald R. Stahl is experienced in helping victims of trucking accidents recover money damages West Michigan for over 35 years. If you are injured in an accident with a semi tractor, you need an attorney that has investigated, settled, and tried trucking accident cases. Gerald R Stahl is an experienced trucking lawyer, and he will fight to achieve the best results in your case.  The client should always consider their future after suffering a serious injury that was not their fault.