Motorcyclist Injured in Holland Twp, MI Crash on Adams Street
Holland Township, MI — August 1, 2022, a 25-year-old motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash with a semi-truck on Adams Street near Holland.
According to reports the incident happened around 10:10 p.m. on Adams at Interstate 196. Preliminary investigation suggests the motorcyclist was headed east on Adams when he allegedly disregarded a red light at the I-196 ramp. After entering the intersection he crashed into the trailer of a nearby 18-wheeler that was turning left onto the ramp.
The rider, reportedly wearing a helmet, was taken to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The truck driver was unhurt.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Motorcycle Accident on Adams St in Holland Twp
Something I talk about a lot on this blog is how there's no such thing as an open-and-shut crash, at least as far as preliminary reports go. Some might dispute that here since police say the victim ran a red light. I wasn't there and have no reason to doubt that, but at the same time that simple narrative doesn't account for all the potential variables.
Am I saying it's impossible the victim made a mistake? Of course not. I'm only saying it's important to keep an open mind and thoroughly investigate the crash rather than pin everything on the victim right away. Things really could be as simple as a disregarded light, but what if the bike's brakes failed? Did the rider try to beat a changing yellow light, or was it solid red? How fast was the truck traveling? Right-of-way aside for a moment, could or should the trucker have noticed the approaching bike and done something differently?
I'm not suggesting we dream up a way to make this something it isn't. My point is that sometimes people get a little too eager to blame a motorcyclist without considering the bigger picture. Public bias that regards riders as "reckless daredevils" is a well-known problem I've contended with many times when representing them after crashes like this.
As tempting as it might be to accept the simplistic story police put out, only careful accident reconstruction could really say what happened here. Making sure the investigators in charge have the experience and equipment to consider all the possibilities, even less-likely or unusual ones, is crucial for ensuring the truth is found and the victim receives the help he needs.
