Michigan seeks to recover damages from I-75 fire

Despite the state’s no-fault law, Michigan’s attorney general is going after the insurance companies of those involved in the I-75 fire that destroyed the 9 Mile Bridge back in July.

Michigan is seeking $3.4 million in damages, and if the insurance companies are not responsive John Sellek, a spokesman for Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, told the Detroit News that his office is prepared to litigate the case on behalf of the state’s department of transportation.

Back on July 15 a car collided with a fuel tanker truck underneath the 9 Mile Bridge. The impact created an explosion and involved another truck. There were no fatalities, but Saied Haidarian-Shahri, who was driving the car, was ticketed for excessive speed.

The Michigan DOT has decided to replace the bridge with a more extensive structure, estimating a complete date of Spring 2010. The agency said it collects on millions of damages. Between 2006 and 2008, MDOT reported $4.5 million in damages and has recovered $2.6 million of it.