Chaney v. Department of Transportation

Ray Chaney was operating his motorcycle on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn onto a two-lane entrance ramp leading to 1-94. He *179claims that as he was moving to the right of the ramp he saw an automobile approaching from the rear, and that while attempting to straighten the motorcycle he hit the curb and concrete wall or metal guardrail.1 He was catapulted over the ramp and landed next to a median barrier on I-94.2

The question presented is whether the Michigan Department of Transportation is relieved from liability under the highway exception to governmental immunity3 from tort liability for a defect…