A Montcalm County car accident has left an Edmore man with injuries.  Seth Smith was injured on February 18, 2009 when his car crossed the center line of M-57 near Derby Road and crashed.  Seth Smith’s car was the only one involved in the accident.  The cause of the accident has not been determined.

I am very sorry this accident occurred.  I hope that Seth Smith is able to enjoy a full and speedy recovery.

When someone is injured in a single-vehicle car accident, many people do not realize they can still submit a claim for Michigan No Fault benefits.  No Fault insurance benefits are available to anyone injured in a car accident, regardless of whose fault the accident was.

For Seth Smith, this means he can submit a No Fault claim for medical expenses and lost wages.  Depending on the severity of his injuries, he may also be able to submit a claim for additional No Fault benefits.  For example, if he requires supervised care after he is released from the hospital, he can submit a claim for attendant care benefits and his insurance company will pay a reasonable rate to a nurse or even to a family member to pay for that care.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

A Montcalm County car accident has claimed the life of a 14-year old girl from Gaylord.  Sarah Guthrie was tragically killed when a car driven by her stepmother Doreen Guthrie crossed the centerline of M-66 near McBride Road and was hit by another vehicle on December 24, 2008.  Doreen Guthrie was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids but was listed in stable condition as of December 26.  Three other passengers, Lydia McCracken, 9, Gavin McCracken, 8, and Allie Steward, 4, were treated for minor injuries and released.  The driver of the other car, Deborah Beach of Edmore, was also treated for injuries and released.

I am very sorry this accident occurred, especially during the holidays.  I want to extend my sympathy to Sarah Guthrie’s family for their loss.  I also hope that everyone has a full recovery.

In an accident like this, it is important to determine what claims may be brought so the victims can be compensated for their injuries.  Both drivers and all of the passengers should submit a claim for No Fault insurance.  In Michigan, this insurance is available regardless of fault and will cover lost wages and all reasonable and necessary medical expenses.  That means the hospital bills of everyone involved in this accident should be covered by their insurance.

Since her injuries appear to be more severe, Doreen Guthrie may be able to collect additional benefits.  For instance, if she is prevented from doing chores around the house due to her injuries, she can file for household replacement services.  If she requires supervised care, she can collect a reasonable rate to pay a professional or a family member to provide this care.  A lawyer could help her determine if it would be appropriate to claim these and other benefits.

Finally, because Sarah Guthrie died in the accident, her estate could file a No Fault survivor loss claim and it sue Doreen Guthrie for negligence and wrongful death.  This lawsuit will be paid for and defended by Doreen’s insurance company so it does not matter that she and Sarah are related.  However, the family should discuss this lawsuit with a lawyer, who can help them weigh the advantages and disadvantages of filing a lawsuit before they make their decision.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

We represent individuals injured in Michigan car accidents.  These include cases for auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, moped accidents, pedestrian accidents, bus accidents, and hit and run accidents.  Cases often also include all terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents, off road vehicles, and even snowmobile accidents.

It is often important to hire a Michigan car accident lawyer for your case shortly after your accident.  To see why this is often necessary, you can watch this video interview with attorney Daniel L. Buckfire right now.

As part of any Michigan car accident case or any Michigan auto insurance claim, it is necessary to obtain the police traffic accident report.  Our firm routinely obtains these for our clients who have been injured in an auto accident. 

These are available to you by simply contacting the police agency and requesting the report.  There is usually a small fee for the report.  For an accident that occurred in Montcalm County, you should request the traffic crash report at the following location:

Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office
659 North State St
Stanton, MI 48888
(989) 831-7590
Fax: (989) 831-7420

If your accident was investigated by the Michigan State Police, you need to request the report directly from that agency.  You can download the Michigan State Police form here that you must complete and submit to obtain the Michigan State Police report.  .

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information. 

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com   If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.