Portage, MI (November 28, 2023) - A crash into a Sprinkle Road utility pole left one person dead and sent another to the hospital Sunday.

An 18-year-old driver from Scotts had been traveling north on the road between Centre Avenue and Romence Road when a 25-year-old driver from Kalamazoo crashed into the back of his car, according to the Portage Department of Public Safety. The collision sent both cars crashing into a nearby utility pole, and the 18-year-old's car also caught on fire, public safety officers said. Within just a few minutes, the Portage Fire Division arrived at the crash and put out the fire. EMTs also attempted life-saving measures on the 18-year-old, but the man died at the hospital, according to the department. The 25-year-old driver was also seriously injured in the crash but is expected to recover. Sprinkle Road between Romence Road and Centre Avenue was closed for several hours because of the crash, though it has since reopened.

Our sincere condolences are extended to the deceased man's family. The injured victim and their loved ones remain in our thoughts.

Serious Car Crashes in Michigan

After you've been involved in a car accident in Detroit or somewhere in Michigan, you may be confused about the next steps you should take. You are not compelled to retain legal counsel after a vehicle accident injury in Michigan, although doing so may be in your best interest. An attorney may assist in ensuring that your rights to Michigan No-Fault income loss, PIP compensation, and medical bill payment are protected.

For instance, our state's No-Fault insurance statute is intricate and full of potential pitfalls for those who aren't careful. Moreover, you must consider the practice of providing "notice" after a car accident. If you are injured in a car accident and don't apply for No-Fault benefits within one year of the accident, you may lose your right to receive any No-Fault PIP payments at all. The same holds if you fail to report and settle a sizable medical cost within a year of its accrual.

Another scenario is getting into an accident with someone who turns out to be uninsured or struck by a driver who then flees the scene. Suppose you fail to meet the "notice" requirements of your own "uninsured motorist" policy. In that case, you may lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries and losses, leaving you with nothing — or, worse, with a mountain of expensive medical bills to pay out of pocket and no insurance to cover them in the future.

Unfortunately, your insurance company's claims adjuster may not be as helpful as expected. Did you know that, according to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Michigan, your claims adjuster is not obligated to inform you of your rights? Furthermore, they might ask you to sign a release waiving your entitlement to future No-Fault benefits and injury compensation.

Thankfully, a skilled attorney can help you safeguard your legal rights. To better understand and empathize with our clients' legal concerns, we take the time to get to know them on a personal and professional level. If you or a loved one were injured in a vehicle accident that wasn't your fault and you live in the greater Detroit area, please call our team at Christopher Trainor & Associates. If you've been in a car accident in Detroit, call (248) 886-8650 to schedule a free first consultation. Contact our Portage-area vehicle accident attorneys as soon as possible after a crash has left you with injuries and other losses.

Note: Our firm utilized outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified the facts regarding this accident. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates immediately so that we correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available about the accident. This post can be removed upon request.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. This post is not a solicitation for business.