Fowlerville man dies after Mason Road crash
A 69-year-old Fowlerville man died Wednesday after a single-vehicle crash in Howell Township.
Livingston County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at about 11:30 a.m. to Mason Road, east of Amos Road.
According to the sheriff’s office’s preliminary investigation, the man was driving west on Mason Road when he may have suffered a “medical incident.” His Dodge Caravan left the road and struck a tree.
The driver was not wearing a seat belt, the sheriff’s office said. He was taken to University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, where he later died. Authorities have not released his name.
The sheriff’s office said speed and alcohol did not appear to be factors. Mason Road remained closed for about three hours during the investigation and cleanup.
Howell Area Fire Department and Livingston County EMS assisted at the scene. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Bureau is continuing the investigation.
What benefits or claims may follow a fatal Michigan crash?
Possibly. Michigan no-fault benefits and a wrongful death claim are separate and depend on different facts.
Under MCL 500.3105, personal protection insurance benefits are payable without regard to fault for accidental bodily injury arising from the ownership, operation, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle. The statute includes death resulting from bodily injury.
When the statutory and policy requirements are met, MCL 500.3107 allows funeral and burial expenses within the policy limit. MCL 500.3108 may also provide survivor’s loss benefits to qualifying dependents for certain lost support and replacement-service expenses during the first three years after a crash.
A wrongful death action is different. MCL 600.2922 permits an estate’s personal representative to bring a claim when another person’s wrongful act, neglect or fault caused the death. Michigan wrongful death deadlines depend on the underlying claim, so families should not assume that no-fault rules and lawsuit deadlines are the same. A crash investigation alone does not establish negligence or create a viable wrongful death claim.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Michigan Legal Center handles car accident, no-fault and wrongful death matters.
Contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether a fatal Michigan crash matter falls within Michigan Legal Center’s practice areas.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.
Learn more about Michigan car accident claims.