Medical emergency caused Mecosta crash, driver airlifted to hospital.
According to the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to Pierce Drive at Stanwood Road at around 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, in Mecosta Township. When deputies arrived at the scene they found a two vehicle accident at the intersection.
An investigation into the scene revealed that an 84-year-old driver from Shelby was heading west on Pierce Road had a medical emergency and wasn’t able to stop at a stop sign. He drove through the sign and crashed into another vehicle before driving off the road and hitting a tree.
The driver of the other car, a 73-year-old woman, was attempting to turn left onto Pierce Road when she was hit. She was not hurt in the crash.
Mecosta County EMS and Mecosta Township firefighters assisted sheriff’s deputies at the scene.
The man was flown to Grand Rapids hospital by Aeromed for treatment.
Legal options after an accident
Michigan is a no-fault state, which means that without having to determine whose fault an accident is, people injured in the crash may qualify for Personal Injury Protection benefits.
These benefits can help cover economic losses from the crash such as allowable medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services or attendant care.
Recovering noneconomic losses usually requires a separate claim against an at-fault driver. This would only be an option if the injuries meet the state’s threshold of serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement or death.
Crashes caused by medical emergencies
Whether a driver can be considered negligent in a crash involving a medical incident usually depends on whether the condition was reasonably preventable or foreseeable. A sudden, unexpected medical emergency may affect whether the driver is legally at fault. If the driver had warning signs, ignored medical restrictions, failed to take prescribed medication or drove despite knowing a condition could make driving unsafe, negligence may still be an issue.
Even if a person was partially or fully at fault for a crash involving a medical issue, they may still be eligible for PIP benefits depending on coverage, priority rules and other facts.
Get Help From Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Our attorneys help injured people and families across Michigan with car crashes, no-fault claims, insurance disputes, serious injury claims and wrongful death cases.
If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan car crash, call Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650 or contact us for a consultation.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.