18-year-old dies in Raisinville Township crash
An 18-year-old from Ida died Thursday after his car hit a tree, overturned and caught fire.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said the crash was reported at 6:54 a.m. Oct. 15 on North Raisinville Road, in Raisinville Township.
Garrett Siffer was driving a blue 2010 Ford Fusion north when he lost control near the Stewart Road intersection, according to the preliminary investigation. He ran off the road to the east, entered a ditch and hit a tree.
The car spun counterclockwise and overturned, coming to rest on its roof before catching fire. Sheriff's Lt. Ryan Sottile arrived and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.
Siffer was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt, and multiple airbags deployed during the crash.
The sheriff's office is investigating the cause of the crash.
Anyone with information is asked to call 734-240-7725 or 1-800-SPEAKUP.
Michigan benefits and claims after a fatal single-car crash
Michigan no-fault benefits don't require proof that another driver caused a crash. After a fatal crash, available benefits can include reasonable funeral and burial expenses up to the policy's limit. Coverage and eligibility rules still apply, so a death alone doesn't establish a right to payment.
Qualifying dependents may also receive survivor's loss benefits for financial support they would have received from the person who died. Under MCL 500.3108, those benefits can also cover reasonable expenses for necessary household services the person would have provided, up to $20 a day. Benefits are subject to an overall statutory payment limit and aren't payable beyond the first three years after the crash.
A wrongful death lawsuit is separate and requires proof that another person's or entity's wrongful conduct caused the death and would have supported a claim had the person survived. The estate's personal representative must bring the lawsuit, a requirement explained in Michigan Legal Center's overview of Michigan wrongful death filing requirements and deadlines.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates handles car accident, no-fault and wrongful death claims.
Contact Michigan Legal Center after a fatal car crash to ask whether your insurance or legal questions fall 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.