Residents of Ontario may have heard about a two-car accident that transpired nearby in Michigan shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 13. According to a report, a male adolescent from Polkton Township, Michigan, crashed into a vehicle heading west on Grove Street because the man, who was travelling southbound on East Street, apparently failed to stop at the intersection’s traffic light.

Rescue personnel who arrived at the scene transported the driver of the westbound vehicle, a 38-year-old woman from Coopersville, to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids where she was being treated for injuries to her back and neck. The woman’s passenger, a young girl, was treated at the scene after she complained of suffering leg pain, according to a sergeant from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department.

Following a car accident, individuals may struggle with a severe injury that might also lead to financial instability. Serious injuries to a person’s head, neck, back or spinal cord, for example, can lead to long-term effects. Treatment and therapy for the injuries may be costly, and some injuries limit a person’s ability to earn wages, which can be an additional burden.

If the conduct of a negligent driver caused the car accident, the injured party may able to hold that driver liable for those damages. A lawyer might be able to uncover evidence from the official police report and witness statements that may substantiate the plaintiff’s claim of negligence. If police charged the driver for traffic violations, those charges may also be used in the case to strengthen the claim. Successful claims may result in awards that cover treatment costs and lost wages.

Source: Grand Haven Tribune, “Coopersville woman hurt in 2-car crash“, October 14, 2014