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Auto accident survivors rally at Capitol

A crane is used to lift a vehicle driven by golfer Tiger Woods following a rollover accident in February in the Rancho Palos Verdes suburb of Los Angeles.
A crane is used to lift a vehicle driven by golfer Tiger Woods following a rollover accident in February in the Rancho Palos Verdes suburb of Los Angeles.

Survivors of catastrophic car accidents and their advocates crowded the halls of the state Capitol on Wednesday.

They're once again pleading with state legislators to fix the new auto no-fault law.

22 year old Braxton Wood has a spinal cord injury from an accident and needs 24/7 care.

But his home care agency had to stop his care last summer. That's because the new law cuts payments to health care providers for survivors by nearly half.

His family is now solely responsible for his care - and he says they haven't received a payment for seven months.

“And it's absolutely criminal, I have emptied my savings in order to just to have gas money to go places, trying to survive and trying to make it to my appointments.”

Republican State Representative Phil Green plans to introduce a bill next week that he says would restore reasonable payments for care providers.

Survivors and advocates are urging other state representatives from both sides of the aisle to sign on as co-sponsors.

Tracy Samilton covers the auto beat for Michigan Radio. She has worked for the station for 12 years, and started out as an intern before becoming a part-time and, later, a full-time reporter. Tracy's reports on the auto industry can frequently be heard on Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as on Michigan Radio. She considers her coverage of the landmark lawsuit against the University of Michigan for its use of affirmative action a highlight of her reporting career.