Podcast explores a former Red Wings player and Michigan’s reformed no-fault insurance law

Michigan’s latest auto insurance law is about to decimate part of the care industry. According to recent reporting, agencies that offer care for people with catastrophic injuries are being driven out of business by changes to Michigan’s no-fault insurance law.

A new podcast from Michigan Radio, called “Collision Course: The Konstantinov Story,” looks at the career and life of former Detroit Red Wings hockey player Vladimir Konstantinov — before and after he was involved in a 1997 limousine crash. It explores how his life will soon change because of the law’s reform.

“Of course, it’s about Vlady, but there are several thousand Vladimir Konstantinov’s out there who were affected by this.” — April Baer, Michigan Radio

Listen: How Michigan’s reformed auto insurance law is changing the shape of critical care in the state.

Guests

April Baer is the host of Stateside on Michigan Radio, and co-host of the new podcast “Collision Course: The Konstantinov Story.” She says Konstantinov is a representation of what thousands of Michiganders are enduring.

“Of course, it’s about Vlady,” says Baer, “but there are several thousand Vladimir Konstantinov’s out there who were affected by this.”

Tracy Samilton is the energy and transportation reporter for Michigan Radio and co-host of “Collision Course.” She says many Michiganders may not be able to afford the care they need if they get into a catastrophic car accident.

“They have understaffing already,” says Samilton of Michigan care agencies. “A lot of these nursing homes, I’m really, really afraid, once people — like Vlady — lose their care, they’re going to say, ‘We can’t take you.’”