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Cayuta man and his family
face many challenges ahead

Family and friends create a GoFundMe account to help a Schuyler County man who was critically injured last month in a Route 13 car crash.

By Mike Brown
Ziff Law Firm, Elmira

A Schuyler County family is facing hard times after a tragic car crash last month.

A GoFundMe account has been established by the family and friends of a Cayuta man who was critically injured on April 18 when his vehicle was struck head-on by another driver who crossed the center line on State Route 13 in Schuyler County, just north of Alpine Junction.

Douglas Collins, 34, was airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre after the crash and rushed into surgery. He suffered a shattered left pelvis, shattered left hip socket, broken ribs, shattered right ankle, shattered right kneecap, and a cut to his right eyelid that required plastic surgery. His family said he has required five surgeries so far with at least two more planned in the coming weeks, and faces a recovery that will take many months.

His passenger, Brian McClean Jr., 22, also of Cayuta, was transported to Robert Packer by ambulance with a broken left wrist.

The Ziff Law Firm is representing Douglas and Brian. but sadly, even with every penny of the available insurance coverage, it simply won't be enough to cover Douglas's substantial medical and family expenses.

New York State's no-fault coverage of just $50,000 is often inadequate when just a single Life Flight to a hospital can cost almost $40,000. That's why Schuyler County drivers should review their car insurance with a trusted local insurance agent who can go over the policy to ensure there is adequate insurance coverage.

Douglas, a father of four, suffered catastrophic injuries, so the GoFundMe is an important way to help him, his wife Angela, and their children bridge the financial gap in the months ahead as he starts his long recovery. Douglas and Brian work for James Wolfe Auto Repair in Newfield.

To help the Collins family, click here.

State Police and the Schuyler County Sheriff's Department said Annette M. Osborn, 50, of Campbell, was killed at about 1 p.m. on April 18 when her southbound vehicle crossed the center line and struck two other vehicles about a mile and a half north of the intersection with State Route 224 in Alpine Junction.

Osborn's vehicle struck the side of a car driven by Corrine B. Taylor, 25, of Elmira, and then struck Douglas's car head-on. Taylor was treated for minor injuries at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca and released.

Thanks for reading,

Mike Brown

Photo in text: Attorney Mike Brown.

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