Most calculators ask for basic details—age, relationship, income history, and incident type—and then generate a “range.” That can help you think about the types of losses that might be claimed. However, an AI tool typically cannot:
- review police reports, witness statements, and medical records already in the file
- evaluate whether the evidence supports causation (that the defendant’s conduct actually caused the death)
- predict how insurers in Michigan will value the case based on litigation risk
- account for how the defense will attack your timeline, documentation, or liability
In Sturgis, the difference between a rough estimate and a realistic settlement range often comes down to what’s documented early—especially in traffic-related incidents where scene evidence, video, and witness memories can fade.


