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Michigan Dog Bite Lawyer| Proposed Dog Bite Ordinances

Daniel Buckfire — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:35:20 GMT

Proposed dog bite ordinances are being considered in several Metro-Detroit suburbs. Several cities are considering dangerous or vicious animal ordinances, like the recently-enacted Farmington Hills Dog Bite Ordinance, while others are considering breed-specific ordinances targeting pit bulls and similar dogs. Both sets of ordinances create additional duties for dog owners. Some require dog owners of dangerous animals to carry insurance for their dogs up to a specified amount. These ordinances aim at decreasing the possibility of injuries from dog bites and dog attacks. I encourage anyone interested in living in a safer community to contact their city, village, or township councils and tell them you support a tougher dog bite ordinance.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Daniel Buckfire

Medical Payment Insurance Advice | Michigan Motorcycle Lawyers

Daniel Buckfire — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:28:00 GMT

My friends and my clients often ask me about types of insurance they should buy for their motorcycles. I am always happy to review someone’s insurance policy and give them my recommendation.

One question I am frequently asked is whether a biker should purchase Medical Payment insurance. This type of insurance is commonly known as MED PAY. MED PAY pays for medical expenses if you are involved in many types of accidents, including the following:

An accident with another motorcycle
An accident with no other vehicle, also called a single-bike accident
An accident caused by a road defect

It is important to note that MED PAY does not pay for medical expenses incurred in an accident between a motorcycle and another motor vehicle like a car or truck. But, in this type of accident, both the driver and the motorcyclist would be able to collect No Fault insurance benefits, which would pay all their medical expenses.

MED PAY insurance policies can usually be bought in increments of $5,000.00, up to $25,000.00 in coverage. I recommend bikers purchase as much of this insurance as they can afford to pay. The reason I make this recommendation is because of how the insurance normally works.

Typically, MED PAY coverage is the primary insurance for a motorcycle accident, meaning it will pay benefits before your regular health insurance starts to pay. It pays up to the MED PAY policy limit and then your regular health insurance kicks in.

Since most people have health insurance through their employer, a sudden layoff or downsizing could leave you with little or even no insurance to cover the cost of your medical bills if you are involved in an accident. If you do not have insurance coverage, you will be personally responsible for paying all of your medical bills. However, MED PAY policies are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of healthcare.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Daniel Buckfire

Michigan Car Accident Lawyers | October Most Dangerous Month for Teen Car Accidents

Daniel Buckfire — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:13:00 GMT

October is the most dangerous month for teen drivers to get in a Michigan car accident. A recent report suggests drivers ages 16 and 17 are 20% more likely to get in a car accident in October than any other month of the year. Among all drivers, October has historically seen a 25% spike in the number of car accidents reported. The report credits rainy weather, earlier sunsets and corresponding longer nights, and more deer-related car accidents with causing the surge in car accidents. All drivers should take extra time this month to adjust to changing conditions on the road. Older drivers especially should set a good example for teen age drivers by keeping a careful lookout, paying attention while driving, and avoiding things like talking on the cell phone.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Daniel Buckfire

Port Huron Michigan Car Crash

Larry Buckfire — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:16:24 GMT

Police say the sun was a factor in causing a serious Michigan car accident on Thursday that resulted in injuries to four people. The accident happened afte r7:00 a.m. when a 42-year-old Kimball Township woman rear-ended a van, causing her eastbound car into the westbound lane. She then collided head on with a mail delivery truck.
Kimball Township and Marysville firefighters used a mechanicial extracation device for 40 minutes to free the woman from her car.

The woman was taken to the hospital and her injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Her 14-year-old daughter, a passenger in her car, and the man driving the truck were taken to Mercy Hospital in Port Huron for what are believed to be minor injuries. The girl was released later in the day.

Just three hours after that accident, there was a three car accident in Port Huron. A woman was injured when a driver of a van ran a stop light and caused the accident. Fortunately, her injuries are also not believed to be life threatening.

All of the injury and accident victims can make claims under the Michigan No-Fault Act for payment of medical expenses, lost wages, and other allowable benefits. Some of the injury victims can also make claims for damages against the negligent drivers, depending ultimately on the seriousness of their injuries.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Larry Buckfire

Canton Township Michigan Motorcycle Death

Larry Buckfire — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:17:33 GMT

A very sad story appeared in the local paper yesterday about a Michigan motorcycle accident death. An avid motorcyclist was tragically killed by a motorist trying to flee the police in Canton Township, Michigan. The accident victim, Anthony Salvatore Quasarano, was described as a kind man with a passion for motorcycles, and his friends admired him for his easygoing nature and big smile. He was a member of the Motor City Group of the Harley Owners Group and a road captain.The driver of the fleeing vehicle was arrested and charged with multiple felonies that could lead to a lengthy prison term.

The family of the motorcyclist can pursue a wrongful death case against the motorist and can claim insurance benefits under the Michigan No-Fault law. The insurance laws relating to motorcycle accident injuries are very technical and unique and it is important to find the right lawyer to handle the case. My firm handles a significant number of motorcycle accident cases and we frequently battle with insurance companies to have our motorcyclist clients paid their benefits.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Larry Buckfire

Michigan Truck Accident Lawyer | Michigan Truck Accident Breakdown

Daniel Buckfire — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:24:47 GMT

Michigan truck accident lawyers know truck accidents are becoming more common. A breakdown of Michigan truck accidents confirms this. In fact, trucks are involved in more than 13,000 accidents per year. Trucks account for over 25% of all fatal accidents in Michigan. In 95% of truck accidents there was either property damage, personal injury, or death. With this virtually certain chance of death, injury, or damage, Michigan drivers should always use caution when approaching trucks and continue to educate themselves on the causes of truck accidents. By reading the other Michigan truck accident articles on this website, drivers can educate themselves about how to avoid truck accidents and what to do if they are involved in a truck accident.

When a driver, pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist is hit by a truck, Michigan No Fault benefits are available to the accident victim. No Fault benefits pay for medical expenses, lost wages, household replacement services, attendant care, and other benefits regardless of fault in the accident. In addition, when an accident victim’s injuries are severe, the victim may have a legal claim against the truck driver if the truck driver is at fault in causing the accident. The best way to determine what claims an injured person has is to consult with a lawyer.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Daniel Buckfire

Old Fashion Potato, Minestrone Soups Recalled Due to Undeclared Wheat and Soy

Jenny Albano — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:45:00 GMT

Onion Crock, in conjunction with the FDA, is recalling its Old Fashion Potato and Minestrone soup because the soups may contain wheat or soy that were not listed on the label. People who have allergies to soy or risk could incur severe side effects or even death if they consume this product.

The recalled potato and minestrone soups were sold in restaurants, stores, and through fund-raising companies in Michigan. So far the company and the FDA have not received any reports of illness.

Old Fashion Potato may be packed in one pound frozen pouches (upc # 643640010772) or in four or eight pound pouches (upc codes # 643640001053) with any Best if used by dates of 7/21/09 or earlier. Minestrone packaged in one pound frozen pouches (upc # 64364001111) or in four or eight pound pouches (upc codes # 643640001138) or with any Best if Used by dates of 7/08/09 or earlier.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Michigan Motorcycle Insurance Advice | PLPD

Daniel Buckfire — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:26:00 GMT

People often ask me about the types of insurance someone who is considering buying a motorcycle should buy. I also frequently review insurance policies for my friends, and my clients, and I advise them about their insurance coverage. I am always happy to review someone’s insurance policy and give them my recommendation.

The most important thing to know about motorcycle insurance is that it is different from the insurance for your car. Car insurance is called No Fault insurance, and it is governed by the Michigan No Fault Law. The No Fault Law sets rules and limits on insurance for “motor vehicles” but that law’s definition of the term “motor vehicle” does not include motorcycles. A lot of bikers do not realize this and think because they have No Fault insurance, they are fully covered if they get into an accident. Too often, they only find out about their lack of coverage after they have been injured in an accident.

To register your motorcycle, you will need to provide proof of insurance for at least $20,000/$40,000 public liability and $10,000 property damage coverage (PLPD). Having PLPD means your insurance company will defend you for any claims for personal injury or property damage caused by your negligence. Your insurance company will defend you against these claims and will pay any settlements or judgments against the policy.

These amounts are the minimum amounts required by law. Failing to have these minimums can mean significantly more than risking a ticket if you are pulled over by the police. Failing to have PLPD means your insurance company will not defend claims made against you for your negligence and will mean you cannot collect benefits if you are the victim of someone else’s negligence. That means you will be on your own to pay for costly medical bills and lost wages. These expenses have forced many uninsured bikers into personal bankruptcy.

Whenever people ask me about PLPD, I always encourage them to make sure to insure their motorcycles. I also always recommend that they purchase a policy that adequately protects their assets. For almost everyone, this means purchasing a policy for higher than the minimum amounts required by law. Most people should purchase $100,000/$300,000 coverage since the cost of purchasing the additional coverage is relatively inexpensive as compared to the cost of purchasing the required $20,000/$40,000 policy. With a policy like that, you can sure you will be fairly compensated for your injuries and not left facing significant medical expenses for your treatment.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Daniel Buckfire

Michigan Pediatric Brain Injury Lawyer | Detroit Child Head Injury Lawyer

Daniel Buckfire — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:47:33 GMT

A pediatric brain injury occurs when a child suffers a head injury that causes damage to the brain. Such an injury can be caused by car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other accidents. Brain injuries can also occur at birth if an infant’s oxygen supply is cut off. Each of these situations can severely affect a child’s future and may give rise to a lawsuit for damages to compensate parents for the extra expense of caring for a child with a pediatric brain injury and to compensate the child for a lifetime of decreased earnings. Depending on the severity of the injury, the amount of damages can be significant.

Pediatric brain injuries are often associated with the following symptoms:

Motor skill deficiencies and disabilities
Short attention span or difficulty concentrating
Memory loss or impairment
Difficultly learning new information
Limited ability to follow patterns and sequences
Impulsive behavior and lack of self-control

If a child is involved in any accident that could result in a brain injury, it is important to seek medical attention at once. Because there are often no external signs that a brain injury has occurred, failure to get immediate medical attention often delays diagnosis until well after the injury has occurred. In such circumstances, the diagnosis is typically made only after the child has already failed to reach developmental milestones. This usually increases the costs and hardships of treating the brain injury but can be avoided with prompt medical attention.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Daniel Buckfire

Michigan Property Damage Claims | Michigan Car Accident Lawyer

Daniel Buckfire — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:38:00 GMT

The Michigan car accident lawyers at my law firm are often asked about car repairs and how to submit an insurance claim for property damage following a car accident. Generally, your own insurance company pays for repairs to your car through Collision Insurance.

Drivers are not required to purchase a collision insurance policy by the Michigan No Fault Act. This makes collision insurance different from the basic No Fault Insurance policy that IS required by the Act. Even though the law does not require a driver to buy collision insurance, it is still usually a good idea to purchase a policy if you can afford one. The reason is that if you do not have collision insurance, you will have to pay for the repairs to your car even if you were not at fault in the accident. If you were not at fault, you may be able to collect $500.00 from the negligent driver in a “mini-tort claim,” but this is the most you will be able to collect. If you were at fault, you will not be able to collect anything.

If you do have collision insurance, your insurance company will pay for your car repairs. There are three forms of collision insurance and the type of policy you buy determines what exactly your insurance company will pay.

Limited Collision Coverage: Your insurance company pays for the repairs in an accident that was less than 50% your fault, but you have to pay the deductible. In an accident that is more than 50% your fault, the insurance company pays nothing and you have to pay the full cost of repairs unless you win a $500 mini-tort claim against the other driver.
Standard Collision Coverage: Your insurance company pays for the repairs and it does not matter whose fault the accident was. You still have to pay the deductible.
Broad Collision Coverage: Your insurance company pays for the repairs regardless of who was at fault. You have to pay the deductible if you were more than 50% at fault, but you do not have to pay the deductible if you were less than 50% at fault.

So far, we have been talking about repairs to your car, but what if the other car is damaged?

First, DO NOT offer to pay for repairs to the other person’s car, even if you believe you were at fault. Such a statement is admissible in court if the other person files a lawsuit, and you may be liable for significantly more money than the law would require you to pay. Also, most accidents happen so fast, it is often impossible for one driver to determine accurately who was at fault. The best way to determine fault is to have both sides tell their stories and to use evidence from the police report, accident reconstruction experts, and witnesses who were not involved in the accident themselves.

Next, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS under the law. If you have insurance for your car, the most you will have to pay for repairs to the other car is the deductible for the other car. The maximum amount is $500.00. If the other car is uninsured, the other driver may elect to pursue a mini-tort claim against you, and the most you would have to pay is $500.00, even if the total costs of repair are much higher. Moreover, many times your own insurance company will pay the deductible or the mini-tort award.

The best thing to do is consult with an experienced Michigan car accident attorney to determine exactly what type of coverage you have and who has to pay for what in an accident. You should also contact your car insurance agent to evaluate whether the type of insurance policy you have is best suited to your needs.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Daniel Buckfire