A Holland Township bicycle accident has tragically killed an 11-year old boy.  Gievanni Grimaldo was riding his bike to school when he was struck by two cars on Riley Street near Westland Street.  Police are still investigating the accident, but their initial investigations have revealed neither driver was speeding and Gievanni was wearing dark clothing.

This is a terrible tragedy and my sympathies extend to the Grimaldo family and this boy’s friends.  Anytime someone’s life is cut short by a car accident it is painful, but it is especially bad when the victim is so young.

My law firm represents people injured in car accidents and, too often, we represent people whose children are killed in car accidents.  Many times, people think that children are not eligible for No Fault insurance benefits because they are too young to drive and do not have their own policies.  This is completely false.  In fact, as long as a child who has been injured or killed in a car accident lives with someone who has a No Fault policy, they are covered by that policy exactly as if they were the policyholder.  In an accident like this one, that means the Grimaldo family could get a No Fault survivor loss benefit which would pay for a portion of the funeral costs and possibly other benefits as well.  In addition, the Grimaldo family likely has a wrongful death claim against one or both of the drivers who hit Gievanni.  The best thing they could do is contact a lawyer to assist them in handling their claims.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, ““The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information. 

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com   If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

The Detroti Free Press reports that an off-duty Detroit Police officer and his female companion suffered serious injuries last Wednesday in Detroit motorcycle accident.  The accident occurred near Linwook and Davison in Detroit when a woman driving a Dodge Shadow made an illegal U-Turn in front of their motorcycle.  The riders were thrown from the bike and suffered serious injuries require hospitalization.

I hope that the injured riders have speedy recovery and wish them the best of the health.  I represent injured bikers and frequently see this occurrence.  It seems that motorists simply either do not pay attention to motorcyclists or just ignore their rights.  The consequences can be devastating.

In a case like this one, the first thing that I do is file No-Fault Insurance claims for the injured riders. This provides them with payment of medical expenses, lost wages, and other benefits for their recovery.  I also hire an investigator to fully investigate the accident and take witness statements.  Because we also make claims for injuries and damages against the negligent motorist, this is essential to the case.

For more information on Michigan car accident cases like this one, you should request our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook,” by clicking on the book link.  Also, visit our website at www.BuckfireLaw.com or call me at (800) 606-1717.

Our Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers frequently represent bikers with serious and catastrophic injuries.  This includes road rash, an term used to refer to skin and bone injuries caused by abrasion with road surfaces.  This injury is also seen frequently in bicycle accidents, skateboarding accidents, and inline skating accidents.  The injuries can often be serious and permanent.

Road rash injuries from motorcycle accidents are often the most severe.  This is simply because of the speed of the bike at the time of the injury and often because of defects in the road surfaces that cause severe injuries.  Many bikers also do not wear protective clothing that would reduce the severity of the injury. 

Also, it is important to obtain prompt treatment for these injuries to reduce the risk of infection and permanent damage.  Minor injuries can often be treated at home with proper care, but more severe injuries required medical intervention at a hospital or with an experienced physician.

A biker who suffers road rash injuries in a Michigan motorcycle accident can seek compensation from a negligent motorist that caused the accident.  Because these injuries often result in permanent scarring and disfigurement, the motorcyclist can claim these injuries as part of a damages claim in his or her Michigan motorcycle accident case.

To learn more about your rights if you were injured in a Michigan motorcycle accident, visit our web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com or call us at (800) 606-1717.

I read a tragic story about a Kalamazoo bicyclist who was killed last night by a suspected drunk driver. It happened on Sprinkle Road near I-94. The driver apparently attempted to flea the scene but was caught by police. It is likely that serious criminal charges will be coming.

The family of the biker can pursue several types of claims related to this case. First, there are no-fault insurance claims for funeral expenses and other survivor loss benefits that can be claimed. This is true even if the biker did not own a car or have car insurance. The family could also pursue a Michigan wrongful death case against the neglgient motorist.

For more information on Michigan car accident claims, you can request my book “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” for free or visit our website at www.Buckfirelaw.com You can also call me and ask any questions at (800) 606-1717

Michigan motorcycle insurance accident lawyers must have specialized knowledge in insurance claims that can be made by an injured biker.  The Michigan no-fault insurance laws for these motorcycle insurance claims can be complex and confusing.  In order to receive insurance benefits, the motorcycle must be insured with liability coverage.  It is not required that the bike have no-fault insurance benefits.

Once insurance for the claim is verified, the accident and injuries must “arise” from another motor vehicle, which would be either a car or truck.  In many instances, there would be actual contact or a collision between a motor vehicle and the motorcycle.  This clearly satisfies the “arise” requirement to qualify for No-Fault benefits.

 However, many Michigan motorcycle accident insurance companies and  attorneys do not know that there does not have to be actual contact with the motor vehicle to have the accident “arise” from the use of a motor vehicle.  There is no requirement that the motorcycle actually collide with or be struck by either a car or truck, but rather that there was some involvement with the motor vehicle that caused the accident. 

For example, if the motorcycle was forced off of the roadway by a motor vehicle, the accident would arise from the use of a motor vehicle.  Or, if two motorcycles collided because a truck unlawfully entered into a lane of traffic and caused the bikers to collide, it would arise from the use of a motor vehicle.  This is a very important distinction which must be evaluated on a case by case basis.

The relevant law regarding this issue is below for your review.  These issues become complicated and you should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to discuss your rights.  Feel free to call me anytime and I will be happy to give you legal advice and answer your questions.