I saw a story in the newspaper today about a Dearborn three car accident on M-39 on Monday, October 20th.  According to police, Southfield Freeway (M-39) had to be closed after an alleged three car accident near Rotunda. At least one person was injured and taken to a local hospital. Details are still vague as the police are still investigating this accident.

I  am very sorry to hear about this tragic auto accident and wish any and all injured parties the fullest and speediest recovery possible.

Our Michigan car accident lawyers advise accident victims of their legal rights. For this type of auto accident in Michigan, the injured parties can submit a claim for Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits.  No-Fault benefits will cover their medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the accident.  The injured parties can claim these benefits even if they did not have a Michigan automobile insurance policy.

A Pontiac hit and run car accident has lead to injuries and an arrest.  The accident occurred on December 8, 2008 near the intersection of North Perry and Robinwood streets in Pontiac.   The person hit, who may have been a pedestrian, suffered two broken legs, a broken pelvis, and head trauma.  He is in critical condition at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. 

The driver was apprehended after leaving the scene because a large crowd of people had surrounded a vehicle matching the description outside of Newman Lane Apartments.  A man came out of the building and said he hit the victim after the victim jumped in front of his car.  He was arrested and is being held pending charges for fleeing the scene of an accident, drunken driving, and being caught driving with a suspended license for a fourth time.

I am deeply sorry to have read about this accident.  The victim’s injuries are very serious and I hope he is able to pull through and recover fully.

The first thing to do in an accident like this is to separate the criminal charges which the driver will have to face from the legal issues facing the accident victim.  Criminal charges seek to punish illegal actions through fines or jail time.  A criminal trial is a public action, brought by the prosecutor on behalf of “the people.”  The goal of criminal law is to punish, not compensate the victim.

For compensation, the accident victim should file a claim for Michigan No Fault insurance benefits.  No Fault insurance will pay for all of his medical expenses, including the hospital bills from his current visit and all reasonable and necessary follow-up treatment which is caused by this accident.  No Fault insurance will also pay for a portion of his lost wages for up to three years and for household replacement services and attendant care, among other benefits.

Michigan law allows people who have been very seriously injured in a car accident to file a lawsuit to seek additional compensation.  For example, a lawsuit might seek payments for decreased wages or earnings for longer than the three year period paid by the No Fault insurance.  Or it might seek damages for pain and suffering.  Since this accident victim’s injuries are very severe, this is something he should strongly consider.  A lawyer can help go over the pros and cons with him, but the decision to sue is one he has to make.

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.

A Dearborn car accident has led to the death of a man from Belleville.  The accident occurred on I-94 near Greenfield Road on November 22, 2008.  Bradley Ryan was sitting in his car with the car in park as the freeway reopened after being closed for a highway fire.  Although traffic had resumed normal flow, Bradley Ryan’s car remained in park.  His car was hit by a postal truck.  The accident is still under investigation.

This is a very unfortunate accident.  I want to extend my sympathies to this man’s family.  I am very sorry this accident occurred.

Until the accident investigation is finished, it will be impossible to determine who was at fault for the accident.  This does not prevent Bradley Ryan’s family from getting some immediate assistance with their expenses, however.  They can still file a survivor loss claim with their No Fault insurance company.  Survivor loss benefits will help them pay for a portion of the funeral expenses and will also provide them with payments for loss of financial support and for loss of household services.  The family should speak with a lawyer for help in submitting their survivor loss claim.

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.

A Dearborn bus accident has resulted in the death of an 81-year old woman.  Margaret Zeh tragically died on October 23, 2008 when the driver of a SMART bus stopped suddenly to avoid hitting a car that had veered in front of it on Michigan Avenue near Brady.  Margaret Zeh was a passenger on the bus and was flung out of her wheelchair when the bus stopped.

This is a very tragic accident and I feel terrible for her husband and the rest of her family.  I want to extend my sympathies for their loss.

Although they cannot replace Margaret Zeh, Michigan No Fault benefits can offer some compensation to the family, who can get a payment for a portion of the funeral costs if they submit a survivor loss claim.  In addition, they are able to sue either SMART or the driver of the car for wrongful death and they may receive damages in excess of what is provided by their No Fault insurance.  The family should speak with an experienced Michigan car accident attorney to ensure they submit the proper documentation for their No Fault claim and to help them decide whether to pursue a lawsuit.

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.

An Allen Park Pedestrian§ has been killed in a car accident.  The pedestrian, believed to be 16 years old, was near Allen and Reeck roads when he was struck by a car.  He was taken to Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn where he later died.

This is an extremely tragic accident, especially since the pedestrian was so young.  I am very sorry for this boy’s family.

Many people do not realize that Michigan No Fault benefits are available to assist this family in a terrible time like this.  Even though the boy was probably too young to have his own No Fault insurance policy and even though he was not in a car, the family can still make a survivor loss claim to get all of his medical expenses paid for and a portion of his funeral costs paid for as well.  The reason this is the case is because Michigan No Fault insurance is available to all insured drivers and everyone who lives in the same house as them.  Therefore as long as one person this boy lived with, such as one of his parents, has a No Fault insurance policy, he will be covered under that policy.  Moreover, No Fault insurance covers all accidents involving motor vehicles, but the insurance policies do not require the injured or deceased person to be in a motor vehicle himself.  Therefore since this accident involved a car, the boy can still get No Fault insurance benefits even though he was a pedestrian at the time.

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.