Flint resident, Andrew Sheppard, was injured in a Flint hit and run car crash on May 2, 2009 on Mission Street in Flint.  He was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Christofer Leavitt at the time of the accident.  Mr. Leavitt allegedly left the scene of the accident and has been arraigned on three felonies and 2 misdemeanors in connection with the crash, including opertaing a vehicle while intoxicated, fleeing the scene of an accident, felonious driving, operating while intoxicated and reckless driving.

Andrew Sheppard sustained serious injuries in the accidenet.  According to reports, he was left comatose in a Genesee County hospital with possible head injuries, several broken ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the crash.  I am very sorry hear that this accident happened and I hope that he is able to recover completely from his injuries.

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

In addition, the injury victims may be able to file a lawsuit against the person driving the car.  In this lawsuit, he can claim damages and compensation for the injuries suffered in the accident.  The insurance company for the negligent driver typically pays a settlement for this type of case.  Another possible claim would be a potential Michigan dram shop case against the seller or furnisher of the  alcohol before the accident.

An experienced Michigan car accident lawyer can assist the victim with this type of claim.  Accident victims should not speak with the insurance adjuster for the negligent driver before consulting with an attorney.

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 Grand Rapids car accident has resulted in the tragic deaths of the two teens.  Jacob Polen, 17, and David Todd, 18, died in a car accident on February 11, 2009.  The accident occurred on Grand Rapids Road near U.S. 24 when the driver, Glen Walbolt, 56, was likely speeding, ran flashing red lights at U.S. 24, and lost control of the car.  The car was split in two when it hit a utility poll.  Both Jacob Polen and David Todd were students at Ostego High School.  Police suspect alcohol was a factor but are waiting on lab reports for confirmation.

This accident is a real tragedy, especially because the victims are so young.  I want to express my sympathies to their families.

In an accident like this, the families of the boys have a number of legal options.  First, they should each submit a survivor loss claim to their Michigan No Fault insurance provider.  Survivor loss benefits include a payment for part of the funeral and payments for loss of household services.

Second, the families can sue the driver, Glenn Walbolt for wrongful death.  This lawsuit would allow them to collect benefits that are not covered by No Fault insurance, such as loss of the family relationship, and other damages.

Third, if alcohol was in fact involved in the accident, the families may be able to file a dram shop claim against a bar or restaurant that served alcohol to Glenn Walbolt.

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 Saginaw truck accident occurred outside the Redmond Truck and Auto building on Washington Avenue on November 7, 2008.  The accident caused the death of Louis Mathious and severely injured Dion Sibley and Eddie Sibley.  High speed, alcohol, not wearing seat belts, and the condition of the curb and road all factored into the crash.

This is a tragedy, especially since the report makes it clear that several accidents have happened at this location in the past.  In fact, the owner of the building treated this as routine until he realized someone had died.  There is simply no reason this accident had to occur.

Even though many factors contributed to this accident, all three people involved are able to receive Michigan No Fault benefits.  No Fault insurance benefits are available regardless of fault.  No Fault insurance will pay for medical expenses, lost wages, household replacement services, and attendant care.  In addition, the Mathious family can submit a survivor loss claim to receive a portion of the funeral costs.  Finally, Louis Mathious’s estate and Eddie Sibley may be able to sue either Dion Sibley as the driver or a bar or restaurant that served her alcohol to collect additional damages beyond what their No Fault insurance provides.

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 Grand Rapids car accident has resulted in serious injuries for a 29-year old Grandville man.  Kevin Vangilder was seriously injured in a car accident that occurred at Eastern and Colbrook early morning on October 26, 2008.  He was riding in the backseat of a car involved in an accident and was not wearing his seatbelt.  He was thrown into the car’s windshield and is being treated for head injuries.  The driver, a 39-year old woman from Grand Haven, suffered non-life threatening injuries.  A front seat passenger was not injured in the accident.  It is unclear what caused the accident, and police are still investigating, although alcohol is believed to be a factor.

It is a real tragedy that this accident happened and that the injuries were so severe.  I hope that Kevin Vangilder and the driver are able to experience a full recovery from their injuries.

My law firm represents people injured in car accidents.  Both people injured in this accident are eligible for Michigan No Fault insurance benefits.  No Fault insurance will pay for all medical expenses and a portion of any wages lost because of the accident.  No Fault insurance may also provide them with additional benefits depending on the severity of their injuries.  Additionally, if Kevin Vangilder’s injuries are very severe, he may be able to sue his driver for additional damages.  Although my clients are sometimes hesitant to sue someone they know, I always remind them that the lawsuit is actually against the driver’s insurance company.  Finally, if alcohol was in fact involved, Kevin Vangilder may be able to sue a bar or restaurant that served the driver alcohol.

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 suspected drunk driver from Troy struck a bicyclist from Clawson last week.  The accident occurred near 14 Mile Road and Main Street when the driver pulled out of a parking spot near the Black Lotus Brewery.  The bicyclist had been riding his bicycle in the northbound lane of Main Street.  The man was transported to Beaumont Hospital with internal injuries and severe head trauma.  Weather conditions and roadside construction may have contributed to the accident, however, the driver also blew a 0.17 on a preliminary Breathalyzer test, which is over twice the legal limit.

This is a truly senseless accident and I was very sorry to have read about it.  I hope that the bicyclist has a complete and speedy recovery.

Too often, I encounter people who do not know what rights they have when they are involved in a car accident.  They frequently do not realize that Michigan law offers them some many recourses if they have been severely injured.  Michigan No Fault insurance provides for payment of all medical expenses including the hospital bills incurred at the time of the accident and any reasonable and necessary medical expense required by the accident.  No Fault insurance also covers a portion of lost wages, payment for household replacement services, and payment for supervised attendant care after a patient is released from the hospital.  In addition, people who are seriously injured can sue the other drivers for negligence, and when a drunk driver is involved, they may be able to sue the bar or restaurant that served the drunk driver alcohol.  The best way to determine someone’s rights after a car accident would be to consult an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer.

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.