A Paw Paw car accident has resulted in severe injuries to a child.  Pauletta Hurd, a 12-year old girl from Paw Paw, was injured after being hit by a car on February 16, 2009.  The accident occurred while she was crossing Michigan Avenue near Gremps Street because the driver of the car had not fully cleared the ice off of his windshield.  Pauletta Hurd was properly in the crosswalk when she was hit.  The car dragged her for a short distance and she had cuts and scrapes on her head and face.

This accident is terrible but thankfully Pauletta Hurd was not killed.  I hope her injuries are not severe, and I hope this driver is held accountable for his carelessness.  I was pleased to see he had been cited for careless driving.

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, many people do not realize the pedestrian can still submit a claim for Michigan No Fault benefits.  This claim can be made for medical expenses, attendant care, household replacement services, and all of the other standard No Fault benefits.

In addition to the claim for No Fault benefits, Pauletta Hurd may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver that hit her.  She could do this if she were very seriously injured.  Because she is a minor, the court would likely appoint a Guardian or Next Friend to handle the lawsuit and protect her interests.  This person is usually the parent or legal guardian of the child.

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 Livingston County truck accident closed U.S. 23 for over an hour and sent one man to the hospital.  The accident occurred on January 26, 2009 on southbound U.S. 23 when a Howell man was rear-ended by a semi truck in Green Oak Township.  The semi then went to the right shoulder of the road and jackknifed before striking the guardrail and finally coming to a stop in a northbound lane.  The semi hit 6 vehicles and sent one Howell man to the hospital.  There was no report on his condition.

I am very sorry this accident occurred.  I hope that the injured man is able to make a full and speedy recovery.

When someone has been injured in a truck accident, there are usually at least two possible claims that arise out of the accident.  First anyone injured should file a claim for Michigan No Fault car insurance benefits.  No Fault insurance will pay for all reasonable medical expenses, a portion of the lost wages, and provide a payment for any chores around the house that the victim normally did prior to the accident.  Other benefits are also available for more seriously injured people.

Second, when a person suffers severe injuries because of another driver’s negligence, that person may be able to file a lawsuit against the other driver.  This lawsuit will allow the accident victim to collect additional damages from the other driver, or in a case like this one, the truck driver’s employer.  Accident victims can sue only when the injuries are very severe, so anyone injured in an accident should discuss their injuries and the circumstances of the accident with a lawyer as soon as they can.

For more information about Michigan truck accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan truck 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 Hamtramck car accident has resulted in the death of a 22-year old man on January 1, 2009.  The hit and run accident occurred when the victim was crossing Commor Street at the I-75 service drive.  According to witnesses, the car dragged the man for several hundred feet before driving off.  The man died at the scene.

This is an incredibly brutal car accident, and I feel terrible for the family of this young man.  I always hate hit and run accidents, but dragging a fellow human being for that long is reprehensible.

The first thing the family should do is to submit a claim to their Michigan No Fault insurance company.  A No Fault survivor loss claim will provide them with a payment for a portion of the funeral cost.  It will also provide them payments for loss of financial support and loss of household services.

Beyond these insurance benefits, the family would be able to sue the driver who caused the accident for wrongful death.  If the hit and run driver is identified the family will be able to sue that person.  If the driver is never found or identified, the family may still be able to collect the same benefits if the victim had uninsured motorist coverage through her car insurance.  If the family has any questions about this, they should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss their insurance policies and other options.

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 Cassopolis car accident has resulted in the death of a woman from the city.  Lucinda Wigton, 52, was killed by a hit and run driver on December 29, 2008.  The accident occurred on M-60 near Reed Street.

I am very sorry this accident occurred.  I know it must be especially difficult for the family since this accident happened over the holidays.  I want to extend my sympathies to them.

When there is a hit and run accident, many people do not know what they can do.  This is unfortunate, because people who are injured or killed in hit and run accidents actually have several options open to them.  First, the family should submit a claim to their Michigan No Fault insurance company.  A No Fault survivor loss claim will provide them with a payment for a portion of the funeral cost.  It will also provide them payments for loss of financial support and loss of household services.

Beyond these benefits, the family would be able to sue the driver who caused the accident for wrongful death.  If the hit and run driver is identified the family will be able to sue that person.  If the driver is never found or identified, the family may still be able to collect the same benefits if Lucinda Wigton had uninsured motorist coverage through her car insurance.  If the family has any questions about this, they should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss their insurance policies and other options.

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 Holland Township car accident has injured three women.  The accident occurred on December 22, 2008 on James Street near 142^nd Avenue.  Cori Lynn Price, 21, of Holland, lost control of her vehicle, which slid across the centerline and struck a car driven by Nancy Moore, also of Holland.  Cori Price and her mother Judy Lynn Price were pinned inside the car and had to be extricated by the Holland Township Fire Department before being taken to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids with critical injuries.  Nancy Moore was taken to Holland Hospital with serious injuries.

I am very sorry this accident occurred.  I hope all three victims pull through and have a full recovery.

All of the women injured in this accident are eligible to receive Michigan No Fault benefits.  Their insurance companies are obligated to pay all reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including hospital bills and follow-up treatment.  Their insurance companies are also obligated to pay a portion of lost wages, up to $20 per day for household replacement services, and reasonable rates for attendant care, among other benefits.

If a driver or passenger has been severely injured by a negligent driver, that person can sue the at-fault driver for their injuries.  Based on news report, it appears Cori Price was at fault, which means Judy Price and Nancy Moore may be able to sue her.  Both of them should discuss this with a lawyer so they can decide, first, if their injuries are severe enough that they have the option of filing a lawsuit, and, second, if they do in fact want to sue.  Judy Price can sue her own daughter, and she should strongly consider it if her injuries are very bad, since this lawsuit will be paid for and defended by their insurance company.

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.