I heard a tragic story on the radio over the weekend about a fatal Muskegon County bicycle accident that occurred Saturday. According to Muskegon Police, a bicyclist was travelling on an overpass over US-31 on Sherman Boulevard when he was allegedly struck by  car. The bicyclist was dead by the time emergency crews responded. Police are still investigating the accident.

I  am very sorry to hear about this tragic accident and affer the family of the bicyclist my most heart-felt condolences. 

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 Muskegon car accident has left one driver dead and another with minor injuries.  The accident occurred on February 12, 2009 when Acklin Hoofman was travelling north on the southbound side of US 31 near Sherman Blvd.  He collided head-on with a Jeep Liberty that then hit a third vehicle.  Acklin Hoofman was killed while the driver of the Jeep Liberty suffered minor injuries.  No one in the third vehicle was injured.

I want to express my sympathies for the loss of Acklin Hoofman.  I hope his family is doing ok.  I also hope that the driver of the Liberty is on the road to a full recovery.

When a person is killed in a car accident, their family should submit a claim for Michigan No Fault survivor loss benefits.  A No Fault survivor loss claim will pay a portion of the funeral costs as well as payments for loss of financial support and loss of household services.  These benefits are available even if the deceased caused the accident.

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 Muskegon Heights car accident has seriously injured a man.  William James Rowe, was discovered lying in the road in the early morning on February 1, 2009.  The hit and run accident occurred on Getty Street and Louis Avenue.  William Rowe suffered head injuries and was in critical condition at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

I am very sorry this accident occurred.  I cannot believe the hit and run driver would just drive off after hitting and obviously injuring another person.  I hope William Rowe pulls through and is able to recovery completely.

In a hit and run accident, many people do not know whether they have any legal rights.  Many people think they must wait until after the other driver is identified before they can file a claim with their car insurance.  This is not true, and, in fact, waiting to file can cause an accident victim to miss deadlines imposed by Michigan’s No Fault Act or by their own insurance policy.  Most insurance companies strictly enforce these deadlines and do not hesitate to completely deny a claim whenever the victim misses a deadline.  They do this because they make more money when they do not pay out claims.

If William Rowe or a family member files a claim for No Fault benefits, he can get his medical bills from this accident paid for.  He may also be able to collect lost wages and other benefits.  In addition, it is likely that he may be able to sue the hit and run driver because his injuries are very severe.  He or a family member should contact a lawyer as soon as they can to discuss this.

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 Muskegon hit and run snowmobile accident has left one man with serious injuries and resulted in possible criminal charges for leaving the scene of an accident.  Levi Coon, 18, was struck by two snowmobiles while pushing a snowblower in the road on December 23, 2008.  He suffered a broken leg.  None of the vehicles stopped.  The drivers were later identified and could face criminal charges for their conduct.

I am very sorry this accident happened, especially since the victim is so young.  I hope he is able to experience a full and speedy recovery.

The most important thing for Levi Coon to worry about is focusing on his recovery.  Neither he nor his parents should have to worry about how they will pay for his medical bills or other costs associated with his accident.  Fortunately, they have legal rights in this situation.

Their legal rights will be determined by the type of snowmobile that struck Levi Coon.  If the snowmobile meets the definition of the term “motor vehicle” as it is used in the Michigan No Fault Act, Levi will be able to collect No Fault insurance benefits.  These benefits cover all reasonable and necessary medical expenses and provide other benefits as well.

If the snowmobile, however, does not meet the definition, the family should strongly consider filing a lawsuit against the drivers of the snowmobiles.  Unlike a criminal trial, this lawsuit will seek payment of medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other money damages instead of jail time or payment of fines to a government agency.  By speaking with a lawyer, Levi Coon could describe the snowmobiles that hit him and the lawyer could better evaluate his case.

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 Muskegon car accident resulted in the death of two motorists on December 5, 2008.  The accident, which ultimately involved three vehicles, occurred when a southbound pickup truck slid across U.S. 131 due to icy roads and hit northbound vehicles.  Michael C. Borre, 49, of Kalamazoo died at the scene while Christopher T. Blaskie, 42, of Battle Creek died later on Friday at the hospital.  It is not clear which driver, if either, was at fault for the accident.

I am very sorry to have read about this accident.  I want to extend my sympathies to these men’s families.

Even though the families are grieving right now, they should file a claim for Michigan No Fault benefits as soon as possible.  A No Fault survivor loss claim will pay for a portion of the funeral costs and provide payments for loss of financial support and loss of household services.  For Christopher Blaskie, No Fault insurance will also pay for his medical expenses.

In addition to their No Fault claim, the family of the driver who was free of fault should consider filing a lawsuit against the driver who was negligent in driving too fast for the prevailing weather and road conditions.  This will let the family collect additional damages such as damages for the deceased’s lost earnings beyond what the No Fault insurance would provide.  The family could also collect damages for their own loss of the deceased’s company and for pain and suffering.  By speaking with a lawyer, they could make an informed decision about whether this is something they want to do.

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 http://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.