Ford Announces Production Of Medium-Duty Truck In US

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On Wednesday, August 12, 2015, Metro Detroit based Ford Motor Company announced that there will now be the production of medium-duty trucks in the United States. According to the Detroit Free Press, Ford's F-650 and F-750 trucks were previously made in Mexico at a joint venture plant with Navistar. The production of these trucks has now moved to Avon Lake, Ohio. By moving the work to Ohio, around 1,400 American jobs are created.

“Our investment in Ohio Assembly Plant reinforces our commitment to building vehicles in America and to delivering best-in-class commercial trucks,” said Joe Hinrichs in a statement, Ford president of the Americas. “Working with our partners in the UAW, we found a way to make the costs competitive enough to bring production of a whole new generation of work trucks to Ohio.”

Before the announcement of the F-650 and F-750 production at the Avon Lake plant, the plant built the E-series van. The van was discontinued in the summer of 2014, but the plant continues to make the E-series cutaway vans and chassis that are used in other vehicles such as ambulances. The F-650 and F-750 trucks are available in regular, crew, and super cab body styles, and are equipped with a 6.7-liter V8 diesel engine. Ford also offers an alternative version of both trucks with a 8.8-liter V10 gasoline engine, which can be converted to run on liquid propane gas or natural gas.

Last month, on Tuesday, July 27, 2015, Ford reported their earnings of $1.9 billion, which was a new quarterly profit record in North America. These record numbers had a lot to do with the Ford Explorer and trucks becoming more popular, especially with gas prices falling. With vehicles like the F-150, F-650, and F-750, Ford hopes to further increase these sales and possibly make a new record for next quarter.

If you are ever involved in an accident involving a pick-up truck, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with all types of personal injury accidents. We will work to ensure you obtain all benefits you are entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Woodward Dream Cruise And It's Competition

woodward cruise accident lawyer

This upcoming weekend in Metro Detroit, is one of the biggest car events in the world, the Woodward Dream Cruise. Despite being one of the most popular automotive events, it has a lot of competition in the state of Michigan alone. According to the Detroit News, the dream cruise is just one of hundreds of classic car shows in Michigan this summer. This upcoming weekend, ranging from Livonia to Menominee in the Upper Peninsula, there are ten other auto events.

With so many car shows around the state, car enthusiasts can stay in their local areas and attend a show instead of making the long trek to metro Detroit. Although all of these other car shows exist on the same weekend, year after year, making it easier for people to attend an event closer to them, drivers from all over the state and country travel to Woodward. The organizers of the event don't keep attendance records, but it is estimated that numbers have jumped from 250,000 attendees during the first year, to over one million in recent years.

The most important aspect of the Woodward Dream Cruise, which gathers so many people, is the consistency. Each year, the Dream Cruise is held on the 3rd Saturday of August, from 9am to 9pm, on Woodward Avenue, from Ferndale to Pontiac. It's arguable that the event is the biggest one-day celebration of car culture in the world. If you want to see older cars from 1908 to 1970, you're more than likely going to see them. In addition to these rare cars, exotic cars, muscle cars, and hot rods will be in attendance too.  For more information about the Woodward Dream Cruise, click here.

During the Woodward Dream Cruise there are thousands of cars on the road and it can get very crowded at sometimes, potentially leading to motor vehicle crashes. If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of car and motorcycle crashes. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today. 

Mother Leaves Children In Car While At The Bar

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On Sunday, August 9, 2015, Florida police arrested a mother after witnesses reported to the police that she left two young children in the back of her SUV while she was drinking in a bar. According to NBC News, the mother, April King, 35, was arrested in Apopka, Florida, on suspicion of child neglect. Police said that King was seen at Frogger's bar by the general manager and four other people just before 1pm on Sunday. Despite being spotted by multiple people, King denied that she was there, and told police that she only left the children in the car for a brief moment, while she went into an AT&T store.

King was interview by the police and after she was described as lethargic and slurring her speech. Officers also said that while she was being questioned by the police, her 4-year-old son was seen blowing into a breathalyzer that was required to start the car. King said she had only had the interlock device for two days. Police then reported that King spent a considerable amount of time avoiding blowing. The children were unharmed and cleared by paramedics at the scene, and King was arrested on the spot.

Every year, children die from being left alone in dangerously hot cars. According to the  Kids and Cars Organization, on average, 38 children die in hot cars each year from heat-related deaths. Even if you are a very responsible parent, sometimes you can unknowingly leave them in a vehicle for too long, which can result in injury or death. When the windows are closed, the car acts just like a greenhouse. Light from the sun comes through the glass windows and is absorbed by the seats, dashboards, steering wheel, and other areas. Children generally have a lower tolerance of heat than adults. Even when children are left for a short amount of time, it can be very dangerous and cause serious injury.

If you or your children are ever injured in a car from heat-related issues, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with all types of personal injury accidents. We will work to ensure you obtain all benefits you are entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Michigan Teenager Killed In Crash With Gravel Hauler

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On Monday, August 11, 2015, a 17-year-old was killed in an auto accident involving a Gravel Hauler, on I-696 ramp in Farmington Hills. According to CBS Detroit, investigators say that teenager Ian Scott Taylor, lost control of his vehicle on the I-696 ramp from Grand River to I-275, and crashed into a gravel hauler construction vehicle around 3 pm. Officials have stated that they believe that dangerously excessive speed was a factor in the tragic Michigan auto accident.

After the initial investigation, police revealed that the gravel hauler was heading westbound on the I-696 ramp to I-275, when Taylor tried to merge into the highway traffic from the Grand River Avenue entrance. While attempting to merge, Taylor lost control of his Ford Focus, entered the path of the gravel hauler, and was broadsided on the driver's side of his car. Taylor was announced dead at the crash site, and the truck driver, who was deemed to be not at fault, was not injured. After the crash, the freeway ramp was closed for around four hours, while police investigated.

According to the CDC, the leading cause for teen death in the United States is motor vehicle crashes. In 2011, 2,650 teens in the US aged 16-19 were killed and around 292,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in accidents. On average, seven teenagers aged from 16-19 died every day from a car accident. People in the United States aged from 15-24 represent 14% of the population. However, they account for 30% of the total costs of auto accident injuries for men, and 28% for women.

If you or someone you know is a young driver and has been injured in a car or motorcycle accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers are here to help you with questions about insurance problems, medical expenses, and pain and suffering benefits as allowed by Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Doctor's Appointment

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At times, going to the doctor's office for a medical evaluation or treatment can be stressful. When you are at the doctor's office, you get poked with needles, asked a lot of questions, and on top of this, most of the time you don't feel well. Additionally, there are many other reasons as to why people get worried, stressed, or anxious at the doctor's office. People tend to be worried in case the doctor finds anything serious, people are worried that they will forget to tell the doctor something important, and much more. In order to help you feel more comfortable, Medivizor has put together tips to help you feel more confident and have a better trip to the doctor's office after an injury accident.   We have divided the tips into before visiting the doctor, and what to do at the doctor's office.

What should you do before a doctor's appointment?

The first tip involves an activity called list writing. When you are comfortable in a relaxed setting, sit down and write down all of your symptoms and known injuries on a sheet of paper. This can help you make sure that you tell the doctor about all of your symptoms, and with the list you don't have to worry about forgetting something. Another tip before going to the office is to do some research on your own. Just by googling your symptoms and getting an idea of what's wrong, can help you and the doctor in the office setting. One last tip for before visitng the doctor or medical provider is to leave your embarrassment at home. Doctors have spent years training and understand the human body, and are typically very professional. Although some topics may not be “table talk”, they are appropriate in the medical office environment.

What should you do at a doctor's appointment?

When going to the doctor's office, one thing that makes people feel comfortable is bringing a close friend or family member. They can comfort you as well as take notes, and even talk to the doctor in case you forget to mention something important. Another good piece of advice is using the strategy of "teach back." Teach back is a strategy to make sure you remember and understand what the doctor tells you. If your doctor tells you something important, repeat it back to him and ask any questions if you are unsure. This way you remember what he tells you, and you understand why. Lastly, don't fear asking questions. Before you leave the doctor's office you should be able to answer these three questions by yourself.

  • What's my main medical problem?

  • What do I need to do after a doctor's appointment?

  • Why is it important for me to do this after seeing a doctor?

When you go to the doctor's office, make sure you find the answers to these three questions. This will help you understand what exactly is wrong with you and what you need to do in order to fix the problem and feel better.

When you suffer an injury in a motor vehicle crash, one of the first things you should do is see your doctor, find out what's wrong with you, and figure out what you need to do in order to recover and feel healthy. In addition to this, if you have been injured in any type of car accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are here to help you with questions about insurance problems, medical expenses, and pain and suffering benefits as allowed by Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Knox County, Tennessee Changes Bus Policies After Accident

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On Monday, August 10, 2015, Knox County Schools in Tennessee started the new school year. According to Local 8 Tennessee News, on Friday, August 7, the superintendent of Knox County Schools spoke at West Haven Elementary school in order to discuss and speak about what is being done to keep the kids safe from school bus accidents. Last year, in December 2014, a school bus driver was texting while driving, which led to an auto accident where two students and a teachers aide were killed.

"We're looking at all of our protocols. We're looking at all of our practices. All of the policies that we have in place, and everything that we do to see if there are places where we can be more efficient," says Dr. McIntyre – Knox County School's superintendent. "To see if there are places where we can be more effective. To see if there are places where we can enhance the work that we do and the safety of our children."

In order to prevent more catastrophic school bus accidents from happening again, the school officials are implementing some changes. They are now requiring drivers to take additional hours of school bus driver training with law enforcement. They are also enforcing a safety check system, where police officers, deputies, or even school security guards can enter the buses at random, in order to check on drivers and the students to diminish the risk of school bus crashes. This system should start in September 2015 and will happen periodically throughout the year. In addition to these changes, they have also committed to installing two-way cameras into every school bus, so bus drivers and students can be monitored at all times to ensure even more safety and cut down on these tragic accidents.

If you have been injured in a car, motorcycle, or bus accident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of car and motorcycle crashes. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

Michigan Bicyclist Dies In Hit-And-Run Accident

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On Saturday, August 8, 2015, a 50-year-old woman from Lake Orion, Michigan, named Susan Cummings, was participating in a group bicycle ride across the lower peninsula of Michigan, when she died in a hit-and-run accident. According to Click On Detroit, Susan was part of a 150 mile group biking trip from Montague to Bay City. She was participating in the long bike ride to raise money for a charitable cause.

Near the beginning of the bike ride, around 7 am, Susan was hit by a pick up truck in Montague Township in Muskegon County. Susan had been training for this event months in advance. She wanted to be able to complete the ride along with 100 other bikers in order to raise money for the Hope Water Project, which is a charity that builds wells in Kenya. Susan supported this charity for many years, running marathons and completing other bike rides.

At the time of the accident, Susan was riding with four other bikers, including her teammate, Bill Clark. Clark told authorities that their group was riding in a single file line and that Susan was near the back of the group when she was hit. Investigators are currently searching for a gray four door pickup truck that sits slightly higher than a normal truck. The truck will more than likely have damage to it, as parts of it were found at the crash site. On Saturday, the riders raised $50,000. The charity said it was in her honor, and that the money will help build two wells in Kenya.

If you are ever involved in an accident, whether it involves a car, motorcycle, or bicycle, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with all types of personal injury accidents. We will work to ensure you obtain all benefits you are entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Can a Hybrid Car Save You $$$?

According to lifehacker, a new tool is now available to learn how long it takes for a hybrid car to save you money and how long it will take to pay off.   This tool breaks down the gasoline savings for various hybrid models.

The EPA based their numbers on the following estimates, but you have the option to customize these estimates:
$2.66 per gallon estimated for regular fuel
$3.05 for premium fuel
15,000 annual miles; 55% city, 45% highway
Of course, there are other factors to consider, like insurance, maintenance, and resale value. They point out that this isn’t taken into consideration simply because those factors can vary so much. So keep in mind—these are just ballpark figures.

Click here to visit the US Department of Energy website featuring this hybrid cost and savings prediction data. 

Hybrid Crash Lawyer

What Makes a Hybrid Car a Hybrid?

The DEA advises that "[h]ybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to obtain different objectives, such as improved fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools."  Hybrid cars may combine any of the following technologies in order to maintain fuel efficiency and hybrid vehicle status.

  • Regenerative Breaking
  • Electric Motor Drive/Assist
  • Fuel-Efficient System Design
  • Automatic Start/Shutoff

What is the Difference Between a Mild Hybrid and a Full Hybrid Car?

Mild Hybrid Cars

The DEA advises that mild hybrids, also known as micro hybrids utilize both a battery and electric motor to power the car, and may allow the engine to shut off as the vehicle stops, which significantly benefits the hybrid car's fuel economy.  These types of hybrids are not able to run solely on electricity alone, they are usually cheaper than full hybrids, but the main sacrifice is that they do not have quite the fuel economy that the full hybrid vehicles feature.

Full Hybrid Cars

Full hybrids vehicles typically have more powerful electric motors and larger batteries than the mild hybrids.  Some full hybrids can travel on electricity alone for short distances or when the car is traveling at slower speeds in the city.  The benefit of full hybrids is that they provide the best fuel economy, but they are typically more costly than the mild hybrids or standard vehicles. 

New Chevrolet Volt Can Travel 53 Miles on Electricity

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On Tuesday, August 4, 2015, General Motors announced that the new 2016 Chevrolet Volt, which is going on sale this upcoming fall, has a range of 53 miles on electricity. According to the Detroit Free Press, the range of 53 is higher than the automaker's prediction that the car would reach under 50 miles with just battery power alone. The range of this Volt is nearly a 40% improvement from last year's model, which only had a range of 38 miles. With the the added range, GM hopes that this new model of the Volt will help improve sales.

"We pushed to get every one-tenth of a mile we could," said Pam Fletcher, GM's chief engineer for electrified vehicles, in an interview at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminar in Traverse City, "We knew we had to get 50 miles.At 50 miles, most people will be in electric mode most of the time.”

Today's Volt users use the electrical power on 80% of all of their trips. With the new and improved battery range, it is expected that users will be able to rely on their car's battery power for more than 90% of their time on the road. GM also expects current Volt owners to upgrade and buy the newer model. So far this year, Volt sales have been disappointing for GM. They only sold 1,313 Volts in July, which is down 35% from a year ago. In total, they have sold less than 7,000 this year so far, also down 35% from last year. Chevy Volts are however a relatively popular car in the Metro Detroit area.

If you have been injured in a car crash involving an electrical vehicle or any other type of car, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys specialize in all types of auto accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today. 

Mother Killed In Detroit By Hit-And-Run Drivers

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On Tuesday, August 4, 2015, a 36-year-old mother was killed by hit-and-run drivers while helping a woman in a wheelchair cross the street. The accident happened around 10 pm, on 7 Mile Road at Beland Street, between Outer Drive and Hoover Street, on Detroit's west side. According to CBS Detroit, relatives say that the victim Darlene Austin was helping a woman in a wheelchair cross the street outside of her home, when she was struck by two cars after she slipped and fell. Both drivers fled the scene after hitting Darlene. After Darlene was hit she was rushed to a local hospital where she died.

Neighbors of Darlene Austin said that  new LED street lights were installed in the area, and at the time they were not working. Neighbors also mentioned that it's common to see cars speeding by on their street. Police are currently searching for the vehicles that fled. One of the vehicles is described as an old blue pickup truck with a ladder rack, and the other car has an unknown description. The Austin family is begging for those who committed the crime to turn themselves in.

"There is no such thing as a snitch," said Austin's cousin Carmeshia Thomas. "If it was your family member you would want somebody to speak up. Please speak up and help us. Help us get closure."

Hit-and-run accidents are increasing each year. According to USA Today, the National Highway Traffic Administration says the number of hit-and-run crashes is trending upward. In 2009 there were 1,274, in 2010 there were 1,393, and in 2011 there were 1,449. Although hit-and-run accidents increased over this 3 year period, traffic deaths overall fell by 4.5%.

If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are here to help you with questions about insurance problems, medical expenses, and pain and suffering benefits as allowed by Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Gunshot Fired During Road Rage On M-14

On Wednesday, August 5, 2015, Michigan State Police arrested a 38-year-old man from Whitemore Lake, Michigan, after he admitted to firing a gunshot out of his Chevrolet Cavalier shortly after getting in a car accident with another vehicle heading eastbound on M-14. According to Click On Detroit, police say the man became in engaged in road rage with a 25-year-old man driving a GMC Yukon. The incident started on southbound US-23 near Joy Road and ended on eastbound M-14 near Ford Road in Superior Township.

66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving

road rage accident lawyer

The driver of the GMC Yukon, from Brighton, Michigan, was the first person to call 911. The Whitemore Lake man called 911 shortly after and state troopers responded to the scene. While on the phone to the police, the man from Whitemore Lake told them that he fired a single shot of his gun out of the driver's side window. This road rage led to a car accident between the two drivers and no one was injured. The shooter was arrested and is being held at Washtenaw County Jail pending charges.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines road rage is defined as “an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle or an assault by an incident that occurred on a roadway.” According to Safe Motorist, 66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving, and 37% of these aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm. During a seven year period, 218 murders and 12,610 injuries were attributed to road rage.

If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle accident as a result of road rage or aggressive driving, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of car and motorcycle crashes. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

Medical Company In Fort Wayne, Indiana Hacked

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Recently, a medical software company based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, reported that the private information of 3.9 million injured patients nationwide was exposed when their network was hacked earlier in the year. According to Click On Detroit, the company said that the exposed information includes names, addresses, birth dates, social security numbers, and health records. It is highly likely that many auto accident victims lost personal information in this hack. They also said that the people affected by this hacking includes patients of Texas-based Concentra, which operates in 38 states with over 300 medical centers, Franciscan St. Francis Health in Indianapolis, and Rochester Medical Group in the Detroit area.

Earlier this year, in May, there was another incident where hackers swiped data from a health system. This was in South Bend, Indiana, and 220,000 patients and employees had their information compromised from a phishing attack. Similar to the recent hack in Fort Wayne, hackers stole confidentially information including names, ID numbers, dates of birth, drivers license information, and other medical related information. With this attack, affected patients were issued a year of credit monitoring services by the health system. It will be interesting to see how the Fort Wayne medical group compensates their patients.

With technology and computers specifically advancing. Phishing attacks are becoming more popular. According to Get Cyber Safe, over 150 million phishing emails are sent out each day. Most of these emails are sent to your spam folder so you do not have to worry about them. However, around 10% of these emails make it through to your inbox. On average, half of these emails are opened, and 80,000 people fall for a scam each day, revealing their personal information to hackers.

If you are involved in any type of personal injury accident, you have more than likely given your personal health care information to your treating medical providers. Phishing attacks are becoming more popular and you should be careful and smart about who holds your personal information. If you've been involved in any type of personal injury accident, contact an attorney at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our lawyers specialize in all types of injury cases. Call us today for a free consultation at 844.4MI.FIRM

Mazda Recalls 193,000 SUVs

On August 5, 2015, Mazda announced that they are recalling their biggest SUV in order to fix suspension parts that easily rust and come loose, sometimes causing a loss of steering control, a defect that could potentially increase the risk of auto accidents. According to Click On Detroit, the recall covers more around 193,000 CX-9 SUVs in the United States from the 2007 through 2014 models. Specifically, Mazda said in documents filed with the U.S. Safety regulators that front ball joints can rust from water leaks and separate from the suspension.

defective car crash attorney

The ball joints of the vehicle allow the wheels to pivot when the steering wheel is turned, and without this feature functioning properly the driver can lose control of the steering and potentially cause an auto accident. Mazda dealers will replace the ball joints on both sides of the vehicle. Owners of the older models in states where salt is used to clear roads will receive their repairs first. During June 2015, the NHTSA opened an investigation on this issue, and have recently come to the conclusion that a recall is necessary. No crashes or injuries have been reported so far from this issue.

This isn't Mazda's only recall of the year. Exactly one month before this recall, on Friday, June 5, 2015, according to CBS Detroit, Mazda announced that they were recalling nearly 540,000 cars and pickups in the US and Canada. The reason for this recall was because of defective airbags on the driver's side of the car. 503,000 cars had an issue with the driver's side airbags and 35,000 pickup trucks had a similar issue with the passenger side airbags.

If you have been injured in a car crash involving a recall or defective car, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are here to help you with questions about insurance problems, medical expenses, and pain and suffering benefits as allowed by Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Continental's Automated Car

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Continental Automotive's highly automated vehicle can handle multiple aspects of driving including stop-and-go traffic, highway cruising and steering, and can even safely slow down and maneuver around objects. According to the Detroit News, the car is filled with technology to help the car drive on it's own including a long range radar, four short range radars, four small surround-view cameras, as well as a camera attached to the windshield that looks ahead for cars, objects, pedestrians, etc. The technology can help the vehicle detect blind spots, automatically brake, and restart in highway traffic jams, while actively attempting to avoid car accidents. Despite all of the technology, from the outside, the car looks exactly like a Chrysler 300.

“I know the car has everything under control,” said demonstration driver Ibro Muharemovic, Continental’s head of advanced engineering. Continental is demonstrating its vehicle during the Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars here. “It sees everything around me, it sees everything in front of me and it’s able to proactively, not reactive, but proactively avoid anything that’s happening.”

The inside of the automated car looks fairly normal, besides a bar that runs along the dashboard, which lights up different colors to show what mode the vehicle is in. In addition to this, there are multiple screens in the car, one with the GPS system and important information for the driver such as the current road's speed limit, and a third which shows the camera view of what is in front of the vehicle. With technology advancing and company's like Continental making progressive in the automated driving area, vehicles could possibly be seen with this new technology in the next several years.

If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle crash, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers specialize in all types of auto accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

Teenager Killed In Distracted Driving Crash

On Monday, August 3, 2015, a teenager was killed in Gerorgetown Township, Michigan, in a multi-vehicle crash due to a driver being distracted by his GPS system and a sandwich he was eating at the time. According to CBS Detroit, the Ottawa County Sheriff's office says the victim of the auto accident was a 13-year-old boy named David Talsma from Hudsonville, Michigan.

distracted driving crash lawyer

The victim was the passenger in a Totyota van driven by a 16-year-old when the motor vehicle was struck by a Chevrolet pickup truck on I-196 in Gerorgetown Township. The driver of the pickup truck was a 40-year-old man from Crown Point, Indiana. He told the police that he was eating a sandwich and looking at his GPS device at the time of the accident. He admitted to being distracted and said he didn't realize that traffic was slowing down for a construction zone. In addition to the Toyota van and the Chevy pickup truck, three more vehicles were involved in the car crash. Although five vehicles being involved in the accident, the 13-year-old was the only one killed. Several passengers suffered injuries. 

Distracted driving leads to motor vehicles accidents around the world each day, especially within the state of Michigan. Distracted driving consists of texting and driving as well as using your GPS device and eating while driving, both of which we saw in this car crash. Anything that causes the driver to take their eyes of of the road is considered distracted driving. According to the Official US Government Website For Distracted Driving, in 2013, 3,154 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers, and in addition to this, 424,000 people were injured.

If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle accident as a result of distracted driving, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of car and motorcycle crashes. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

GM Offers $1 Million To 124 Families For Ignition-Switch Deaths

In November 2014, General Motors recalled over 2 million Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars for an issue regarding the ignition system in the motor vehicles. The ignition switches were faulty, and could unexpectedly lead to the engine of the car turning off, thereby causing auto accidents. This issue so far has lead to 124 deaths, 14 serious injuries, and 237 minor injuries. In 2014, GM spent over $3 billion on recalls, as well as additional money in order to compensate for the victims related to the faulty ignition switch.

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Recently, General Motors completed a review of 4,342 claims and declared 124 deaths eligible for at least $1 million. According to the Detroit Free Press, those eligible for compensation have 90 days to accept or reject the offer. As of now, not all offers that have been accepted have been payed. These claims were filed by families of people who either died or were injured by the ignition switch issue, which in addition to unexpectedly turning the engine off, could also cut electrical power to steering, air bags, and other functions of the car.

GM said last month that they have set aside $625 million in order to compensate families, and as of July 17, the company has paid out $280 million. Those families who filed claims in the 124 death cases will receive a minimum of $1 million settlements each. The settlement amount could be larger, depending on the age of the person killed, his or her profession, salary, and whether or not they were a parent.

If you have been injured in a car crash involving a recall or defective car, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are here to help you with questions about insurance problems, medical expenses, and pain and suffering benefits as allowed by Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Sales Jump For GM, Fiat Chrysler, and Ford

gm fiat chrysler accident lawyer

As expected, the U.S. automotive industry has enjoyed increasing sales overall in 2015, and the numbers were no different for July. According to the Detroit Free Press, new vehicle sales rose 6.4% in July for General Motors, 6% for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and 5% for Ford. With the help of falling gas prices and an improving job market, sales keep on rising. Due to gas prices falling, sales of pickup trucks, SUVs, and crossovers are becoming more popular.

For Fiat Chrysler, in the United States, Jeep sales rose by 23%, Chrysler sales rose by 10%, and Ram rose by 1%. Despite these increases in sales, Dodge fell by 13%, and Fiat sales fell by 15%. At Ford, sales of the Ford Mustang increased by 29%, and the luxury brand of Lincoln rose by 21%, led by the sales of the MKC crossover. In addition to this, Ford's results were also helped an increase of 4.8% in sales of the F-Series pickup truck.

GM's growth from the month of July was led by Buick, which increased sales by 17.6%, led by a 64% gain in sales of the Encore compact crossover. Chevrolet sales rose by 7.8%, largely due to a 34% increase in sales of the Silverado pickup truck. In addition to this, GMC sales were up 1.4%, while Cadillac sales decreased by 7%.

These increases in sales are mostly due to large and mid size pickup trucks, as well as large and mid size crossovers. These cars seem to be increasingly popular at the moment, while the demand and sales of SUVs is falling. For example, at Ford, sales of the Lincoln Navigator increased by 24%, but sales of the Expedition on the other hand fell by 37.5%.

If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are here to help you with questions about insurance problems, medical expenses, and pain and suffering benefits as allowed by Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Cell Phone Usage Is Impaired Driving

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Recently, a teenager in Winnipeg, Canada, was sentenced for an auto accident that she caused in 2010. In the crash, two people in another vehicle were killed, two were seriously injured, and one person had suffered minor injuries. At the time, the negligent driver was 17 years old, when she ran a red light on Bishop Grandin Boulevard. According to the Guardian, the judge said that the teen's ability to drive was impaired by alcohol, as well as her texting on her Blackberry. At the time of the accident, she was traveling 96 km/hr, while the speed limit was 80 km/hr, she was using cruise control on her vehicle, and there was no evidence of her attempting to brake or swerve out of the way to avoid the collision.

People that text and drive are considered impaired drivers. Drivers becoming distracted from using their cell phones is something that you see everyday on the road, including holding up traffic and not realizing the light is green, as well as switching lanes without using turn signals, both of which can cause car accidents.

According to Texting and Driving Safety, in 2011, at least 23% of auto collisions involved cell phones, which is 1.3 million crashes. On average, the minimum amount of time your attention is taken away from the road when texting and driving is five seconds. If you're traveling at 55mph, that five seconds of driving would be equivalent to driving the length of an entire football field without looking. Through research conducted by Texting and Driving Safety, they found that 34% of teenagers have texting while driving. In addition to this, 52% have admitted to talking on the phone while driving. Although teenagers are involved in many accidents regarding impaired driving, adults do it too. 48% of young drivers have seen their parents talking on the phone while driving. Waiting to return a phone call or text can save lives on the road. Next time you need to reach someone while driving, wait until you stop for break, or wait until you reach your destination.

If you are involved in a car crash involving impaired driving or texting and driving, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of car accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

Predatory Auto Loans & Questionable Auto Insurance Quotes

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Recently the House Financial Services Committee voted on and passed HR 1737, a bill, that would allow for more lenders to prey on consumers and issue high-risk , high-interest auto loans on new and used vehicles.  In effect, it would cancel the 2013 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau federal guidelines which set forth certain obligations for auto loan lenders.

New York Times editorial board member, Teresa Trich, had this to say in a recent editorial piece:

Republican-dominated House committees routinely pass awful bills that please their corporate constituents but go nowhere. The committee vote on this bill, however, was 47 to 10, with 13 Democrats joining all of the Republican members in voting yes. Overall, the bill has 124 co-sponsors, including 55 Democrats. The level of support reflects the power of auto dealers, who are often among the most prominent businesspeople in any given congressional district and who do not want scrutiny of their lending practices.
The bill’s supporters say it would make needed changes to regulatory procedures. What it really would do is condone overcharging and discrimination in auto lending.

Drivers across the country also face ongoing issues with car insurance companies.  Many of these auto insurance companies continue to conduct "Price Optimization" strategies to increase profits as explained by NPR.  

Trich's New York times editorial explains how some auto insurance companies are doing whatever they can to increase profits at the expense of the driver with the insurance policy.

 Farmers, Geico, Liberty, Nationwide and Progressive — rates were almost always higher for unmarried drivers than for married ones. Among those five, however, only Geico was found to charge different prices depending on whether an unmarried driver had never been married, was separated or divorced.
In several cities, Geico and Progressive charged domestic partners more than married drivers.
In addition, the report found baffling increases in premiums for some women who were widowed. It also found evidence that price difference between married and unmarried drivers occurs at various age levels.
The report calls on state regulators to investigate insurers’ use of marital status in auto insurance pricing.
The not unreasonable hunch is that marital status is largely unconnected to risk and thus should not be much of a factor in the pricing of auto insurance.

At the end of the day consumers must make sure they are reading the fine print, seeking information from multiple sources for auto loans and obtaining multiple auto insurance quotes to make sure the consumer is protected.   If you have any questions about your insurance policy or are considering buying auto insurance and have questions, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC for a free consult. 


Michigan State Troopers Ticket Distracted Drivers

On Tuesday, July 28, 2015, aggressive and distracted drivers were targets of a special enforcement detail conducted by the Michigan State Police in St. Clair Shores, on I-94. This initiative by the state troopers was taken due to multiple complaints from people who drive through that section of I-94 frequently. In total, 12 state troopers participated in order to prevent distracted driver car crashes in Michigan.

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According to the Detroit Free Press, Michigan state police made 217 traffic stops which including ticketing 115 people for speeding, 14 for distracted driving, and 38 for not wearing a seat belt. In addition to this, they also caught 10 people driving on a suspended license, arrested four people on fugitive warrants, and wrote 40 other citations for traffic offenses.

The day after the initiative, on Wednesday, July 29, Michigan State Police said in a news release that they will continue to conduct such traffic details around Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties in an effort to reduce auto accidents, injuries, and distracted driving altogether.

Distracted driving can lead motor vehicle crashes and potential serious injuries or even death. Distracted driving can consist of texting and driving, eating and driving, using the GPS, or anything else that causes the driver to lose focus and take their eyes off of the road. According to the CDC, each day in the U.S., 9 people are killed and 1,153 people are injured in accidents related to distracted driving. When you take your eyes off of the road, you you are putting your life at risk, as well as other drivers on the road.

If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle accident as a result of distracted driving, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of auto accident and motorcycle accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.