A fatal Highland Township snowmobile accident may have been caused by alcohol.  David Lee Bills, 39, died on December 19, 2008 after his snowmobile crashed into a van on Duck Road.  Police believe David Bills was going the wrong way.  The driver of the van was unhurt but she was arrested for drunk driving.  Police believe David Bills may also have been drinking, but they are still investigating.

I am very sorry this accident occurred.  I want to extend my condolences to this man’s family.  I hope everyone remembers to use a designated driver, especially during the holiday season.

Because David Bills’ death occurred in an accident involving a motor vehicle, the Michigan No Fault Act applies and his family can collect No Fault insurance benefits.  A No Fault survivor loss claim would allow his family to collect a portion of the funeral cost and payments for loss of financial support (wages or salary) and loss of household services (payments for chores around the house).

In addition, the family should consult with a lawyer to determine if they can file a lawsuit for wrongful death.  To be successful, their lawyer would have to prove the driver of the van was negligent.  One important tool in helping the lawyer evaluate this is the police traffic accident report.  The family should get a copy of this report from the police station and speak with a lawyer.  A lawyer could also help them with their No Fault 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.

The Michigan Brain Injury Lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire P.C. regularly represent people who have suffered brain injuries and closed head injuries in car accidents, motorcycle accident, slip and falls, and other personal injuy accidents.  The following video is a description of one of our client’s experience with how we handled her case.

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Our Michigan Brain Injury Lawyers are experts in the field of personal injury law and in the medical science behind brain injuries.  That knowledge is key to winning your case.

We represent clients throughout the State of Michigan.  We have been successfully representing accident victims and injured people for nearly 40 years.

For more information about Michigan brain injury cases, visit our law firm website at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan brain injury attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply fill out this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Our Michigan cruise ship lawyers represent people who are injured on cruises or while traveling.  Now that it is winter, many people are leaving Michigan for vacations in warmer climates.  One of the fastest growing and most popular tourist destinations are cruises.  In fact, over 51 million people have been on cruises in the last three years alone!

Unfortunately, people are sometimes injured while they are on cruises.  These injuries can occur while on the cruise ship or while on excursions.  They can be the result of food poisoning or the failure of the ship’s crew to take the proper safety precautions in inclement weather.  These injuries are often made worse because timely medical attention beyond first aid is usually not available on the ships.  In the worst cases, medical attention is available but is not provided or the crew is able to divert the ship to a nearby port where a passenger can receive medical care but is the cruise line is unwilling to allow the diversion.

When someone has suffered an injury like this, they can very often hold the cruise ship line accountable for its negligence.  They can do this by filing a lawsuit.  People who are injured while on cruises have to act very quickly if they are going to file a lawsuit.  There are two main reasons for this, a legal reason and a practical reason.

The legal reason that accident victims have to act quickly is that most places have laws that say people have to sue within a period of time after they have been injured.  These statutes of limitation will set a time period and if the person does not sue within that time period, he or she will be permanently barred from ever suing for their injuries.  Although the length of the time period varies from state to state and country to country, all jurisdictions have statutes of limitations. 

What’s more, most cruise line contracts that people sign when they purchase their tickets have shorter periods than this in which the person who has been injured must give notice of their intent to sue.  These contract provisions are often unfair but courts enforce them most of the time.  Even the best attorney simply cannot save your case if you have waited until after either the notice period or the statute of limitations has expired.

The practical reason to begin working on a lawsuit as quickly as possible has to do with what is necessary to prove a case.  The reality is that a case gets harder to prove as more time passes.  Injuries heal, scars go away, and people’s memories of events fade.  An eyewitness who is willing to testify on your behalf might not remember what happened as well in future.  A good lawyer would take pictures of scars and record witnesses’ statements to preserve evidence for trial.  That is why anyone who is injured on a cruise accident should contact a lawyer right away.

For more information about Michigan cruise ship injury cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan personal injury 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.

Recently, I read an email about a list of dangerous toys published by the non-profit organization World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc., or W.A.T.C.H.  This list of ten toys is published annually around the holidays. 

W.A.C.T.H. also publishes a standing list of toy safety hazards, which describe features of a toy that can make it particularly dangerous.

Toy Hazards to avoid include:

• Secondhand toys sold over the Internet, since they often lack packaging and packaging inserts that contain warnings, directions, or other safety information.
• Battery operated toys for children under 8, since batteries may leak or overheat and explode.
• Toys with fur or hair, which can be ingested and cause choking.
• Toys with small, easily removed attachments, which can present choking hazards.
• Projectile toys and toys that shoot since they can cause eye injuries that may lead to blindness.
• Toys with pointed tips or sharp edges because there is a chance off a child cutting himself or herself.
• Toys with strings longer than 6 inches, since a young child could wrap the cord around his or her neck and choke.
• Toys designed to be strung between or across two cribs or playpens, since these toys present choking hazards.
• Toys that are marketed with other products or product lines, since they often do not come with instructions, age recommendations, or warnings.
• Toys which are flammable and may ignite when placed near flame.
• Realistic looking toy guns and other weapons, which may promote violence.
• Electrical and electronic toys, because the stepdown transistors may malfunction and cause injury.
• Toys with small parts, which can present choking hazards.
• Toys with long handles since children under 4 have a tendency to put the handles in their mouths and choke.
• Toys with toxic substances or components since a child may ingest a part of it or may develop a rash.  A common example of this are home makeup kits that contain ferrocyanide, a known poison.

For more information about Michigan personal injury cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan personal injury 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.

With the holidays approaching, many of the adults I know are busying giving and receiving advice about what toys to get their children.  Sometimes the advice about what kind of toy NOT to get is even more important as the advice about what toy TO get.  That is why I wanted to write this post.

I recently received an email about a list of dangerous toys, which I wanted to share.  The list is made every year by the World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc., or W.A.T.C.H.  I do not know much about W.A.T.C.H. but I do know they publish this list of dangerous toys every year around the holidays and that they have a standing list of potential toy hazards.  I will write more on the toy hazards later.

Ten Dangerous Toys

Animal Alley Purse Pet

This toy is a soft toy sold to ages 0+, but its long hair is easily removed.  This presents a potential choking hazard to young children.

Ninja Battle Gear—Michelangelo

This toy is part of a set that allows children ages 4 and up to dress up like ninjas and fight with their weapons.  Children can easily be hurt if one end of Michelangelo’s nunchuks hits them.

Walk’n Sounds Digger the Dog

This toy features a pull cord that activates barking and other dog sounds.  Although the toy is marketed to children ages 12 months+, its 26 inch length cord presents a choking hazard to young children.  This is very remarkable since most toy manufacturers voluntarily limit cords on cribs and playpens for children that age to 12 inches or less.

Pucci Puppies – My Own Puppy House Golden Retriever

Small dog toys such as a bone, cookie, and chew toy could easily fit in a toddler’s mouth and therefore present a choking hazard.

Meadow Mystery Play-A-Sound Book with a Cuddly Pooh

The Winnie the Pooh doll comes with a mystery mask that presents a choking hazard to young children.  Although the packaging indicates the product has been safety tested for children age 18 months and up, the doll indicates it is safe for all levels.  Parents should be aware of the inconsistency.

Inflatable Giga Ball

Children 4 and up can crawl inside this inflatable ball to tumble and bounce around, but they can be hurt while bouncing around.  One set of warnings advises not to use the toy on hills or near water and states parental supervision is required.  The toy itself indicates parental supervision is merely recommended while the package insert states the product should not be used as a flotation device or by the pool.

Spider-Man Adjustable Toy Skates

Warnings on the packaging state a child using the toy skates should wear knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and a helmet.  The safety gear that comes with the toy, however, only includes knee pads and elbow pads.

Sportsman Shotgun

This is a realistic looking gun that allows a child to load and then shoot rubber bullets.  There is a serious potential for eye injuries, injuries to pets, injuries to other children, and other injuries.  The packing recommends the toy for children ages 14+ but further states it is not recommended for children younger than 3.

Extreme Spiral Copters

This toy allows children to launch a spinning helicopter into the air with a rubber band.  This carries all the hazards that a traditional sling shot would, including injuries to the child using the toy if the band breaks or snaps backward and injuries to people or animals in the projectile/helicopter’s path.

Go Go Minis Pullback Vehicle

The rear wheels of these miniature trucks and cars can be removed, and they present a choking hazard to children.  Although the packaging contains a warning stating this, there is no corresponding warning on the toy itself.

For more information about Michigan personal injury cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan personal injury 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.