An Upper Peninsula car accident has resulted in the deaths of two men.  Jeffrey Christophersen, 41, and Shawn Christophersen, 27, were killed on February 9, 2009 when their pick-up truck left the road and hit a tree.  The causes of the accident are still under investigation.

I want to express my sympathy for the family of these two men.  I am very sorry for their loss.

When there has been a single-vehicle accident such as this one, many people think the accident victims have no recourse.  This is not the case!  The victims or their families can submit the accident to their car insurance companies just like they would with a two-vehicle accident.  By doing this, the accident victims will be able to collect Michigan No Fault benefits for their injuries.

In a No Fault survivor loss claim, the insurance company should pay for a portion of the funeral expenses as well as remit payments for loss of financial support and loss of household services.

In addition, Jeffrey Christophersen’s estate may be able to sue the estate of Shawn Christophersen if Shawn was guilty of any negligence that caused the car accident.  This lawsuit would be paid for and defended by Shawn’s insurance company so it is definitely something the family should consider.  Because the lawsuit is really against the insurance company, I always encourage my clients to go ahead and file a lawsuit.

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 Pontiac car accident has seriously injured a young girl.  Keara Pittman, 13, was struck by a car on February 10, 2009 while walking near the intersection of University Drive and Melrose Street.  She was nonresponsive to emergency responders and appeared to have suffered head trauma.

This accident is especially tragic because the victim is very young.  I am very sorry it happened.  I hope that Keara Pittman is able to experience a full and speedy recovery.

When a child is hit by a car, many people do not know what to do because the child normally does not have a policy of her or her own.  However, there is no reason to be confused because the child will be covered by their parents’ car insurance.  As long as one person the child lives with is insured, that insurance policy will cover the child.

Because of this, Keara Pittman will be able to submit a claim for Michigan No Fault insurance benefits.  She will also very liekly be able to file a lawsuit against the driver of the car that hit her.  A lawyer could help her family pursue either or both claims.

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 Handbookby 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 latest news in the peanut butter salmonella outbreak is disgusting and shocking.  In case you have not been following this news, the Peanut Corp. of America is responsible for an outbreak of salmonella food poisoning in 43 States.  Hundreds of people have been infected with salmonella, and 9 people have actually died from the food poisoning.  The salmonella strain was traced to one of Peanut Corp.’s plants in Blakely, Georgia, where multiple strains of salmonella were found by government health inspectors.

Now, another one of Peanut Corp.’s factories have been shut down.  This plant in Plainview, Texas, was shut down after dead rodents, rodent excrement, and bird feathers were discovered in the plant.  Peanut Corp. has issued a recall of all products ever shipped from this plant, which opened in March 2005. 

This is disgusting and truly outrageous.  It is clear that not even the most basic health standards were followed at either plant.  The fact that such terrible conditions existed at two plants shows the problem was not limited to one bad manager or employer.  Instead, the entire company was negligent in how it maintained its conditions.  I hope the Peanut Corp. is held accountable to the fullest possible extent of the law. 

When someone is infected with salmonella, the best thing to do is educate yourself about food poisoning and take steps to either avoid the highly contagious infection and, especially if you do become infected, drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.  You should also learn more about the ways a Michigan food poisoning lawyer can help you hold the person or company responsible for your food poisoning accountable.

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

I recently read an article about winter weather accidents in Michigan.  Over the past couple of days, the temperatures have been rising above and then falling below the freezing point.  This can reduce the thickness of ice and make falling into a frozen lake or pond more likely.  Take the following tips to avoid drowning, frostbite, and hypothermia.

• Be cautious on snow and ice.  Ice may not be as thick as it appears.  Snow may hide weak patches in the ice beneath it.
• Never go on ice alone.
• Avoid excess consumption of alchol.  In addition to slowing reaction time, higher blood alcohol content increases the risks of hypothermia if a person falls into cold water.
• Keep children and pets away from the ice.
• Do not drive a vehicle on the ice.
• Do not attempt to rescue someone by yourself.  If the ice was not thick enough to hold the person who has fallen in, it probably is not thick enough to hold you.  Instead, call 911 and throw a rope to the victim or slide a long branch across the ice to the victim.

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 Presque Isle County car accident has resulted in the deaths of three members of the same family.  This tragic accident occurred on January 26, 2009 on Hutchinson Highway in Allis Township when a car and a pickup truck were involved in a head-on collision.  The driver of the car, Nicholas Stuifbergen, 23, his sister Leann Shoulders, 27, and their mother Debra Stuifbergen, 51, all of Onaway, were pronounced dead at the scene.  The accident appears to have happened because the pickup truck was travelling at high speeds and crossed the centerline in the road.  Three of the five teenagers who were in the truck were treated for injuries.

I am very sorry this tragic accident occurred.  I feel terrible for the family who has lost these three people.  I also hope the teenagers who were injured are able to recover.

When a person dies in a car accident, that person’s family or estate should submit a claim for No Fault survivor loss benefits.  A No Fault survivor loss claim can greatly assist a family while it is dealing with their loss.  Survivor loss benefits include payment of a portion of the funeral costs and payments for loss of financial support and loss of household services.  The family or estate should also strongly consider filing a lawsuit for wrongful death against the driver whose negligence caused the accident.

The teenagers who were injured should also file a claim for Michigan No Fault insurance benefits.  No Fault insurance will pay for their medical expenses and will cover other expenses for accident victims who are seriously injured.  The teenagers can submit a claim to their parents’ insurance company if they do not have their own car insurance.  If one of the passengers was very seriously injured, he or she may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver.  That person or a family member should discuss the child’s injuries with an experienced car accident lawyer to determine if they can file such a lawsuit.

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.