The Michigan Neuropsychological Society is sponsoring a great summer conference on current issues related to Michigan Attendant Care Benefits under the Michigan No-Fault Law.  Attorney Daniel Buckfire at our office (my brother), is recognized as one of the top no-fault insurance attorneys in Michigan and will be a featured speaker at the conference.  Other speakers include Bradley Sewick Ph.D. (neuropsychologist), Bryan Weinstein, D.O. (psychiatrist), and Greg Boyajian (CEO Ameristaff).

The subjects will include an update on recent legal issues that affect attendant care benefits cases and the medical basis for recommending these services.  The panel will also discuss the circumestances in which professional staffing agencies might more appropriate than family provided services and when the two should work together for the benefit of the accident victim. 

The seminar is on July 15, 2008 at the Birmingham Community House and seating is limited.  Attendees will include nurse case managers, social workers, and other medical providers.  For more information, call Tracy at (248) 350-3650.

Under the Michigan No-Fault Insurance laws, a person who suffers a serious injury in a motor vehicle accident can often make claims with the insurance company to have their residence or home modified to accomodate their special needs resulting from the accident.  This is a tremendous benefit that every injury victim should know about and it is especially beneficial to patients with life-changing injuries, like spinal cord injuries. 

Attorney Daniel L Buckfire at my office authored “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” which explains these benefits, and other no-fault insurance benefits, to injury victims in plain English.  This includes a section on Home Modifications and Accomodations, which I have pasted below.  For a free copy of the book itself, simply click  here to request your copy.  Also feel free to call anytime with questions about your situation. 

Type of Benefit

Home Modifications and Accommodations 

What is it for? 

Home modification benefits are paid when the injured person cannot comfortably live in his or her current home or apartment because of physical limitations caused by injuries from the accident.  The insurance company is required to pay for remodeling for items such as handicapped ramps, additional rooms, wider doorways, and even bathrooms and showers to make it easier for an injured person to live in the home.

How much can I get for home modifications? 

The dollar amount paid for these services depends on the type of disability and the special needs of the injured person.  Typically, an architect or contractor works alongside the medical provider to design the most appropriate changes for the home.  There is no limit on the amount as long as it is reasonable and necessary.

What if I rent an apartment or live with a family member or friend? 

You are still entitled to have this remodeling done if you live in an apartment or live with someone else.  If you live in an apartment, the insurance company may be required to remodel your apartment or may have to find a better place for you to live that is equipped with accommodations to meet your needs.  The insurance company may be required to pay for this residence in full or in part.

How do I file my claim? 

The claim must be submitted to the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim. 

What type of documentation do I need? 

You need a prescription from your doctor or an occupational therapist for these modifications and a reasonable plan for the remodeling.   You may need to enter into a contract with a construction company for the needed remodeling.

How much time do I have to file my claim? 

You should submit your claim these expenses once it has been determined by a doctor that it is necessary and you have a contract for the necessary remodeling work.

What do I do if the insurance company refuses to pay these benefits?

If your insurance company refuses to pay these benefits, your only recourse is to file a lawsuit against the company that demands payment for the expenses.

How much time do I have to file my lawsuit? 

If the claims are presented within one year but are not paid by the insurance company within one year of the date of expense or claim, it will be necessary to start a lawsuit within that one year period in order to protect your claim.  If you choose to begin a lawsuit against your insurance company for No-Fault benefits, you must file a lawsuit within ONE YEAR of the date on which the last unpaid No-Fault benefit was incurred.

If you fail to file your lawsuit within this one year period, you will lose the right to have the benefit or expense paid.

As you are approaching the one year anniversary of your car accident, and there are any outstanding claims that have not been paid by the insurance company, we recommend that you file a lawsuit prior to the one year anniversary of the accident.

Attorney Daniel L. Buckfire from my firm wrote a great book on the Michigan No-Fault Laws, called “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook.”  You can request a free copy by clicking here.  The book has a section on the special transportation expense benefits available for Michigan car accident victims under the no-fault insurance laws.  I have pasted that portion of the book below for review.  Please contact us with any questions about your case by completing the contact form or calling us at 1-800-60-1717.

Special Transportation 

What is it for? 

This is for a van or specially equipped van or vehicle to take you to and from your medical appointments.  This is often required for persons in wheelchairs or other equipment that requires special transportation.

How much can I get? 

The insurance company must pay the reasonable cost for this transportation.

How long can I get it for? 

You are entitled to these benefits as long as you need to get to and from your medical appointments to be treated for the injuries that you suffered in the accident.

How do I file my claim? 

The claim must be submitted to the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim. 

What type of documentation do I need? 

You need to submit the invoice or bill from the transportation company and a prescription from your doctor for this type of service.

How much time do I have to file my claim? 

You should submit your claim for special transportation services every thirty days, but claims for transportation services can be submitted up to within one year of the date of service.

What do I do if the insurance company refuses to pay these benefits?

If your insurance company refuses to pay these benefits, your only recourse is to file a lawsuit against the company that demands payment for the services.

How much time do I have to file my lawsuit? 

If the claims are presented within one year but are not paid by the insurance company within one year of the date of expense or claim, it will be necessary to start a lawsuit within that one year period in order to protect your claim.  If you choose to begin a lawsuit against your insurance company for No-Fault benefits, you must file a lawsuit within ONE YEAR of the date on which the last unpaid No-Fault benefit was incurred.

If you fail to file your lawsuit within this one year period, you will lose the right to have the benefit or expense paid.

As you are approaching the one year anniversary of your car accident, and there are any outstanding claims that have not been paid by the insurance company, we recommend that you file a lawsuit prior to the one year anniversary of the accident.

With the long Winter finally gone and warm weather finally here,  Michigan bikers are taking their motorcycles on the roads in record numbers.  Unfortunately, many motorists often ignore the rights of bikers and cause serious and often catastrophic Michigan motorcycle accident cases.  The insurance laws for Michigan No-Fault insurance cases are confusing on this issue and not every injured biker is entitled to no-fault insurance benefits.  How does an injured Michigan biker qualify for these benefits?

First, there must be basic minimum liability insurance on the motorcycle to qualify for these benefits.  Without this minimum insurance coverage on the bike, there is no entitlement to benefits.  The other requirement is that the accident and injuries must “arise” from another motorvehicle, which would be either a car or truck.

In many instances, there would be actual contact or collision between a motor vehicle and the motorcycle.  This clearly satisfies the “arise” requirement to qualify for No-Fault benefits.  However, many insurance companies and attorneys do not know that there does not have to be actual contact with the motor vehicle to have the accident “arise” from the use of a motor vehicle.  There is no requirement that the motorcycle actually collide with or be struck by either a car or truck, but rather that there was some involvement with the motor vehicle that caused the accident.

For example, if the motorcycle was forced off of the roadway by a motor vehicle, the accident would arise from the use of a motor vehicle.  Or, if two motorcycle collided because a truck unlawfully entered into a lane of traffic and caused the bikers to collide, it would arise from the use of a motor vehicle.  This is a very important distinction and must be evaluated on a case by case basis.  

Bikers injured in a Michigan motorcycle accident should contact me immediately after the accident for a determination whether they are entitled to these tremendous Michigan No-Fault benefits.  There are strict time limits for filing these claims.  I can be reached at 1-800-606-1717 or by e-mail at larry@buckfirelaw.com  Injured bikers can also complete our contact form by clicking here and I will call you back to discuss your case.

Attorney Daniel Buckfire at our office has a statewide reputation as being one of the top Michigan car accident lawyers with expertise in the complex and often confusing Michigan No-Fault Insurance system.  After reading pamphlets and materials from other lawyers that were confusing and overwhelming for Michigan car accident victims, he wrote “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook.”  The book is written in plain English and answers the most common questions about the Michigan No-Fault laws.

Daniel was recently interviewed by noted attorney Ben Glass regarding the book and on specific issues that are important to Michigan car accident injury victims.  Best of all, the interview was recorded and placed on a compact disc.  I would be happy to send a free CD to anyone who calls our office and this is something great to listen to in conjuction with reading the book.  Just give me a call at 1-800-606-1717 or send me an e-mail to larry@buckfirelaw.com and I’ll drop it in the mail.