A 33-year-old Port Huron man was involved in a Algonac Garbage Truck Accident on July 16th in St. Clair County. According to police, the man, a Richfield Management employee, was allegedly run over by the garbage truck while he worked.

Police believe the truck was stopping and collecting trash, on Mill Street in Algonac, when the front wheel of the garbage truck ran over the Richfield Management employee causing severe and serious injuries. The man’s right leg and right arm were seriously injured. The man was airlifted to University of Michigan Medical Center. He is in stable condition. Police continue to investigate this accident.

I  am very sorry to hear about this tragic accident and wish the injured man the fullest and speediest recovery possible.  I hope that he comes out of this with no permanent harm.

Michigan truck accident victims have a number of legal rights.  As this accident happened while he was working andinvolved a motor vehicle,  the Richfield Management Employee may be eligible to receive Michigan Workers Compensation benefits and Michigan No-Fault Benefits. These benefits are similar in that they would cover  his medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the accident. 

The Richfield Management employee should speak with an experienced Michigan accident lawyer to determine which  benefits he is eligible to receive. Accident victims should not speak with an insurance adjuster for the negligent parties before consulting with an attorney.

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 Dearborn pedestrian was struck by a car  on May 8th and is in serious condition . The man was walking eastbound on Michigan Avenue, by the ramp to eastbound I-94, when he was struck by the car. The man suffered serious injuries and was taken to Oakwood Hospital. Police are still investigating this accident and have not released the identity of t he victim or of the driver.

 I am very sorry hear that this accident happened and I hope that he is able to recover completely from his injuries.

Michigan car accident victims have a number of legal rights.  For this type of accident, the injured pedestrian can  submit a claim for Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits.  No-Fault benefits will cover his medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the accident.  The injured pedestrian can claim these benefits even if he did not have an automobile insurance policy.

In addition, the injury victim may be able to file a lawsuit against the person driving the car.  In this lawsuit, he can claim damages and compensation for the injuries suffered in the accident.  The insurance company for the negligent driver typically pays a settlement for this type of case. 

If the driver is uninsured or does not have sufficient insurance coverage, the pedestrian still has rights under the law. He may be able to file an uninsured motorists claim or an under-insured motorist claim against his own insurance policy or another insurance policy to compensate him for his injuries. 

An experienced Michigan car accident lawyer can assist the victim with this type of claim.  Accident victims should not speak with the insurance adjuster for the negligent driver before consulting with an attorney.

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.

I read a tragic story about a nice woman who died earlier this week in a Traverse County car accident.  Sandy Raymond, a beloved barber in her hometown of Traverse City, was killed while drving sount on County Road 633 in Grant Township when another vehicle suddenly crossed the centerline and struck her vehicle.  She was on her way to Flint to visit her family.  News reports describe how badly she will be missed by family, friends, co-workers, and clients. 

My firm handles these cases frequently throughout the State of Michigan for the families of the lost loved one.  Although a lawsuit can never replace the loss and no amount of money can ever fully compensate a family, the only legal recourse for the family is to file a Michigan Wrongful Death Lawsuit against the negligent driver.  There may also be claims that can be filed for Michigan No-Fault Insurance Benefits.  There are strict time limitations for filing such claims so it is important to contact an experienced lawyer shortly after the accident.

I am often contacted by families mourning the loss of a loved one to discuss filing a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit against the person, business, or medical provider that it is believed to have wrongfully caused the death.   The conversation usually starts about the accident or incident itself and then moves to the big question, “Who can file the wrongful death lawsuit?”

In Michigan, there is the Michigan Wrongful Death Statute that sets forth the criteria and priority to see who can actually file the suit.  First and foremost, a probate estate must be opened with the county probate court.  A personal reprsentative is appointed by the probate judge.  This person then has authority to hire a lawyer to file the wrongful death lawsuit.

In a perfect world, all of the surviving family members would work together, agree on a personal reprsentative, select a lawyer by group decision, and then move forward with the case.  In reality, there are often disputes between family members on each and every single one of those decisions.  The Michigan Wrongful Death Act is a statute that sets forth the criteria for who has priority to become the personal representative.   In some occasions, there will be two people with equal priority (example would be if the decedent had two sons and they both wanted to be the personal representative) and then it unfortunately becomes a battle between the two of them.  Why do family members fight about this?

Simple.  Certain people want to control the lawsuit and hire the attorney of their choice.  It should not be surprising that many lawyers also push this issue so that they will be appointed to handle the case.  This is sad because the last thing the decedent would want is the family fighting over who will handle his or her death case. 

At the end of the case, if it settles, the family will then have to agree on the distribution of the wrongful death settlement proceeds.  Many times, families agree on the breakdown.  Again, unfortunately, many family members fight over their individual percentage of recovery.  If no agreement can be made, the presiding judge makes the determination.

You can see that in some circumstances, the true colors of many surviving family members are revealed when it comes time to getting control of the case and the settlement.  I have been successful in creating harmony in this process even amongst the most difficult family members and getting everyone “on board” to pursue the real purpose, which is compensation for the loss of a loved one.