When you do not have a lot of money, you might get creative about paying bills. One payment that may fall by the wayside is car insurance. Yes, you need a car to get to work, but keeping a roof over your head and the heat on may be more important.
However, there are certain grave risks to driving uninsured in no-fault states such as Michigan. In fact, these risks are so tremendous that they deserve a role when you consider how to allocate your bill payments.
Fall is in full swing, and winter is just around the corner. It is already starting to rain here in the Plymouth area, and pretty soon it will be snow. These harsh weather conditions that may be all too familiar for you can cause serious dangers on the road. Unskilled, negligent or tourist drivers may not know how to handle these conditions and crash into you.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, poor visibility and slippery roads cause car accidents. But why exactly does this happen? Below is a look at how adverse weather impacts drivers.
Michigan's no-fault insurance law is designed to ensure that individuals injured in car accidents timely receive compensation for their medical costs and lost income. Because the law also places limits on claims with the intention that individuals who have been injured can quickly receive benefits, it is important for car accident victims to be familiar with the legal options available to help protect them.
The no-fault system provides that car accident victims receive benefits for their medical expenses for a lifetime and significant wage loss benefits on what is referred to as a no-fault basis. The intention is for severely injured car accident victims to immediately receive benefits for the harm they have suffered. Michigan has the highest level of car accident medical benefits in the country.
Distracted drivers can cause both car accidents and pedestrian accidents. Michigan ranks forty-seventh of the fifty states when it comes to distracted driving in school zones. Although Michigan falls near the bottom with regard to overall distracted driving in school zones, a recent report reveals that Michigan is the worst state when it comes to distracted phone use and aggressive acceleration near school zones.
In Michigan, several counties, including Oakland, Macomb, and Ottawa County, were ranked the worst when it comes to distracted driving in school zones. Increased awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and increased police enforcement may be able to help reduce the amount of distracted driving in school zones, but the truth of the matter is that distracted driving is a danger that will continue to affect pedestrians and others on the roadways for the foreseeable future.
Because pedestrian accident victims can suffer such catastrophic injuries, it is important for them to be familiar with the legal rights afforded to them following an unexpected pedestrian accident, as can be seen by one recent incident. There, in a Michigan community a couple hours west of the Wayne County area, a pedestrian accident left the victim critically injured. The 41-year old victim was transported to the hospital following the wreck, which appears to have been caused by an alleged drunk driver. The 38-year old driver was arrested at the scene of the accident on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
A pedestrian accident can change the lives of victims and their families forever. Victims may face a long and costly recovery process during which they are unable to work because of the injuries they have suffered. Together, their lost wages and medical expenses may cause extreme financial difficulty, adding to the emotional turmoil they may already be facing.
Slipping and falling can have serious consequences. In fact, approximately 1 million people go to the emergency room every year because of slipping and falling, according to the National Floor Safety Institute. Slip and fall accidents can cause torn ligaments, bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries and even death.
There are plenty of hazardous conditions that result in slips and falls. Property owners have a responsibility to ensure their premises are free from hazards, but sometimes they are negligent. Here are the most common reasons you might slip and fall and consider a premises liability lawsuit.
Michigan is no stranger to the problem of distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, nationally, in 2014, 3,179 individuals were killed and 431,000 victims were injured in car accidents involving distracted drivers. In Michigan during 2015, there were 7,516 car accidents involving distracted driving, which resulted in 28 fatalities and 3,472 injuries. Cell phones were involved in 753 car accidents, resulting in three fatalities and 377 injuries.
There are three main categories of distracted driving: manual, visual and cognitive. Texting while driving is considered the most dangerous form of distracted driving because it combines all three types of distracted driving into one dangerous activity. According to research, a driver's brain remains distracted for 27 seconds after they have sent a text using voice commands, dialed a phone, or changed the music. Additional distracted driving behaviors include using a navigation system or operating a radio; attending to children or talking to passengers; eating and drinking; grooming; and reading.
You know it can be scary to drive around large commercial trucks. Whether you are on the city streets or the highway, these monstrous vehicles can be daunting. If you get into an accident with one, you could suffer catastrophic injuries and even death. Truck accidents can happen for various reasons, but one of the most dangerous is improper loading.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules regarding cargo securement and loading. These rules are not only designed to keep cargo secure but also to prevent dangerous collisions. Keep reading for details on FMCSA rules and how improper loading can cause accidents.
A recent fatal pedestrian accident in a neighboring community north of the Detroit-area left one woman dead. The victim was described as in her 30s or 40s and died at the scene of the pedestrian accident. Reports indicate that a 61-year old woman driving a minivan struck and killed the victim as she was crossing the street. Authorities reported that neither speed nor alcohol appeared to be factors in the crash, but the matter remains under investigation as the police continue to seek additional witnesses.
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents commonly result fatalities because of the lack of a protective safety barrier for pedestrians who share the roadways with motor vehicles. Pedestrian accidents can occur unexpectedly, and their severity can cause lasting damage to victims and their families. When one of these crashes occurs, victims and their families may be able to recover compensation for the damages they have suffered by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
While drivers should look out for bicyclists, you should take some safety precautions too. If you frequently ride your bike around Detroit, you might get into some predicaments, especially when there are no bike lanes. The consequences of getting into an accident with a motor vehicle can be devastating. This is why protecting yourself while you bike is crucial.
There are certain safety tips and laws you should follow to ensure your well-being as a cyclist. Keep reading for ways to safely ride your bike.
Law Offices of Kurt M. Schultz, PLLC
843 Penniman Avenue
Suite 201
Plymouth,
MI
48170
Phone:
734-451-0900
Fax:
734-737-8901
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