A bill introduced in the Michigan legislature in October 2011 would end Michigan’s lifetime no-fault insurance benefits and allow drivers to choose up to $5 million in lifetime coverage instead. Although the bill is approaching the six-month anniversary of its introduction, it’s no closer to being passed, and instead is facing strong opposition and even a lawsuit, according to a recent article in the Livingston Daily.
The bill’s sponsor has argued that the bill would lower no-fault insurance premiums in Michigan by forcing injured drivers to take more responsibility for their own coverage. Currently, he says that Michigan’s lifetime benefits arrangement for seriously injured drivers is raising auto insurance premiums.
Opponents believe that, given the option, young drivers, those with previous DUI convictions, and other high-risk drivers will opt for lower coverage, which might leave them unable to pay their medical bills if they are hurt in a serious MI auto accident. The bill also appropriates $50,000 for a publicity campaign for the new law, if it passes. Because bills with appropriations in them cannot be re-considered by Michigan voters on a referendum, opponents of the bill are particularly concerned with defeating it in the legislature, before it can reach the governor’s desk for a signature.
At Lipton Law, our experienced Southfield no-fault insurance attorneys are ready to help those injured in car accidents. We can guide you through every step of the way, from filing your Michigan no-fault insurance claim to seeking compensation from any other parties who may be at fault for your injuries. Call us today at (248) 557-1688 for a free and confidential consultation.
Many other states have banned texting and using handheld cell phones to make or receive calls while the person using the device is driving a motor vehicle. Although Michigan has not passed a statewide law banning handheld cell phone use, many advocates say that it’s time our state joined those who have banned this distracting, accident-causing practice.
States aren’t the only ones getting on the handheld-cell-phone-banning bandwagon. In December 2011, the director of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also called for a ban on handheld cell phone use while driving, citing the thousands of lives that are lost every year and the additional thousands who are injured by drivers distracted by handheld cell phones.
A study by the American Automobile Association (AAA) found that, while 88 percent of drivers agree that cell phone use of any kind while driving is dangerous, over 66 percent admitted to using their cell phones while driving within the past 30 days. Supporters of a handheld cell phone ban in Michigan say that these numbers show awareness and voluntary avoidance isn’t enough. Supporters claim the law should provide penalties for those who use handheld cell phones while driving.
Distracted driving can be caused by cell phone use or by many other things, including eating, looking at a map, or talking to others in the vehicle. Regardless of the cause, however, distracted driving is a tragedy when a serious car accident results. If you or someone you love has been injured by a distracted driver, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Southfield distracted driving lawyers at Lipton Law. For a free consultation, call us today at (248) 557-1688.
Michigan no-fault auto insurance law is one of the most comprehensive laws in the nation. Although Michigan no-fault coverage is often assumed to cost drivers more up front, it also provides coverage in nearly all auto accidents, even if you are severely injured or lose a loved one.
A basic Michigan no-fault policy has three parts:
- Personal Injury Protection. Known as “PIP” benefits, personal injury protection pays for your medical bills and related costs, as well as those of the passengers in your car if they are children or don’t have an auto insurance policy of their own. As of 2010, the maximum PIP benefit was $4,929 per month.
- Property Damage. Property damage benefits pay for damage your car does to someone else’s property during a Michigan auto accident. For instance, if your car is hit by another driver and pushed into someone’s front yard, your property damage benefits pay to fix any damage to that person’s front yard. These benefits do not, however, pay for damage to your own vehicle.
- Residual Liability. Residual liability has two parts: bodily injury and property damage. The bodily injury portion goes toward paying the medical expenses of others involved in a crash if they do not have a policy that offers PIP benefits; for instance, if they are from out of state. The property damage portion protects you if you are sued under Michigan’s “mini-tort” provision, which can add up to $500 for damages not covered by insurance.
At Lipton Law, our experienced Michigan no-fault auto insurance attorneys can help you with every step of the post-accident process, from filing your no-fault insurance claim to seeking compensation from any negligent parties in court. We’ll guide you through the complex no-fault process so you and your family can focus on recovery. For a free consultation, call us today at (248) 557-1688.
A recent study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found that, while sports-related concussions are far more frequent among teenagers than adults, people who suffer concussions or other traumatic brain injuries at all age levels are more likely to need in-hospital care if they also suffered other types of injuries at the same time. Especially common were severe traumatic brain injuries combined with wounds or broken bones in the head, neck, or upper body.
Bruises and open wounds were the most common injuries that came along with traumatic brain injuries in the AHRQ study. Nearly 25 percent of patients with a concussion or other traumatic brain injury also had severe bruising, and over 18 percent had an open wound on the face, neck, or upper body, often a cut or scrape resulting from a fall or blow to the head. Sprains and strains also accompanied 13 percent of those who were seen in hospital emergency rooms for traumatic brain injuries.
Not all accidents are limited to just one injury; many cause multiple injuries, resulting in longer healing times and an increased risk of complications from infections, medications, or rehabilitation. If you’ve been injured, the experienced personal injury attorneys in Michigan at Lipton Law are ready to help. To discuss your case with us and learn more about your legal rights and options, call Lipton Law today at (248) 557-1688. Your initial telephone consultation is free and completely confidential.
The U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced two separate recalls that may affect millions of U.S. drivers. One recall focuses on defective child safety seats, while the other focuses on defective vehicle tires.
Car seat maker Britax has recalled several of its “Chaperone” child safety seats because the straps that keep the child securely in the seat can come loose, offering no protection from a crash or from an active child climbing or falling out of the seat. Owners of these child seats can contact the manufacturer at 1(888) 427-4829 or www.britaxusa.com to request a free repair kit that will reattach the straps securely.
Toyo Tire has also recalled several of its Extensa A/S tires. The bead of the tire can come loose or twist, resulting in air loss that can cause vehicle damage, auto accidents, or both. Owners who have these tires can contact Toyo for more information at 1(800) 442-8696, or return the tires to the store from which they purchased them.
More information on both these recalls is available at the NHTSA vehicle recall and safety website, www.safercar.gov.
Injuries from defective products, especially auto parts, can seriously and permanently change the course of a person’s and a family’s life. If you’ve been injured by a defective product, the experienced Southfield product liability lawyers at Lipton Law are ready to help. To discuss your case with us and learn more about your legal rights and options, call Lipton Law today at (248) 557-1688. Your initial telephone consultation is free and completely confidential.
The Super Bowl is coming up, and the National Football League (NFL) has teamed up with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remind football fans that drunk driving has serious consequences in its “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” campaign.
Driving while impaired even a bit greatly increases the chances of an auto accident. Even if you’ve made the smart choice not to drive after drinking alcohol, other drivers on the road may not be so considerate – and tragedy can result.
Here are a few ways you can encourage safe driving during Super Bowl weekend:
- If you host a Super Bowl party at home, stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the party is scheduled to end. Switching to non-alcoholic drinks only at the end of the game’s third quarter is a time-honored method used in NFL stadiums across the country.
- If you go out for a party, make your own plans for a sober ride home, and program the numbers of local cab companies into your cell phone so you can call for a safe ride home for any friends who may have had one too many.
- Whether you’re at home or out for your Super Bowl celebrations, give designated drivers the special treatment. Offer them a prime seat, keep their non-alcoholic drink topped off, or pick up the tab for them.
Drunk driving can cause serious accidents, which can result in permanent disabilities or even death. If you or someone you love has been injured in a drunk driving accident, you have certain legal rights and options in Michigan. At Lipton Law, our experienced Michigan drunk driving accident victim lawyers can help you with all steps of the post-accident process, from filing a Michigan no-fault insurance claim to fighting to hold a negligent driver accountable in court. For a free and confidential case evaluation, call us today at (248) 557-1688.
February is National Heart Health Month, and organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) are spreading the word about heart disease. Heart disease causes damage to the heart and the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart. Undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or untreated heart disease is a major cause of heart attacks, especially in women, who may not experience any symptoms of heart disease before an attack occurs.
According to the American Heart Association, it’s never a bad idea to get a second doctor’s opinion if you are unsure that your first physician has correctly diagnosed your heart disease or is offering sufficient treatment and prevention options for it. This is especially true if you have several risk factors for heart disease, including a family history of heart problems. Since heart disease can lead to several serious health consequences, including premature death, getting a second opinion may mean the difference between a long, healthy life and disability or death.
If caught early, heart disease can be prevented or kept from getting worse by lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery designed to keep the heart moving and the blood vessels clear. If it’s ignored or overlooked, however, heart disease can cause serious consequences, including heart attacks, blood clots, and other conditions.
If you or someone you know has been injured by a doctor’s failure to diagnose or treat heart disease, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Southfield medical malpractice attorneys at Lipton Law. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (248) 557-1688.
The Segway is a two-wheeled electronic vehicle that has become increasingly popular with some groups ever since its introduction nearly ten years ago. Segway riders often take their Segways out for a spin, many of them using the same sidewalks, bike paths, and other travelways used by pedestrians, bicyclists, and even cars. But is a Segway a pedestrian thing, or is it more like a bicycle? To find out, we turned to the Michigan Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) “Sharing the Road” brochure for more information.
The Michigan DMV says that Segway riders must follow many of the same laws as bicyclists and moped riders. For instance, a person on a Segway must yield to a pedestrian, just like a bicyclist. If the Segway is going to be ridden at night, it must have at least as many of the same types of lights and reflectors used on bicycles. And, like bicyclists, Segway riders are expected never to try carrying bulky packages or other objects that interfere with their ability to balance or steer.
Like cars, Segways may be ridden on roads, as long as they obey all traffic laws – much like bicycles or motorcycles. Unlike cars and bicycles, however, Segways are only allowed on roads if the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less. If the speed limit is above 25 miles per hour, Segways must stay out of the road, though they can still use sidewalks.
Pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents can both cause serious injuries, especially if a motor vehicle is involved in the crash. At Lipton Law, our experienced Michigan personal injury lawyers are dedicated to fighting for the rights of those injured in these life-altering accidents. To learn more about your legal rights and options after an injury, call us today at (248) 557-1688 for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Michigan had an unseasonably warm winter through the end of 2011. Now that 2012 is here, however, the snowstorms are back – and so are increased risks for accidents, including sliding on snowy, icy, or slushy roads. To help avoid accidents and injuries this winter, police across Michigan are encouraging drivers to use caution, according to a recent article in the Muskegon Chronicle.
Northern Michigan counties, like Muskegon, were hit particularly hard by recent storms, but even communities on the eastern side of the state found themselves buried. When temperatures drop and snowstorms hit, it can become very difficult to see while driving. This increases the risk of an accident – not only with another vehicle, but also with a pedestrian, parked car, or an object like a lamppost, mailbox, or guardrail.
Many Michigan drivers assume that salt, sand, and de-icing chemicals used by state and local road crews will take care of any slippery snow and ice that might cause a crash. However, when temperatures dip too low, salt and chemicals can’t melt snow or ice effectively. The best thing to do for Michigan safe winter driving is slow down and keep extra space between yourself and any vehicles in front of you, according to the Michigan State Police. Even if you slip, you’ll have more room to right your vehicle – and a greater chance of avoiding a crash.
Car accidents can cause serious injuries. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Michigan, the experienced Southfield car accident injury attorneys at Lipton Law can help you and your loved ones with every stage of the post-accident process, from filing a no-fault insurance claim to seeking compensation, so that you can focus on recovery. For a free and confidential telephone consultation, call us today at (248) 557-1688.
Spinal cord injuries can cause serious impairment, including life-long disabilities. Researchers at the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, estimate that fewer than 1 percent of spinal cord injury sufferers ever make a full recovery. The numbers on spinal cord injuries nationwide paint an equally sobering picture:
- About 12,000 new spinal cord injuries occur each year in the United States, or about 40 cases per 1,000,000 people.
- About 265,000 people now living in the United States live with spinal cord injuries.
- Car accidents cause about 40 percent of spinal cord injuries each year. Another 28 percent are caused by slip and fall accidents, and violent encounters add another 17 percent. The remaining spinal cord injuries are caused by sports, other accidents, or unknown causes.
- The average age of a spinal cord injury sufferer is 40.7 years, but spinal cord injuries can and do occur to people of any age.
- Over half of those who suffer spinal cord injuries are typically employed when the injury occurs. Five years after injury, however, only 11.8 percent of those survivors have jobs. Twenty years later, the number is still only about 37 percent.
Even a mild spinal cord injury can permanently change your life and the lives of those close to you. If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident caused by another’s negligence, the dedicated Southfield personal injury lawyers at Lipton Law can help. Call us today at (248) 557-1688 for a free and confidential consultation.
