Uninsured Motorist Coverage… Don’t Drive Without It!
By Michael Morse | September 14, 2010
Many Michigan drivers do not understand the importance of uninsured motorist coverage. If you are hit and injured by a driver with no insurance you must have uninsured motorist coverage in order to be compensated for pain and suffering. Uninsured motorist coverage is inexpensive and it is always better to purchase as much coverage as you can afford. If you are hit by an uninsured driver and have a very serious injury no uninsured motorist coverage, there will be no way for you to be compensated for your injuries. With uninsured motorist coverage your own insurance company will step in in the shoes of the uninsured driver to compensate you. We often speak to accident victims who were struck by a hit and run driver and have serious injuries. If they have no uninsured motorist coverage, there is no way for them to be compensated no matter how serious their injuries are, Of course, this is awful news to deliver to a person who was merely an innocent victim of a hit and run accident. Review your policies today and make sure you have this coverage, it is worth every penny.
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Injured By A Drunk Driver? Don’t Wait To Take Action!
By Michael Morse | August 25, 2010
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense and is the direct cause of many wrongful deaths in Michigan. In the state of Michigan, any driver with blood-alcohol absorption (BAC) above .08 percent is considered intoxicated under the law.
The number of Michigan car accidents related to alcohol consumption is enormous and even when not fatal; injuries from those accidents are often catastrophic. Statistics reveal the largest number of Michigan accidents involving alcohol occur on Saturdays and Sundays.
It is very important that the investigation in to an alcohol related accident begin quickly. This is in large part because the law also requires the bar or restaurant where the alcohol was served to be notified of the accident and resultant injuries within a specific time frame. A delay in beginning the investigation could mean the time limit for pursuing legal action against the bar expires.
All Michigan accident victims have rights, including those who are hit and injured by a drunk driver. Our attorneys are experts in Michigan No Fault law and Michigan drunk driving accidents. Please visit our website or call us today for free information and consultations on any type of Michigan car accident.
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Don’t Be a Distracted Driver
By Michael Morse | August 2, 2010
Every day our Michigan auto accident attorneys get calls from accident victims who were hit by a distracted driver. Did you know that using your cell phone while driving increases your chance of getting into an accident by 400%? Doing things like dialing a phone number or being involved in intense conversations, means you’re not really watching the road like you should. A “hands-free” device certainly helps, but can’t prevent you from becoming involved in a conversation and losing concentration. The best thing to do is to pull off the road and stop in a safe place before using your phone. With Michigan’s new texting and driving ban, this will also help you avoid a citation!
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$18.00 Insurance Increase for Michigan Drivers
By Michael Morse | July 12, 2010
The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, or MCCA, offers unlimited lifetime medical benefits for Michigan auto accident victims who suffer injuries with medical bills that surpass $325,000.00.
Michigan drivers will pay $18.20 more this year to MCCA. MCCA recently raised the annual assessment to $143.09 per vehicle, the highest amount it has ever assessed. The assessment is passed on from auto insurance companies to drivers’ annual insurance costs. The fee went in to effect on July 1, 2010.
MCCA does not only benefit Michigan drivers who are seriously injured but also covers pedestrians and bicyclists, or anyone else injured in an auto related accident, even if they do not own a vehicle.
If you are injured as a result of a Michigan car accident, call us today for a free consultation.
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Michigan Bans Texting While Driving
By Michael Morse | July 1, 2010
I previously wrote a blog post about Michigan’s new law banning texting while driving. The new law goes into effect today, and should make our Michigan roads safer. We get calls every day from Michigan auto accident victims who were hit and injured by someone who was texting and driving. Check this link for more details including information on fines and using your cell while driving.
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Brain Injury and Michigan Auto Accident Law
By Michael Morse | June 24, 2010
Traumatic head injuries are all too common in Michigan auto accidents. According to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, over 1.9 million Americans suffer a brain injury each year, and approximately 80,000 of those injuries result in long-term disability.
To be compensated for pain and suffering, the law in Michigan requires auto accident victims in to prove that their injury is a “serious impairment of a body function.” The Michigan auto no-fault law defines a “serious impairment of a body function” as an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function that affects a person’s general ability to live his or her normal life. Michigan auto no-fault law allows an exception to this standard if the Michigan auto accident victim suffers a closed head injury or a traumatic brain injury.
If you or a loved one has been in a Michigan car accident and now have a head injury you should talk today with an experienced Michigan auto injury lawyer to help you seek compensation for these devastating, life changing injuries.
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$1,003,500 Awarded: Negligence and Injury Causation Contested
By Michael Morse | June 14, 2010
In a lawsuit filed in Wayne County, Michigan, the plaintiff, represented by Michigan auto accident attorneys Michael Morse and Don Cummings, sought damages for third party auto negligence, underinsured motorist benefits, and outstanding No Fault benefits.
On July 25, 2007 the 36 year old plaintiff was attempting to make a left hand turn onto Canton Center Road in Canton, Michigan. While he was turning another driver, who was driving straight through the light, struck his vehicle.
Plaintiff went to the emergency room later that night complaining of low back pain. An initial MRI of his lumbar spine was read by a neuroradiologist as disc degeneration at L4-L5.
Four months later he fell down a flight of stairs and had another MRI showing a disc herniation in the low back at L4-L5. Plaintiff underwent surgery to remove part of the herniated disc.
Defendants argued causation stating the back injury was related to the fall rather than the car accident.
This Michigan auto accident case settled at mediation for $1,003,500 with $100,000.00 allocated to third party negligence from Auto Owners, $775,000.00 in underinsurance benefits and $128,500 for No Fault benefits.
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Coordinated vs. Uncoordinated Coverage – Make Sure You Know the Difference
By Michael Morse | June 7, 2010
Insurance companies in Michigan provide two types of medical coverage in the event of a Michigan automobile accident: uncoordinated benefits and coordinated benefits. Your Michigan auto insurance policy states which type of benefits you have. If you are a Michigan driver and do not know whether or not your medical benefits are coordinated or uncoordinated, contact your agent and find out today.
An uncoordinated policy pays benefits, even if you have other health insurance. A coordinated policy requires your other health insurance to pay first, and your automobile insurance to pay any amounts that your primary insurer does not cover. Insurance agents most often sell coordinated policies because they cost less. However, if you are injured in a Michigan automobile accident and have uncoordinated coverage, you will be personally reimbursed for all medical payments made by your health carrier. This can help tremendously during the care and recovery period following a Michigan automobile accident. It is not unusual for a primary health insurance policy and an auto insurance policy to contain contradictory language about which one has the first obligation to pay medical bills. This is a confusing area of the Michigan No Fault Act and often injury victims miss out on benefits they’re entitled to. Call us today or visit our website or contact us for a free consultation and more information on coordinated and uncoordinated coverage.
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Beware of Releases and Recorded Statements
By Michael Morse | May 26, 2010
Michigan accident victims are often persuaded by insurance companies to sign documents prematurely. Ultimately this can destroy potential claims for compensation and damage your claim for Michigan No Fault benefits. Insurance adjusters try to get recorded statements early in an attempt to minimize more significant or long term injuries that a Michigan auto accident victim may suffer. Even releases that are presented for damage to your vehicle may contain unrelated language that can jeopardize other injury claims or claims for Michigan No Fault benefits you may have. Protect yourself by refusing to give statements to an insurance company or sign a release without talking to an experienced Michigan auto attorney first. Let the insurance company know you will contact them after your auto accident attorney has reviewed the documents. Always remember, insurance adjusters work for the insurance company. They are not in business to advocate or protect your rights after an auto accident.
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Michigan Bans Texting and Driving
By Michael Morse | May 18, 2010
A ban on the use of cell phones to send text messages or e-mail while driving in Michigan was signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on the April 30th broadcast of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
The Michigan House passed the third and final bill in a texting ban package by an 82-22 vote. The Legislature passed the main bills in the package in April. The ban will go into effect for Michigan drivers July 1, 2010.
So what does it mean? As of July 1, texting will be a primary offense, meaning police can pull over Michigan motorists for texting alone. A first offense would cost $100 and repeat offenses would cost $200. No points will be added to a violator’s driving record.
Topics: Michigan car accident laws, Michigan Car Accident Lawyer | Comments Off
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