8 Year Old Boy Killed in Hit and Run in Detroit

8 Year Old Boy Killed in Hit and Run in Detroit, MI

Expert Michigan car accident attorney is reporting a hit and run crash that killed an 8 year old boy in Detroit. The name of the child has not yet been released.

The boy was riding his bike near Abington Avenue and West Chicago Road when he was struck by an SUV while trying to cross the road. Witnesses say that the driver never slowed down before or after the accident. The driver of the SUV did not stop after hitting the boy. The boy was dragged by the SUV for about a block. His bike remained attached to the vehicle for close to a mile.

Police have towed a vehicle that they believe to be the one driven in the hit and run. According to Commander Steve Dolunt the vehicle is a late 90’s red Ford Explorer with a beige stripe. The paint is faded and the muffler was dragging. It was driven by a light skinned black male who was wearing a hat at the time. They do not have a name or any further description on the driver at this time.

Detroit police are asking for anyone who witnessed the hit and run or may know this driver is to call the Detroit Police Station immediately.

If you are involved in an accident in the state of Michigan, you are required to stop your vehicle as soon as possible. It is illegal to flee the scene of an accident. According to  257.617, a hit and run involving the death of another person is a felony with penalties including

  • up to 5 years in prison and/or
  • a fine of no more than $5000 or
  • both

OR

  • imprisonment of not more than 15 years and/or
  •  a fine of not more than $10,000 or
  • Both

If you or a loved one have been a victim in a hit and run you will need an attorney to help protect your rights. Anyone who causes an accident and chooses not to stop should to be punished to the full extent of the law. The statute of limitations does not run out for six years after a hit and run. This means you have 6 years to press charges against the person who committed the hit and run, but it is always better to begin the process as soon as possible. As time goes by people tend to forget important details about what happened. Memories fade and details just get lost. To prevent this from happening to you, contact an attorney immediately.

If you are the person who committed the hit and run crime you will need a criminal defense attorney to take your case. Since committing a hit and run that caused the death of another person is a felony you will be facing high fines and possible imprisonment. This is not something to take lightly.

Man Drives through a 7-11 Window in Novi MI

Expert Michigan car accident attorney is reporting a car crash that occurred this morning. The car crash ended with a car going through the glass window of a 7-11 store in Novi, MI. 

The accident happened around 10:00am on Wednesday 9/18/13 at a 7-11 near the intersection of 10 Mile and Meadowbrook Roads.

The driver of the vehicle is reported to be a 70 year old man from Novi who was driving a Honda CRV. His name has not yet been released. There have not been any tickets issued at this time. News reports state that the man’s foot slipped off of the brake pedal and onto the gas pedal. No injuries have been reported in this accident.

Insurance companies such as AAA offer driving tips for seniors to help keep your older loved ones safe when on the road. Some vehicle manufacturers offer adjustable pedals as a special feature in their cars. This feature could help to eliminate accidents that come from accidental driver negligence like a foot slipping off of the brake pedal.

If your loved one is a senior driver, here are some ways to help keep them safe on the road;

  • Seniors should discuss driving with their primary care doctor and have regular evaluations by the physician.
  • If the senior is fearful of traffic, have them plan their driving times to avoid rush hour traffic.
  • Always be aware of your own physical limitations.
  • Seniors should get regular eye exams.
  • If your senior has prescription glasses, be sure they wear them every time they get into the car.
  • If you are feel that your senior should not be driving, you can request a driver’s reexamination through the Michigan Department of State by writing a letter to them or submitting an OG-88 form.

There are times when a physical or mental condition can impair a person’s ability to safely drive a car. Sometimes these impairments are caused by the time of day or the speed of the road. At times there is a simple solution to the problem like adding extra mirrors to the car. Other times Secretary of State will issue a restricted driver’s license. The restricted driver’s license can restrict the driver to

  • Only driving between the hours of dawn and dusk.
  • Not driving on high speed roads such as freeways.
  • Require special eyewear to be worn when driving.

If you are a senior or the loved one of a senior that is in a situation similar to this within the state of Michigan, contact a Michigan car accident attorney to ensure the rights of yourself or your loved one are fully protected.

 

Man Killed in a Car Accident at I94 and Wagner Road

A 25 year old Ann Arbor man was killed in a car accident during the early hours of September 13, 2013 at I94 and Wagner road in Scio Township. Dillon Orion-Dorje Ptaszek was the son of the Washtenaw County undersheriff. He was traveling westbound on I94 when the vehicle he was driving went off the road for unknown reasons. It is believed that the car hit a construction light generator. It then flipped over several times and caught on fire. Ptaszek was found dead at the scene. Plaszek was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash and there are no reports of other cars being involved.

The crash is currently being investigated by Michigan State Police Troopers from the Brighton post. Further information will not be available until after the autopsy is complete.

Ptaszek was a graduate of Ypsilanti High School and graduated with honors from the University of New England where he earned a degree in marine biology. Some of his passions included music, scuba diving, and skate boarding.

Memorial visitation is being held on September 16, 2013 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm. Memorial services will be held on September 17, 2013 at 11:00am. The family is requesting donations be made in Dillon’s honor to either an AIDs research or National Resources charity in lieu of flowers.  

Roseville, MI Wrongful Death Motorcycle Crash Leaves Driver Dead and Passenger Injured

Roseville, MI Wrongful Death Motorcycle Crash Leaves Driver Dead and Passenger Injured

Michigan attorney discusses a motorcycle accident in Roseville, MI that left a 36-year old Warren motorcyclist dead and his passenger in critical condition. Police have reported that early this morning, a 36-year old Warren motorcyclist was killed, and his passenger critically injured, in a crash this morning on I-696 in Roseville. The driver exited eastbound I-696 to eastbound 11 Mile Road at “an extremely high rate of speed,” according to a released today by Roseville Police Chief James Berlin. It appears that the cyclist was unable to make a turn at the top of the ramp, and then lost control and slammed into the wall and a fence. Because neither the driver nor the 24-year old woman passenger, who was from St. Clair Shores, were wearing helmets, both suffered head injuries. The woman passenger is currently being treated in a hospital and is in local condition. At this time, the police do not know whether or not alcohol played a part in the crash.

Michigan Wrongful Death Law

Michigan is like many states in that it provides a statutory basis for wrongful death claims. Wrongful death claims are appropriate where a loved one’s death was caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another. Michigan’s wrongful death statutes allow anyone who has suffered damages as the result of another to recover for that loss. One important qualifier is that all affected individuals must bring their claims in one consolidated action. The estate of the deceased must appoint a personal representative, who will in turn represent both the estate and anyone else who may have a claim to wrongful death benefits.

Relevant law provides that the estate of the decedent may bring an action for wrongful death against any individual, corporation, or other entity which resulted in the death, as long as the death was caused by ‘wrongful act, neglect or fault of another.’ Historically speaking, Michigan law held that when an individual died, any claims he had may have died along with him. This mean that the family or estate of a decedent had no legal action against whoever caused his death, as that right terminated with the decedent, and prevented the pursuance of an pending cases that the decedent might have had at the time of his or her death.

The existence of wrongful death claims in Michigan means that neither of these two legal concepts still hold any weight. Wrongful death law explicitly states that “all actions and claims survive death,” and that in addition to any claims for injuries which result in death, any actions “pending at the time of death” may be amended and continued within the confines of the wrongful death statute.

Sterling Heights, Michigan, Dog Bites Off Woman’s Finger

Dog Bites Off  Woman’s Finger in Sterling Heights, MI

Sterling Heights, Michigan personal injury attorney discusses case in which a dog bit off a woman’s finger. Police have ticketed the dog owner, but the case is still under investigation.

Police have reported that a 54-year old woman, whose identity was unknown, had a finger bitten off, and the tips of several others severed, by multiple dog bites on Tuesday night. Reports have indicated that the injuries were sustained while the victim was trying to protect her own dog from a much larger one. The owner of the larger dog was also issued multiple tickets, including: harboring a dangerous animal, failing to restrain a dangerous animal, and having an unlicensed dog. Also, the dog was not up to date with its rabies vaccinations, the owner has had the dog euthanized for testing. It is not known whether the victim has yet retained a Michigan dog bite attorney.

Michigan Dog Bite Law

Michigan dog bite law is relatively standard. Michigan has a ‘strict liability’ dog bite statute. This means that dog bite victims can bring actions against the owners for violation of the statute in addition to negligence actions. This means that owners can be held liable for any injuries caused by their animals, no matter what precautions they took. This also means that it is much easier for victims to bring claims against dog owners. Proper restraint and training are essential to prevent injuries and lawsuits.

This incident also calls attention to another aspect of dog bite cases: the potential for criminal charges. The owner in this case was ticketed with multiple offenses. This in turn imposes penalties by the state in addition to any potential liability incurred as a result of a lawsuit brought by a private actor. Seeking to protect the public, the government has enacted regulations for failing to take proper care of dogs.

This unfortunate incident here serves to call attention to another, often ignored aspect of dog bite cases: the potential for criminal liability. As noted, the owner of the vicious dog was ticketed with multiple offenses. This means that, in addition to a potential lawsuit brought by the victim, the dog owner was also subject to citation from the government. Seeking to protect the public safety, the government sanctions dog owners for failing to take proper care of their animals.

Sterling Heights, Michigan, Dog Bites Off Womans Finger

Dog Bites Off Womans Finger in Sterling Heights, MI

Sterling Heights, Michigan personal injury attorney discusses case in which a dog bit off a womans finger. Police have ticketed the dog owner, but the case is still under investigation.

Police have reported that a 54-year old woman, whose identity was unknown, had a finger bitten off, and the tips of several others severed, by multiple dog bites on Tuesday night. Reports have indicated that the injuries were sustained while the victim was trying to protect her own dog from a much larger one. The owner of the larger dog was also issued multiple tickets, including: harboring a dangerous animal, failing to restrain a dangerous animal, and having an unlicensed dog. Also, the dog was not up to date with its rabies vaccinations, the owner has had the dog euthanized for testing. It is not known whether the victim has yet retained a Michigan dog bite attorney.

Michigan Dog Bite Law

Michigan dog bite law is relatively standard. Michigan has a strict liability dog bite statute. This means that dog bite victims can bring actions against the owners for violation of the statute in addition to negligence actions. This means that owners can be held liable for any injuries caused by their animals, no matter what precautions they took. This also means that it is much easier for victims to bring claims against dog owners. Proper restraint and training are essential to prevent injuries and lawsuits.

This incident also calls attention to another aspect of dog bite cases: the potential for criminal charges. The owner in this case was ticketed with multiple offenses. This in turn imposes penalties by the state in addition to any potential liability incurred as a result of a lawsuit brought by a private actor. Seeking to protect the public, the government has enacted regulations for failing to take proper care of dogs.

This unfortunate incident here serves to call attention to another, often ignored aspect of dog bite cases: the potential for criminal liability. As noted, the owner of the vicious dog was ticketed with multiple offenses. This means that, in addition to a potential lawsuit brought by the victim, the dog owner was also subject to citation from the government. Seeking to protect the public safety, the government sanctions dog owners for failing to take proper care of their animals.

Sterling Heights, Michigan, Dog Bites Off Woman���s Finger

Dog Bites Off ��Woman���s Finger in Sterling Heights, MI

Sterling Heights, Michigan personal injury attorney discusses case in which a dog bit off a woman���s finger. Police have ticketed the dog owner, but the case is still under investigation.

Police have reported that a 54-year old woman, whose identity was unknown, had a finger bitten off, and the tips of several others severed, by multiple dog bites on Tuesday night. Reports have indicated that the injuries were sustained while the victim was trying to protect her own dog from a much larger one. The owner of the larger dog was also issued multiple tickets, including: harboring a dangerous animal, failing to restrain a dangerous animal, and having an unlicensed dog. Also, the dog was not up to date with its rabies vaccinations, the owner has had the dog euthanized for testing. It is not known whether the victim has yet retained a Michigan dog bite attorney.

Michigan Dog Bite Law

Michigan dog bite law is relatively standard. Michigan has a ���strict liability��� dog bite statute. This means that dog bite victims can bring actions against the owners for violation of the statute in addition to negligence actions. This means that owners can be held liable for any injuries caused by their animals, no matter what precautions they took. This also means that it is much easier for victims to bring claims against dog owners. Proper restraint and training are essential to prevent injuries and lawsuits.

This incident also calls attention to another aspect of dog bite cases: the potential for criminal charges. The owner in this case was ticketed with multiple offenses. This in turn imposes penalties by the state in addition to any potential liability incurred as a result of a lawsuit brought by a private actor. Seeking to protect the public, the government has enacted regulations for failing to take proper care of dogs.

This unfortunate incident here serves to call attention to another, often ignored aspect of dog bite cases: the potential for criminal liability. As noted, the owner of the vicious dog was ticketed with multiple offenses. This means that, in addition to a potential lawsuit brought by the victim, the dog owner was also subject to citation from the government. Seeking to protect the public safety, the government sanctions dog owners for failing to take proper care of their animals.

Michigan Dog Bite Claims, 6th in the Nation

Michigan 6th in the Nation for Number of Dog Bite Claims

Michigan dog bites remain unfortunately common, often happening due to poor breeding, improper training, or inappropriate behavior on the parts of others. Often, dog bites require both dog owners and dog bite victims to retain the services of qualified Michigan dog bite lawyers.

Prevalence of Michigan Dog Bites

Recent data released by the State Farm Insurance Agency indicates that the State of Michigan ranks 6th in the country in terms of the number of Michigan dog bites that the insurance agency processed in 2012. The claims processed in the state last year cost the insurance industry as a whole $4.6 million.

Michigan Dog Bite Law

Michigan is considered a ‘strict liability’ state as relates to dog bites, which means that a Michigan dog owner is responsible for any injury that their dog causes to a dog bite victim. This means that a dog need not have a previous history of viciousness for an owner to be liable, nor need the owner be aware of any previous viciousness. The only two elements necessary to prove a Michigan dog bite claim are the ability to prove that the defendant was the owner of the dog that was responsible for the bite, and the ability to prove that the bite actually happened.

This information makes it vital that dog owners remain constantly aware of and responsible for their dog’s behavior – contrary to popular belief, there is no allowance for bites in the state of Michigan. Michigan’s strict liability system means that even one bite can be enough to make a dog owner liable for the behavior of their dog.

Four killed in Oliver Township, Michigan car accident

Four killed in Oliver Township, Michigan car accident

Oliver Township, Michigan car accidents remain an unfortunate and often tragic element of modern life, often leaving drivers, passengers, and bystanders injured. Such accidents often necessitate representation by Michigan Car Accident Attorneys, and can occur as a result of failure to follow regulations, less-than-ideal weather conditions, or other circumstances.

Accident in Oliver Township

Huron County sheriffs responded to a two-vehicle car accident in Oliver Township, Michigan at the intersection of Stein and Maxwell roads on Saturday, July 28 that left four, Joshua C. Heck, 40, Jessica A. Heck, 38, Taylor J. Heck, 13, and Brendon Smith, 13, dead, and two, Jarrod R. Heck ,15, and Jacob A. Langley, 20, injured. Investigators have stressed that many details of the accident remain unclear, but have noted that it may have been the case that one vehicle entered the intersection in question without being aware of the presence of the other vehicle. Although this incident is unquestionably tragic, our office understands that it can still serve to remind citizens both of their responsibilities as drivers and of their rights in the event that they should find themselves in a car accident.

Michigan No-Fault Law

Michigan no-fault law requires all motorists to possess insurance, and guarantees recovery for parties injured in car accidents. It does, however, limit recovery to cases involving serious and permanent injury or impairment, or death.

Another significant change brought about by Michigan no-fault law is an alteration in the type of individual covered under the law. While traditional insurance permitted only those individuals directly involved in the accident to seek recovery, no-fault law permits recovery by the injured and their spouse or relatives if they were involved in the accident, the operator and passengers of the vehicle, and non-occupants or pedestrians injured by the vehicle. Thus, in the case in question, the legal representatives of the deceased parties and the injured parties would potentially be protected by the law.

In seeking compensation, these parties could attempt to recover pain and suffering damages (also called non-economic damages), or monetary damages designed to account for medical or funeral costs or the loss of potential future wages.

Sterling Heights Car Accident, 4 Injured

Car Accident In Sterling Heights Michigan, Four Injured

There was a nasty car accident at the corner of 19 Mile and Mound Road in Sterling Heights Michigan this past Monday. As is true in nearly every traffic accident, it appears that the responsible party blew through a red light. 4 People were injured (2 people in each vehicle) – 1 critically – in the crash.

Who’s Responsible?

It is pretty clear that the driver who blew through the red light is liable for the injuries that were caused in this accident. Each person’s own insurance will cover their PIP benefits. PIP benefits cover all economic damages for those who are injured in an crahs involving a motor vehicle. PIP benefits cover benefits for medical and rehabilitation expenses, the cost for treatment and medicine, lost wages, replacement services, and even survivor’s loss benefits. However, in an accident where one is “critically” injured (like in this case) and suffers a threshold injury, the injured passengers may sue the negligent driver for non-economic damages like pain and suffering. This does not apply only to the driver and passenger of the other car. This also includes the passenger riding with the responsible party.

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys

Car accidents can have devastating consequences that last a lifetime. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, you need to contact an experienced Michigan personal injury and no-fault insurance attorney right away. Only an experienced Michigan Car Accident Lawyer can let you know what the law is, and how it applies to your situation.

Summary

Unfortunately, serious Michigan car accidents seem to pop up regularly in the Metro Detroit area. Whether you are the passenger in another vehicle, or whether you were riding with the responsible party, you may be entitled to PIP benefit under Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Act, and you may have a legitimate negligence claim against the responsible party as well. Only an experienced Michigan personal injury Attorney can let you know one way or the other.