How to Prevent Slow Winter Weather Travel Time

This winter has been very unpredictable in a number of ways and it appears that Mother Nature isn’t quite done with us yet. The entire Detroit, Michigan area has been getting pelted with snow, sleet, and rain the past couple of weeks and according to MLive, it looks like the bad weather will continue. 

Bad weather causes bad injuries. As such, it is very important to stay safe when driving in winter weather conditions. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has reported many accidents, cars in ditches and medians, and other winter weather related issues on our roadways. These road related problems become even bigger issues during peak traffic hours due to the sheer volume of drivers on the road. Thus, traffic is jammed and drivers spend a lot longer trying to reach their destinations. 

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Weather services have predicted up to fourteen inches of snow in some areas, with snowfall extending all the way until 11 AM on Thursday morning. This continuation of snowfall will worsen driving conditions, heighten the probability of car crashes occurring, and will extend commutes indefinitely.

To shorten commutes and to promote save driving, commuters should find alternate ways to get to work, school, or wherever it is they are going. As thousands of people in Detroit, Michigan and its suburbs work for very large companies, it makes sense that since they are travelling to the same location, they should carpool. Carpooling significantly reduces the number of vehicles on the road, allowing for faster travel times, even in bad weather conditions.

Another alternate mode of transportation to reduce commuting time is to utilize the public bus system. Though buses are not usually the fastest way to get around town, they can certainly be faster during times of poor road conditions. Since buses are so large, the average bus can fit 40 people and only take up the same of 3 cars on the road. Therefore, if more people were to use public transportation as opposed to driving one car per person,  there would be much more space on the road, thereby reducing travel times. 

Not only would these alternate methods of transportation make for faster commutes, but they would also be more friendly to the environment. After all, the reason for this winter being so unpredictable is because the environment is hurting from all of the pollution cars produce. Therefore, to be safer, to cut down on commuting time, and to help the environment, it is important for drivers to consider carpooling or taking the bus. 

Driving in poor weather conditions increases the chance of car crashes and in turn increases the chances of serious bodily harm. If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident due to bad weather conditions, call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM, for a free consultation.. The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC is highly skilled in helping victims of automotive injuries. Our experienced attorneys fight to help receive any compensation victims of car accidents may be entitled to, under Michigan law. 

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Tell The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC today about your injury case. We handle car accident, slip and fall, dog bite lawsuits throughout Michigan.  We offer free consultations.

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Flint In Snow-Emergency Mode After Winter Weather

MLive reported that Karen Weaver, the mayor of Flint, declared a snow emergency earlier this week due to worsening conditions in the area. This state of emergency, which was extended through Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 6 PM, made it illegal to park cars on city streets to ensure that city plows could take to the streets as easily as possible. Extra snow removal crews were also out and about in Flint helping the regular crews clear roads and helping any individuals who may be in need of assistance.

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This weather could not come at a worse time for citizens of Flint, because many residents are still having their water rationed due to the recent water crisis plaguing the city.  Michigan State Police Capt. Chris Kelenske told the Detroit Free Press, “I strongly encourage Flint residents to plan ahead and obtain their filters, cartridges and bottled water early to avoid being out in the storm.” release. Water can be picked up at a number of fire stations in Flint including stations #1, 3, 5, 6, and 8.

It is also important to drive cautiously in winter driving conditions. AAA posted these winter driving tips to help ensure you are safe when driving in the snow:

  • Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
  • Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
  • The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
  • Know your brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS) and need to slow down quickly, press hard on the pedal-it’s normal for the pedal to vibrate a bit when the ABS is activated. In cars without ABS, use “threshold” breaking, keeping your heel on the floorboard and using th ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
  • Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
  • Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
  • Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
  • Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

Drivers in Flint, Michigan or any place with bad winter weather should be extremely cautious when driving in snowy or icy conditions. Motor vehicle collisions are much more likely to occur in winter weather than in normal weather conditions. By following these rules, drivers can help prevent serious bodily harm or possibly even death.

It is always important to drive cautiously poor weather conditions because it can lessen your chance of being involved in a car crash. If you or someone you know have been injured in an auto accident, speak to an attorney at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys are highly skilled in helping victims of automotive injuries receive any compensation they may be entitled to, under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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Drunk Driving Statistics- What You Should Know

Drunk Driving is illegal in every state and can land you in jail with a heap of fines to boot. Although everyone knows drunk driving is illegal, the statistics can be somewhat staggering. Here are some statistics about drunk driving from Mothers Against Drunk Driving:

  • 50% to 75% of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license.
  • The average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before his first arrest.
  • The rate of drunk driving is highest among 21 to 25 year-olds (23.4%).
  • Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash.
  • Drunk driving costs the United States $199 billion a year.
  • On average, 2 in 3 people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime.
  • Drunk driving costs each adult in the United States almost $800 per year.
  • In 2012, 29.1 million people admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol.
  • Every day in America, 28 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes.
  • In 2013, 10,076 people died in drunk driving crashes - one every 52 minutes - and 290,000 were injured in drunk driving crashes.
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As you can see, the statistics about drunk driving are distressing. It is very important to keep a level head while drinking and always arrange a designated driver if you plan to drink. If you are the designated driver, even one drink is one too many to get behind the wheel and endanger your life, the lives of those in the car with you, and the lives of those on the road. It is also very important to educate our youth on the dangers of drunk driving, because they are the most at risk. By ensuring that we know how to control ourselves, we can teach our youth the same. Drive sober or get pulled over!

If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, speak to an attorney at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys are highly skilled in helping victims of automotive injuries receive any compensation they may be entitled to, under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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Tell The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC today about your injury case. We handle car accident, slip and fall, dog bite lawsuits throughout Michigan.  We offer free consultations.

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Metro Detroit Physician Sentenced To 45 Years For Health Care Fraud

DETROIT, MI - Think you may be a victim of health care fraud? Well you aren’t the only one. A prominent Metro Detroit physician was recently sentenced to 45 years after he was found guilty of prescribing chemotherapy treatment to thousands of patients without probable cause.

The once prominent physician, Dr. Farid Fata sat in a courtroom in downtown Detroit last summer awaiting sentencing for over-treating, under-treating and mistreating hundreds of patients in addition to insurance fraud. Expert witness Robert Sobieray, a former patient of the doctor and present at the hearing, described the treatment the doctor recommended for his supposed “metastatic bone cancer.”

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Associate professor, Dr. David Steensma of Harvard Medical School and cancer physician testified for the prosecutors stating, 

“I’m not sure what they thought they were radiating.”

Sobieray, who was misled about the side effects of the chemo drug, Zometa, stated in front of the U.S. District Judge Paul Borman’s court during the sentencing last summer:

"I have one tooth left. I had to have pieces of my gums and teeth cut out."

About 22 victim's statements were read last year. Some called Fata an “evil monsters” and others dropped his credentials saying he no longer deserved the title of “doctor.”

Fata, a married father of three, plead guilty back in September of 2014 to one count of conspiring to pay and receive kickbacks, 13 counts of health care fraud and two counts of money laundering. Federal prosecutors said Fata had over 500 victims and has collected millions of dollars.

The hearing, which began on a Monday went on for a week with hundreds of victims giving their statements. Prosecutors aimed for a 175 year sentence but Fata’s attorneys fought for just a 25 year sentence. Fata received 45 years.

"One question was asked over and over, 'How was Dr. Fata allowed to get away with this?' In the pending civil litigation we hope to answer that question and hold accountable everyone who played a role in this epidemic of medical malpractice." said the personal injury lawyer who represented several of Fata’s victims in civil court. 

Source: freep.com

Involved in a personal injury accident? Contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC.  Our experienced legal team is ready to help with your injury lawsuit and recover the compensation you are entitled to under Michigan law.  Call us at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

State of Michigan to See Potential Speed Limit Changes

A committee within Michigan's House of Representatives approved a package recently that would allow for a change in speed limits in rural areas ABC 10 of the Upper Peninsula reported. This would raise the speed limit for cars on highways to 75 miles per hour and larger trucks to 60 miles per hour. Some in the House oppose this shift for a number of safety reasons, including many of the areas mentioned needing new asphalt, higher risk of accidents, and a swing in costs due to the higher number of potential auto accidents.

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It appears that these fears are not unwarranted, especially considering the large amount of data that is available about automobile accidents. in 2012, the U.S. Department of Transportation found that of the 33,561 auto fatalities, 30 percent of those were speeding related. This statistic is even higher in earlier years. These numbers get even higher when alcohol is mixed in, reporting that in 2012 over 40% of speeding drivers had BAC levels of .08 or higher, compared to only 16% of drivers who were not speeding. This not only raises a safety issue for those who are speeding, but for the drivers around those few reckless drivers as well.

It is important to keep safety in mind whenever operating an automobile, not only for your own well being, but for the well being of those around you as well. Be sure to not exceed the posted speed limit, and to slow down in worse driving conditions such as snow, rain, and fog. If you encounter a driver who is driving recklessly or appears to be driving drunk, avoid the driver at all costs, and if they become a hazard to drivers call the police to report it.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, speak to an attorney at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys are highly skilled in helping victims of automotive injuries receive any compensation they may be entitled to, under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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Texting and Driving: New Police Technique Foils Law-Breakers

Police in San Antonio have a new tactic for catching violaters of texting and driving laws, Fox 29 of San Antonio reported. On certain roads and highways police are now using spotters on city buses to catch drivers texting behind the wheel. This new technique places people on buses in communication with police throughout the bus route to try and catch people violated the law that started in 2009. The department issued 40 citations in only two and a half hours, and they even let some drives go because they did not have enough police in the area to give out all the citations.

New techniques such as this are popping up around the country and they are really helping cut down on texting and driving accidents and deaths, which are still a huge problem for drivers of all ages, but in particular young drivers. A recent study shows that 40% of teens say they have been a passenger in a car in which the driver used a cell phone in a way that put themselves and their passengers in danger, Huffington Post reported. In 2013 over 340,000 accidents were reported that cited texting and driving as a factor in the incident. On average, 9 Americans die every day due to distracted driving, including disturbances such as texting or general cell phone use.

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Texting and driving is a huge deal in the current technological age we live in, and it compromises safety of drivers and their passengers. States are passing laws to try and cut down on the number of accidents due to texting and driving, but there is only so much that the state and our police force can do. It is important to keep your cell phone out of your hands while driving and ensure that when riding in a car ensure that your driver does the same. A text message is never worth your life or the life of another.

Be sure to educate yourself on Michigan driving laws, and if you have been injured in an auto accident, speak to an attorney at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys are highly skilled in helping victims of automotive injuries receive any compensation they may be entitled to, under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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Snow Finally Hitting Detroit: How To Prepare

WDIV Detroit reported today that the snow the Metro-Detroit area is currently experiencing isn’t stopping anytime soon, and that we can expect to see flurries on and off for the next ten or so days, accompanied by the lowest temperatures of the winter, so far. As the lake effect snow continues to fall, it will become more and more of a problem for drivers and residents of the area. This weather has already closed a number of schools this week and has caused a number of accidents on major roadways.

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It is important when driving in this winter weather to practice good driving technique. Knowing how your vehicle will react is the difference between a skid and an accident. According to the United States Department of Labor, when the weather is shifts for the worst, increase your following distance to lessen the risk of an accident, keep your eyes open for ice and pedestrians at a longer distance, and if you do begin to skid, steer into the skid to get back to normality quicker. Lastly, it is important to keep calm. If you are behind the wheel and stressed, you will increase your risk of an accident.

So far, we have had a very warm winter, but with snow moving in quickly it is important to keep in mind the proper driving technique for when the weather is not as nice. According to a recent study, over 800 people die every year because of winter weather driving conditions. In 2014, 11.8% of all accidents in Michigan were related to snow/blowing snow, according to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts. Stay off the roads if at all possible, and if you do have to drive, remember that safety comes first!

If you have been injured in an auto accident, speak to an attorney at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys are highly skilled in helping victims of automotive injuries receive any compensation they may be entitled to, under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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Automakers Recall 5 Million Vehicles Worldwide Due to Faulty Airbags

Continental Automotive Systems, an automotive electronics supplier based in Hanover, Germany, announced recently that a faulty part lead to the recall of over five million vehicles worldwide. The Detroit Associated Press reported that moisture may leak into the airbag control computer, causing the power supply to corrode and potentially fail. So far, Honda, Fiat, Chrysler, and Mercedes have issued recalls on vehicles dating as far back as 2006. Honda reported two car accident injuries last year due to the issue.

Air Bag Image

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, frontal airbags reduce driver fatalities by 29% and fatalities of front-seat passengers who are 13 and older are reduced by 30%. Essentially, airbags are cushions which inflate when a vehicle crashes to prevent the occupants of the vehicle from hitting the interior and also prevent objects from outside of the vehicle projecting into the vehicle to harm the occupants.

As of 2013, over 39,000 lives had been saved by frontal airbags.

Typically car airbags last the life of the car, or at least until the airbag has been deployed. Airbag malfunction is always possible, so it is very important to ensure that you schedule routine checkups for your vehicle's safety. To determine whether your vehicle has been recalled, you can enter your VIN at SafeCar.gov to see a list of potential safety issues. It is also good to remember that children under the age of 12 should not sit in the front seat of any vehicle due to the risk of being suffocated by the airbag. Although it is good to be prepared, sometimes precaution is not enough, and accidents do happen. If you are in an accident, ensure that your airbags are properly replaced afterwards to ensure they are ready in the case of another auto accident.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, speak to an attorney at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys are highly skilled in helping victims of automotive injuries receive any compensation they may be entitled to, under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

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Detroit Ranks 110th in Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report

Detroit landed itself in 110th place for the year of 2015, according to Allstate’s yearly Best Driver Report, a list of cities in which you are least likely to experience a collision in. Out of 200 cities, Detroit was right in the middle, ranking 110, falling six spots from 104 in 2014, and falling a few more from 101 in 2013. Detroit has remained roughly in it’s current position for the past decade, but experienced a large drop from its perch in the top 30 from 2007 to 2008, falling from 25 to 163 in just one year.

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In 2015, Warren, Michigan ranked 116th, Grand Rapids ranked 140th, and Sterling Heights ranked 161st. Flint has not been ranked by Allstate for almost a decade, but it did receive the title as the third safest driving city in America in 2007.

In 2016, it appears that Michigan is still struggling with road safety, and the issues lie in a number of places. One of the largest issues facing Michigan drivers is road conditions. Last year a national research group ranked Metro Detroit’s roads as the fourth worst among cities with a population over 500,000 in the nation, The Detroit News reported. According to the research, in 2015 up to 56% of major roads in metro areas are in poor condition. Although Detroit’s numbers aren’t as high as the three that beat it out (San Francisco/Oakland 74%, Los Angeles Metro Area 73%, Concord Metro Area 62%), it is still a very big issues facing drivers. These roads can cause damage to vehicles and even be a catalyst in creating situations in which accidents occur.

Flint, Michigan also cracked the list, being crowned the worst city in terms of road conditions of the cities in America with between 250,000 and 500,000 people. According to the study, 74% of roads in Flint are in poor condition.

This is a huge issue for drivers, especially when it comes to safety. Not only can these road conditions cause damage to the vehicle which makes driving it less safe, but these conditions can also cause accidents.

 

If you have been injured in an auto accident, speak to an attorney at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys are highly skilled in helping victims of automotive injuries receive any compensation they may be entitled to, under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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Canton Resident Records Motorists Running Neighborhood Stop Signs

A concerned Canton resident began taking things into her own hands, recording drivers running stop signs in her neighborhood, WDIV Detroit reported. The resident explained how people cut through her neighborhood to avoid the traffic on Ford Road, but this causes issues because unlike Ford road, the corner of Hanford Road and Willow Creek Drive is in a residential neighborhood with people out and about and children playing. This creates a very dangerous environment because of motorists not following traffic laws, someone could very easily suffer an injury from a car accident.

Canton, Michigan are asking for anything to fix this issue, anything from speed bumps to blinking lights, so their kids can be safe in the neighborhood. One resident even stated that he considered moving to another neighborhood because of the traffic safety concerns. Although there hasn’t been an accident at this particular corner for five years, police are enacting a selective enforcement plan to monitor the area for two weeks to attempt to gather statistics to fix the issue.

Stop Sign

Always monitoring road signs and signals is a very important part of being an educated and in control driver. Failing to stop at stop signs, ignoring speed limit restrictions, and other traffic violations are not only illegal and ticketable, but they are very dangerous. in 2013 speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all motor vehicle crash that ended in death, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported.

Failing to follow traffic laws, even something as simple as stopping at a stop sign, can lead to fine, injury, and even death of you or those around you. It is important to ensure that you always follow traffic laws, and avoid drivers you can visibly see are not following traffic laws to try and lower your risk of getting into an accident due to their negligent driving.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, speak to an attorney at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Speak to a Michigan lawyer who is skilled in helping victims of automotive accidents receive compensation for pain and suffering. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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Ann Arbor Biker Fights Ticket, Wins

Tim Panagis was ticketed for ‘impeding traffic’ in June when he was pulled over by a Michigan State Trooper, a ticket in which he would later fight, and win, The Detroit Free Press reported. A video surfaced online after the incident showing Panagis riding just to the left of the outer white line, being pulled over, and telling the officer that he did nothing wrong, getting ticketed, and being told to ‘tell it to the judge,’ which he eventually did. The Livingston County Circuit found in favor of the biker, explaining that the rules of the road are that bikers are not forced to ride on the shoulder, just close to the edge of the road, which Panagis was doing. The case shows that as a biker, and a driver, you need to know the laws of the road and that our police officers are not incapable of making mistakes.

Ann Arbor, Michigan is a very "bike friendly" city. According to A2.gov, Ann Arbor was designated a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly City by the League of American Bicyclists since 2005, has been recognized as a Gold-Status community by the Promoting Active Communities Assessment, an initiative run by the state of Michigan in which promotes active living in Michigan communities, and added over four bicycle lane miles in 2012, increasing their total to over 71 lane miles.

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With so many bikers on the road it is very important for drivers and bikers to constantly be cautious on the road and share lanes with bicyclists. By using caution the chances of injuring or killing a cyclist is far less. Also, it is important for both cyclists and drivers to know their rights, who has the right of way, and where they are allowed to ride and drive.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident while riding a bicycle, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in handling auto accidents including bicycle collisions. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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