Black Ice: What To Look Out For

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Winters in Michigan can be brutal and cold, and now that winter is here it is important to keep an eye out for ice. One of the most dangerous, and worst types of ice out on the roads, is black ice. Black ice is also referred to as clear ice. It is a thin, transparent coating of ice on the surface of the road. The ice is not actually black in color but almost see-through, making the dark road below visible. Black ice has the ability to blend in with it's surroundings. Even for the most experienced drivers, black ice is unpredictable and should be avoided if possible.

Black ice is so dangerous that there is an average of 467 car related accidents per year due to black ice. 

While driving, black ice appears to the driver as if the surface is only wet. Even using high beams will not make the black ice visible. Black ice has been known to appear even after a light drizzle, if the temperatures are cold enough. The best course of action is for drivers to try and avoid driving during frozen rain and extreme drops in air temperatures after a rain or snow storm. 

Sometimes drivers can spot where black ice may be. One way is to look out for small puddles of water in the road. This is an indicator that ice may be in the area and it is beginning to melt. Also, checking the car to see if frozen sheets of ice are covering it can determine how cold the air is outside. If there is ice on a car than there is a great chance that ice has already formed on the road, making car accidents more likely to happen. Black ice is most likely to form during the dawn and at night when the temperatures have dropped and there is not enough sunlight to melt it. The air only has to be 32 or below for ice to begin forming. 

As always, listening to extreme weather alerts is a great way to make sure that all hazards of the road are avoided during the winter season.

Black Ice Driving Safety Tips

  1. Drive slow.
  2. Maintain a safe driving distance when behind other cars.
  3. Do not slam on the brakes while driving

If you or someone you know has ever been involved in any type of car accident resulting from extreme weather conditions such as black ice, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with all types of personal injury accidents. We will work to ensure you obtain all benefits you are entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.    

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Pit Bull Bites 14-year Old Girl From Grand Haven, MI

On July 15th, 2015 a 14-year old girl was bitten by a pit bull while out with her family. As reported by The Detroit Free Press, Brittania Bird of Grand Haven, Mi was bitten by the pit bull while she was petting it. The bite caused injuries to her lips, nose and one of her eyelids.

Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

"My eye was my biggest concern. Everything started going gray and blurry. I don't want to go blind,” Brittania says.  

Even after the incident, she doesn't think the pet should be put down. Brittania says she saw the dog at Grand Haven splash park Sunday afternoon and asked the owner of the pit bull if she could pet the dog. She believes that she may have startled the pit bull, causing the dog to bite her face. The 14-year old doesn't think that the pet should have to be put down. Brittania and her family decided that they are not taking any legal action or pressing any charges against the owner of the dog.

"I hope that doesn't happen because I don't want to take a dog away from its family," Brittania explains. "It was just an accident. Accidents happen. I think it was my fault for scaring the dog."

According to DogsBite.org, almost 19% of dog bites are from dogs that the victims were familiar with. In the year 2014, dog bites attributed to 42 fatalities in the United States. 

Dog bites happen everyday in Michigan. If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced dog bite lawyers are ready to help you recover pain and suffering compensations as allowed by Michigan law. Call us today at 844.464.3476 for a free consultation with a professional dog bite attorney.

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Insomnia Caused By Car Accidents

According to recent studies, nearly 98% of those who have suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) may experience trouble sleeping. Insomnia and frequent waking during sleep are the two leading types of sleep disturbances. However, loss of daytime function and daytime sleepiness are also fairly common TBI symptoms. 

It is a common misconception that those injured with TBIs are caused only by hitting your head on something hard. While this is certainly one way, and a frequent way in which TBIs occur, most people don't know that it is also possible for TBIs to occur without ever having hit your head. For instance, when driving at a fairly high speed and coming to an immediate stop, the force from the stop causes the human head to whip forward, thereby putting so much pressure on the brain against the skull, that it may be able to cause a TBI.

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Another common misconception about obtaining a TBI is that the symptoms are experienced by the victim immediately. This opinion has been proven false in many circumstances, as it can sometimes take weeks before the effects of a car crash are felt or revealed. Many people assume that since they made it out of a car accident without any visible injuries, that they were not harmed at all. What they don't realize are that neurological injuries are potentially way more harmful than physical ones. 

In the event of an automobile crash, victims should look out of the following symptoms which could suggest the onset of a TBI stemming from a car crash:

·      Dizziness

·      Visual disturbance

·      Emotional changes

·      Headaches

·      Memory loss

·      Inability to concentrate

·      Seizures

·      Slurred Speech

·      Short-term memory loss

It is vital that anyone who has been in a car accident swiftly seeks the appropriate medical attention and in an effort to be cleared of any potential injuries.  One of the many benefits of Michigan No-Fault insurance is that accident victims can receive some of the best medical care available and their auto insurance company is supposed to pay for the medically necessary costs incurred.  

Have you been in a car accident recently? If so, have you experienced any of these symptoms since the crash? Contact our lawyers at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC and receive a free consultation about your accident. Our highly experienced attorneys handle car crash lawsuits throughout Michigan. Call us at 844.4MI.FIRM to speak to a lawyer today.

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Dangers of Smoking and Driving

According to NBC News, smoking cigarettes accounts for about one percent of all distracted driving auto accidents. There are many distractions that can happen while driving, outside and even inside of a car. Eating, texting, talking and now, even smoking while driving can be just as dangerous.

Road Distractions

The National Institutes of Heath posted a report that examined the effects of smoking while driving and how it effects road safety and distraction times, when compared to cellphones. The study found that, on average, people who smoke while driving are even more distracted than people who use a cell phone.

Cigarette smokers averaged 12.0 seconds of distraction while cell phone users averaged 10.6 seconds of distraction. Smoking and driving is even more dangerous than texting and driving.

Michigan residents should know that just fumbling for a lighter and "ashing" all pose as risks that can end up distracting you from the road. When combining smoking while performing other tasks the chances of a crash increase. 

There are many distractions out there on the road. If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle accident as a result of distracted driving, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of car and motorcycle crashes. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

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One Fatality after M-14 Accident

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According to The Detroit Free Press, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, a large accident left both directions of M-14 blocked. It involved several vehicles on M-14 near the Gottfredson exit, which is just outside the city of Ann Arbor, MI. The road was shut down to clear the damaged vehicles involved and clean the debris also left behind by the crash. Crews worked thoroughly for two days to clean the whole mess.

The accident involved  one car heading eastbound which  crossed the median into oncoming traffic and struck another car.It was this impact which also ended up causing damage to other vehicles as well. The car that crossed the median was actually split in half from the collision. According to the the Washtenaw County Sheriff it is still unknown what caused the negligent driver to swerve into oncoming traffic. Both directions of M-14 were reopened Wednesday evening. One Washtenaw County Sheriff that was at the scene of the accident released a statement in which he referred to it as "a pretty major incident."

One fatality has been confirmed. The identity of the 20 year old accident victim has not been released.  Several others involved were also injured in the crash and taken to local hospitals for evaluation and medical treatment. Victims included another young male with serious injuries, and a mother and daughter with less threatening injuries. The accident is still under investigation with the Michigan State Police. 

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced lawyers work on all types of accidents and can help you recover the maximum benefits for you to cover medical expenses, transportation costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

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Trick-or-Treater Struck and Dragged Two Miles by Car

Trick or Treat Halloween accident attorney

Busy roads and earlier nights make for hazardous driving conditions. As the busy holiday season approaches, both pedestrians and drivers should proceed with caution in order to avoid accidents and injuries. 

Halloween is an especially dangerous night for auto accidents as it involves night time, bad weather conditions,  and children walking in the streets, often unaccompanied by adults. This past Halloween, according to Detroit Free Press, a 14-year old girl from Ypsilanti, Michigan, a city just outside of Detroit, Michigan, is left in critical condition after being involved in multiple car collisions on the same night. The girl, who's name was not released, was hit consecutively by two separate vehicles. 

It was reported that the girl was out trick-or-treating with several friends when she struck while crossing a road. The driver of the first car which hit her, stopped to help her, but couldn’t find her, leaving all the witnesses of the automobile crash perplexed by her disappearance. Then, a second car supposedly hit the teen next and dragged her body for nearly two miles. Ypsilanti police are still searching for the driver of the second vehicle as he did not stop after impact.

In order to avoid situations as tragic as this one, it is vital that people be on high alert when they cross the street. Children and adults need to take more precaution than just looking both ways before crossing the street. Also, parents need to warn their children of the dangers of playing in the street and watching where they are walking. And drivers specifically, need to keep an attentive eye out for pedestrians. 

If you or anyone you know has been involved in an accident, please contact The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys will fight for you to get the maximum compensation you deserve under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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I-75 Car Hauler Crash

On August 25th, 2015 a driver was critically injured while driving on I-75 in Michigan. The driver was heading north on I-75 in Taylor, Michigan when he hit slow traffic due to a prior auto accident. He tried to brake but he was not able to stop in time because he was hauling multiple vehicles behind his Dodge Ram 3500.

I75 Car Crash

First Lt. Michael Shaw, a Michigan State Police spokesman told The Detroit Free Press, "As a result, the Ram crashed into a tractor trailer ahead of him. One of the vehicles came loose and rolled forward onto the Ram’s roof."

The man driving the Dodge, who's name is unknown, was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The driver of the tractor trailer, who's name is also unknown, was not injured in the collision. 

When driving on highways, or any road, it is essential to remain at a safe distance behind cars to avoid collision. As this article indicates, accidents can still happen even if you were not injuried. Even during good weather, it is best to practice the "three second rule" when driving behind other vehicles. Rear end collisions make up 23% of car accidents a year. 

When you suffer an injury in a motor vehicle crash due to a rear end collision, one of the first things you should do is see your doctor, find out what's wrong with you, and figure out what you need to do in order to recover and feel healthy. In addition to this, if you have been injured in any type of car accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are here to help you with questions about insurance problems, medical expenses, and pain and suffering benefits as allowed by Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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Young Girl Bitten By Dog

Dog Bite

A 9 year old girl was viciously bitten by a dog, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. The young girl, from Warren, Michigan, was taken to St. Johns Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit after being bitten by her neighbor's mixed breed dog. Sgt. William Reichling stated that the police were called to the Jackson and Griffin area in Warren around 4 p.m. Friday, August 9th, 2015.

"The girl was playing with the neighbor children when somehow the dog got out of its owner’s home. The neighbor child was trying to get a leash on the dog and somehow the 9-year-old girl was bit," Reichling said.

The dog was taken immediately by animal control but no charges were pressed against the neighbors.

A report issued in 2009 showed that 19 dog breeds contributed to 88 deaths in the 3-year period of 2006 to 2008. Pit bulls accounted for 59% followed by rottweilers with 14%. Dog bites are scary, especially when the incident involves a child. But children are not the only ones who fall victim to dog bites, anyone who encounters a dog is at risk of being bitten.

If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced lawyers are ready to help you recover medical benefits and possibly pain and suffering compensation as allowed by Michigan law. Call us today at 844.464.3476 for a free consultation with a professional dog bite attorney.

 

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Self-Driving Cars More Accident Prone

TIME magazine recently released an article regarding a study which found that self-driving cars are more accident prone than cars driven by humans. The study, done by researchers Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak at the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, found that self-driving cars are involved in car accidents five times more than human-controlled cars.

Self Driving Car Accidents

The study retrieved data from self-driving cars operated by Google, Delphi and Volkswagen. For more information on these companies and their self-driving car experiments, read our previous blog posts. 

Google commented that the accidents it's self-driving cars have been involved in were the results of human error. None of Google's cars were involved in serious head-on collision type accidents. Still, the data illustrates that most of the self-driving cars involved in crashes were hit in the rear, even when traveling as slow as 5 mph.

Annual Global Road Crash Statistics found nearly 1.3 million people have died in road crashes each year. Breaking that number down results in an average of 3,287 deaths a day. An additional 20-50 million people are injured or disabled in automobile accidents, every year. Even more informative is that fact that more than half of all road traffic deaths occur among young adults ages 15-44.

As new drivers are minted every day, it is vital that safe driving practices are implemented. Perhaps in the future, all teens will be behind the wheel of a self-driving car. In the meanwhile, if you are ever involved in any type of car accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with all types of personal injury accidents, especially automobile crashes. We will work to ensure you obtain all benefits you are entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.


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Tire Expiration Essentials

Did you know that car tires should be changed every 6-10 years? This is something that many people do not think about while driving. Natural wear and tear of tires can lead to tires blowing out while driving. Keeping up with the expiration date of the tires on your car can help you and your car stay safe on the road. Here are three things to ask yourself to make sure that your car is road safe according to BelleTire.com:

  1. How old are my tires?
  2. How many miles should tires last?
  3. What is the shelf-life of a new tire?

"How old are my tires?

A tire with a DOT code of 1109 was made in the 11th week of 2009.Tires with a three-digit code were made prior to 2000 and are trickier to decode. The first two digits still tell you the week, but the third digit tells you the year in the decade that it was created. The hard part is knowing what decade that was.

How many miles should tires last?

If you drive a typical number of miles, somewhere around 12,000-15,000 miles annually, a tire's tread will wear out in three to four years, long before the rubber compound does. But if you only drive 6,000 miles a year, or have a car that you only drive on weekends, aging tires could be an issue.

What is the shelf-life of a new tire?

Faulty Tire Accident

DOT Codes and the 6-year shelf life. As part of the DOT code (G in the tire marking above), there is a tire manufacture date stamped on the sidewall. Oddly this code is sometimes only one one sidewall so you might need to get under your car and look at the inward-facing side of the tire."

As stated by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are no specific guidelines on tire aging and it is best to take the recommendations of car-makers and tire manufacturers. Car-makers such as Nissan and Mercedes-Benz tell consumers to replace tires six years after their production date. Tire manufacturers like Continental and Michelin say that a tire can last up to 10 years, provided you get annual tire inspections after the fifth year.

 No one can give an exact life-span for tires because everyone's driving habits vary. As such, keeping an eye on the age and wear of your tires can reduce the risks of blow out. Knowing what to look for is key. Always ask your mechanic to check your tires during routine tune ups and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are not sure how old your tires are. 

This information is especially important for drivers in Michigan as horrible Michigan road conditions and Michigan winters always reek havoc on vehicles.

If you are ever involved in any type of car accident resulting from expired tires, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with all types of personal injury accidents. We will work to ensure you obtain all benefits you are entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.


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Brothers Killed Months Apart in Separate Crashes

According to Fox News, Ryan Tsatsos died after being struck by a car that was going 80 mph on a side street, near Central Michigan University. The impact of the speeding car sent Ryan flying into a ditch on the side of the road. Ryan reportedly pushed his female friend out of the way when she heard the car coming, saving her life.

“The outpouring of love and support is so touching,” Mrs. Tsatsos, Ryan’s mother, told Fox. “To know that people care and that he touched so many people’s lives.” Mr. Tsatsos said “the same people [who] were here when Darryl died are back here, some as early as 3:30 in the morning, within an hour of us hearing the news,” Fox reported.

Darryl was Ryan’s older brother. The 19-year-old tragically passed in a three-car crash. Supposedly, he was trying to escape from police who were trying to pull Darryl over for speeding. The public still remains unclear on the facts of the case as it remains under investigation in Macomb County.

Ryan and Darryl were the only children of Paul and Julie Tsatsos.

Hit And Run

These tragic car accident related deaths are not uncommon. More than 270,000 people are hit by cars every year while walking on the side of roads and streets. This number only makes up 22% of all deaths caused by car accidents. Safety while walking on the road is just as important as being safe behind the wheel of a car.

If you or someone you know has been injured by a speeding car, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC.  Our highly experienced lawyers are ready to help you or your loved one recover medical benefits and possibly pain and suffering compensation as allowed by Michigan law.  Call us today at 844.464.3476 for a free consultation with a car crash attorney.

 

 

 

 

 

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