Port Huron Woman Mauled By Two Dogs

On Thursday, December 3, 2015, a Port Huron, Michigan mother was mauled to death by two dogs. Rebecca Lillian-Kay Hard was found by police with extensive injuries to her neck and face shortly after 4:45 P.M. in the backyard of a residence at 1721 10th St. 

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Officials still have no clue why Hardy jumped the gate and entered the fenced-in backyard of the home where a pit bull dog and a husky dog were being kept. The pit bull attacked Hardy first, when she entered the yard, according to The Detroit Free Press. 

"These were attack dogs. These were vicious dogs in an enclosed space," Oakland County Medical Examiner Ljubisa Dragovic said.

A witness attempted to help her, but was unsuccessful. The witness then entered the home in attempt to get help from the owner of the dogs. Finally, the witness and owner were able to get the dogs away from Hardy and called 9-1-1. Hardy was taken to Lake Huron Medical Center and was later flown to Beaumont Hospital where she unfortunately passed away from her injuries.

Ms. Hardy is survived by her fiancee and her 18-month-old daughter.

"She was full of life. She was my everything. She loved her daughter with everything,” said Hardy’s fiancee, Matthew Grattan. Hardy had recently been kicked out of her house. Grattan said that he and Hardy had an argument at his home, a few doors, down shortly before the incident. Grattan told officials that he assumes she went for a walk and attempted to take a shortcut through the alley using the resident’s backyard.

"Nobody was there, nobody knows what happened and why," Grattan said.

Several residents in the neighborhood report not being aware of anything until the police and ambulance arrived.   

The dog owner is cooperating fully, say officials. The dogs were taken to St. Clair County Animal Control, where they are being quarantined.

If you or someone you know has been attacked by a pit bull or any dog, contact our lawyers at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our lawyers specialize in all types of injury cases, including dog bites. Calls us today for free consultation at 844.4MI.FIRM. 


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Autonomous Vehicles May Free Drivers Of Parking Woes

Autonomous vehicles on the road may rid drivers of many hassles in cities. According to The United Nations, already heavily populated cities will continue to grow and eventually contain 66 percent of the world's population, by 2050. With the increase of city populations, cars will be the next thing to increase in number. This can make an already difficult city driving experience even more dreadful.

car parking lot lawyer

While we've discussed autonomous cars many times in previous blog posts, this instance stands out. This is because automaker Audi is currently working on an autonomous vehicle, specifically in an effort to alleviate drivers of the unwanted turmoil of parking. This autonomous car has the potential of saving time and easing tensions on the roads. It has the capability to decrease the time involved in finding a parking space and the space needed to fit the car, without damaging any vehicles.

Technology that would allow a car to park itself would help drivers avoid car accidents and would avoid collisions in crowded city parking lots. This is good news for those Michigan drivers with road rage.

An additional benefit of self-driving cars is that they produce less pollution than human controlled cars.  "The environmental ramifications are enormous...a 2008 study...found that drivers spent an average of 3.1 minutes searching for parking space and covered an average distance of .37 miles. Extrapolate those figures...people roaming...created 366,000 excess vehicle miles of travel—that’s equivalent to 14 trips around the planet—and added 325 tons of CO2 in one year."

However good autonomous cars may be, they are not yet available to the public. Until autonomous vehicles become widespread, it is always important for drivers to be diligent and aware of their surroundings in parking lots. Looking both ways before backing out of a space or looking to see if someone else is backing out a space, will significantly lower the chance of a car collision.

If you have been involved in a parking lot accident due to someone's negligence, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Attorneys at the Michigan Law Firm, PLLC are skilled in dealing with automobile accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

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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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Potential Gasoline Leaks in Ford Cars

On Monday November 23, 2015, CNBC.com reported that Ford Motor Company recalled nearly 450,000 cars. Ford announced that some of their mid-sized cars had the potential of leaking gas from their fuel cans. The recall pertains to the gasoline vapor recovery canister. The canister can get stuck, causing repeated air pressure changes in the gas tank. The pressure in the gas tank then forces it to crack, allowing the gasoline to leave the tank, in order to relieve the pressure.

gas station accident

Ford Motor Company reports, “The recall covers certain 2010 to 2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans built in Mexico from July 21, 2008 through March 4, 2011.”

So far, there have been no reports of fires or explosions. The defect can be easily fixed by taking the car into the dealer and having the tank replaced if there are any signs of a leak or crack.  During the recall 411,000 of the cars inspected were in the U.S. and 34,000 in Canada.

The most common causes of a gas leak in a car can also come from the fuel injector, the fuel line, and even missing gas caps can cause gas to escape a vehicle.  Below you can find three of the most common signs of gasoline leaks in cars.  If you suspect a gasoline leak in your vehicle, be careful and have a professional look at it as soon as possible.

3 Common Signs of Gasoline Leaks

  • The smell of gasoline
  • Puddles of liquid in parking spots
  • Re-filling gas in the car more often

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident due to a faulty gas can, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our Metro Detroit accident lawyers are experienced in handling all types of auto accident and motorcycle accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

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Pit Bulls Kill 4 Year Old Boy In Detroit, Michigan

On Wednesday, December 2nd, a four year old boy was viciously attacked and killed by four pit bull dogs in Detroit, Michigan's west side. The boy was walking with his mother at John C. Lodge Service Drive and Baylis Street around 12:30 P.M. when the incident occurred. As they were walking, two pit bull dogs approached them and started to brutally attack the child. His mother tried to protect the young boy with a metal rod, but it was not enough to back off the raging pit bulls. Immediately, two more pit bulls joined the previous two pit bulls in ripping apart the child in front his helpless mother.

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One of the  neighbors heard the mother crying, "Please help me get the dogs off my baby!” and tried to help her. However, the four pit bulls were so aggressive that they didn't let anyone approach them. Detroit Police arrived as fast as they could and shot and killed three of the dogs. The fourth dog was taken into a custody. It was reported that the four pit bulls themselves were a family consisting of two parents and their two puppies.

The child, who remains unnamed, was sent quickly to the hospital for treatment, but unfortunately died from his injuries. The owner of the raging dogs, a 41-years old man, was arrested for negligent homicide.

According to the blog,  Dogs Bite, "71% of the pit bull fatalities have occurred in the past 10 years; 42% in the past four years; 24% in the past two years." Detroit is especially known for citizens who keep pit bulls as pets. Unfortunately, many owners can't handle this tough breed and end up abandoning them, causing them to become wild in the street. This abundance of wild dogs cause many Michiganders to mistakenly believe that only wild dogs can be dangerous. Any dog, especially pit bulls, regardless of whether they are free or owned are dangerous. Upon seeing a dog, especially one they are not familiar with, people should immediately walk in the opposite direction or keep as much space between them and the dog as possible. This is the best way to avoid dog bites or even more seriously becoming mauled to death by a feral dog.

If you or someone you know has been attacked by a pit bull or any dog, contact our lawyers at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our lawyers specialize in all types of injury cases, including dog bites. Calls us today for free consultation at 844.4MI.FIRM. 

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Over The Counter Medicines May Impair Driving

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With so many over the counter medications (OTC) on the market, it is hard to remember that some of these medicines may affect one's ability to drive. Several well known medicines may cause drowsiness, delay reaction times and impair motor skills. Over the counter medications are drugs that can be obtained without a doctor's prescription. According to the FDA, drug manufacturers are required to mark side effects on the labels, but many people are unaware of how dangerous they might be.

Over The Counter Drugs Which May Affect Driving

  • Antihistamines:  Medicines which are used to treat symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, itching of the nose or throat, and itchy or watery eyes. Some antihistamines are used for common cold symptoms.
  • Antidiarrheals: Medicines which treat or control symptoms of diarrhea, such as Imodium.
  • Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/Analgesics: Medicines for pain and reducing inflammation. 
  • Anti-emetics: Medicines which treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness associated with motion sickness.
  • Cold medicines/Cough suppressants: Medicines that treat and reduce coughing.  

According to the FDA, “You can feel the effects some OTC medicines can have on your driving for a short time after you take them, or their effects can last for several hours. In some cases, a medicine can cause significant ‘hangover-like’ effects and affect your driving even the next day.”

Many drugs also  come with a warning to not consume alcohol while taking the medications. This is because the addition of alcohol can increase the chances of slowing motor skills and decreasing reaction times. 

Consumers are encouraged to ask questions and consult a doctor or pharmacist if they are unsure how a new medication will effect them. Giving the medicine time to kick in can also avoid any accidents happening if driving is required after consumption. Before taking any medicine, it is important to always read the Drug Facts. Many medicines are labeled "may cause drowsiness" and "do not take while operating machinery". Also, knowing how medications mix can help lessen the chance of impaired driving abilities. 

Michigan drivers should be aware that a lot of the products containing sedating antihistamines and drugs that are well known to cause drowsiness are only recommended for night time use as they help people to sleep.  

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident with an impaired driver, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers 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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Pedestrians Killed in Hit-and-Run

Two unnamed pedestrians were killed Saturday nigh,t on October 15, 2015. They were hit by a truck on Detroit, Michigan's west side. 

Detroit Police Sgt. Cassandra Lewis told The Detroit Free Press that a 42-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man passed away around 8:30 P.M. at Cortland and 14th Street. Sgt. Lewis also stated that the two pedestrians died at the scene of the accident.

Officials report that a Ford Explorer ran through a stop light and hit a silver car. After the Explorer ran into the silver car, it spun out of control and hit the victims who were standing on the sidewalk nearby. 

sidewalk

After hitting the pedestrians, the people inside of the Ford Explorer were seen fleeing on foot from the scene of the collision. At the time of the auto accident, no suspects were found and the investigation remained under way. 

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, someone runs a red light an average of every 20 minutes at urban intersections. In the last decade, red-light running crashes killed nearly 9,000 people and an estimated 165,000 motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians are injured annually by red-light runners. 

If you have been injured in a hit-and-run 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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Pregnant Woman Hit By Drunk Driver

On October 23, 2015, a Mt. Clemens, Michigan woman was seriously injured in a car accident. The 42-year-old woman was headed home after learning she was five weeks pregnant. The Detroit Free Press said the pregnant woman was struck twice by a drunk driver who had two prior OWI convictions on her record.

The unnamed victim was in serious condition at a local hospital after the accident. It is unknown if her fetus was harmed in the crash. The suspected drunk driver, Natasha June Watts, 26, of Fraser is being held in the Macomb County Jail on a $50,000 bond and a potential five-year felony.

pregnantwoman

Police said the victim was stopped at a red light on northbound Groesbeck at Common Road about 2:30 A.M. when the intoxicated Watts was traveling northbound on Groesbeck. Watts did not brake when coming up behind the victim's car; instead she hit the victim's car at an accelerated rate of speed. Watts' vehicle bounced off the victim's vehicle and instead of stopping, Watts began to speed up again to leave the scene of the accident, causing her to strike the victim's car again from behind, again.

After hitting the car the second time, Watts drove away from the scene. Watts' car was so badly damaged that it did not make it far from the scene of the accident before it broke down and police arrested her. She then proceeded to make a failed attempted to run from her car. 

The intoxicated driver’s blood-alcohol level was 0.23, nearly three times the legal limit for an adult driver in Michigan. It only takes one drunk driver to endanger the lives of anyone else on the road. 

If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle accident due to an alcohol-impaired driving incident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of auto accident and motorcycle accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

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Pit Bull Mix Bites Girl's Face

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A 9-year-old Warren girl was treated for serious injuries to her face and head at St. Johns Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan.  The Warren girl was bitten by a mixed breed dog. On Friday, August 7th, 2015 around 4 P.M., Police were called to the Jackson and Griffin area in regards to a possible dog attack. The girl, who was not named, was bitten by her neighbor’s pit bull mix. 

“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,” said Sgt. William Reichling. 

As reported by The Detroit Free Press, no charges were pressed against the owner and the dog was taken to the local animal control. 

At this time, it is unclear if the girl was just playing with the dog or if she was trying to help it when she was viciously attacked. No one knows what made the dog attack. 

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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14-year old Crashes Stolen Car During Police Chase

car theft

A 14-year-old rolled over a stolen car, multiple times, after a high speed chase with law enforcement in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. The Clinton Township boy was going as fast as 70 mph as reported by the Detroit Free Press. The single car crash happened on October 21, 2015 at 4:40 am Tuesday morning. 

A deputy who was on patrol that morning saw a gold Toyota Camry speeding westbound on Dickinson at northbound Gratiot Road. The car ran through a flashing red traffic signal without stopping. The deputy proceeded to try and stop him, as the boy drove the car through a gas station parking lot. The boy then tried to turn onto southbound Avery Street, in attempts to flee, but hit a curb and rolled the car over multiple times. The 14-year-old Clinton Township teen crashed and then fled on foot from the car. Authorities found him hiding beneath a pool deck behind a residence on Avery.

After the accident, the boy who was  unnamed, was taken to McLaren Macomb Hospital to be treated for his injuries. The real owner of the Camry, a 36-year-old Clinton Township woman, reported her car stolen from her home around 6:30 am after the accident had already taken place. 

The Clinton Township boy was then taken to the county's juvenile justice center, where he is awaiting criminal charges for the alleged theft and auto accident.

As reported by the FBI, there were an estimated 721,053 thefts of motor vehicles nationwide in 2012 in the United States. Michigan reported 20 stolen cars in Midland, Michigan, to be their highest that year. The Honda Accord and the Honda Civic rank among the most frequently stolen cars  in the country.

Auto theft happen in Michigan everyday. If you are have been injured in a car accident or carjacking, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are available to help you with questions regarding 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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Drunk Driver Hits Multiple Cars

Authorities told The Detroit Free Press that on October 10th, 2015 two police cruisers were hit by a car in Macomb Township, Michigan. The accident also involved a Mustang which the officers had pulled over on the side of the road for a possible DUI. The driver of the Mustang, a 20-year-old man from Sterling Heights, Michigan, was arrested and placed in the back of one of the patrol cars. Shortly after, a Mercury Mountaineer which was driving by the stopped vehicles, sideswiped the police cruisers and the Mustang. The Mountaineer was being driven by a 20-year-old man who was also from Macomb Township, Michigan.

drunk driver

 

The collision caused the Mustang to end up in a ditch and put one of the police cruisers out of service due to the extent of the damage. Fortunately, no one was injured during the automobile crash. The entire fiasco began when county dispatchers radioed an alert for a possible drunk driver going southbound on Romeo Plank around 12:30 A.M. Saturday. A deputy then spotted the Mustang and stopped it on Romeo Plank near 22 Mile.
 
Both underaged drivers were taken to the county jail and were charged with operating while intoxicated with a high BAC, first offense. The drivers' names were not released to the press. They had identical 0.17% blood-alcohol content Breathalyzer results at the time of the car crash, which is well above the legal BAC, 0.08%, in Michigan. 

In a separate incident that happened around 9:25 p.m. on Sunday October 11th, a deputy stopped Justin E. Blackman, 31, of Waterford, Michigan and arrested him for driving under the influence. This happened eastbound on Hall Road near Card. Blackman was charged with third-offense operating while intoxicated, a felony, and driving with a suspended license, his second offense. 

Drunk driving is dangerous not only to those who drink and drive but for innocent, sober drivers who have to share the road with drunk drivers. No matter who drinks and drives, someone ends up getting hurt.

If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle accident due to an alcohol-impaired driving incident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of auto accident and motorcycle accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

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Howell Teenager Killed in Crash

On October 21, 2015 a 16-year-old Howell High School junior was killed in a car crash. The Howell High student was the passenger in a 1971 Volkswagen vehicle travelling west on Davis Road around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. According to The Detroit Free Press, the driver lost control and drove off of the road. Michigan State Police were able to identify the driver as Cameron Smith and the passenger as Griffin Matley.

teen crash lawyer

Police said the vehicle, driven by Howell High student 16-year-old Cameron Smith, crashed into a tree a half mile east of D-19 in Marion Township, Michigan. Matley was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor and was later pronounced dead. The driver was transported to the U-M where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. 

Thomas Gould, director of public relations for Howell Public Schools stated, "The entire Howell Public Schools community extends their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Howell High School junior Griffin Matley." 

In Michigan, three out of five accidental deaths for teens ages 16-20 are due to motor vehicle crashes. Teen drivers are four times more likely than adult drivers to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Parents should remind teens of the importance of driving safely and warn them of the dangers of driving. 

If you or someone you know has sustained significant injuries from a car accident involving a teenage driver, contact an attorney today at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers specialize in all types of personal injury cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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Are Phones Still Dangerous To Use While Driving In Michigan?

handheld

As technology becomes more advanced, companies are constantly coming up with ways to reduce the number of car related accidents due to cell phone distractions. From dashboard mounts for cell phones to voice activated texts, there is no shortage of devices and apps made to allow the use of cellular devices while driving. But, do these helpful additions make handheld devices or cell phones safer to use while driving?

There are no laws prohibiting all cell phone use while driving, but many states are beginning to think that an all around ban is needed. Currently, only a handful of states have laws for cell phone use (talking or texting) while driving. According to USA Today, 1 in 4 car accidents is caused by cell phone use and the distractions it can cause drivers.

USA Today states, “Only 5% of cellphone-related crashes occur because the driver is texting. The majority of the accidents involve drivers distracted while talking on handheld or hands-free cellphones.”

They also reported, “However, hands-free cellphone use has become a driving force in cell phone-related distractions of those behind the wheel. Studies published as early as 2009, such as a report in the Journal of Safety Research, have said that driving performance while using a hands-free phone was rarely found to be better than using handheld devices.”

The only real way to avoid all distractions is to put them on hold while driving. What may seem convenient can still be very dangerous and accidents can still happen. "Hands free" does not always mean distraction free. 

If you have been injured in a car crash or any auto related accident because of distracted driving, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers are experienced in dealing with all types of auto accidents and are always available to help you with questions about insurance problems, medical expenses, and pain and suffering benefits under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consult.

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