Time for a New Car?

SUV Accident Attorney

Understanding when to upgrade your car is critical to minimizing the odds of being involved in an auto accident. Consumer Reports recently published an article outlining "tips for deciding if you need a new car."  

Consumer Reports advises:

So should you hang on to your old wheels? It depends on a lot of factors, including the condition of your car and your finances. Think about cost, safety, and connectivity. If your mechanic is spending more time with your car than you do and your repair bills are close to new-car payments, it’s probably time to trade up. Or your car may run well, but rust or collision damage can make it structurally unsound. The only older cars worth keeping are the ones that are reliable and safe.
At a minimum, an older car should have electronic stability control and curtain air bags. Both are lifesavers.
Going with a new car is the best way to get the latest electronic safety gear, such as forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems, as well as features like a blind-spot warning system and a rear backup camera. And only the newest vehicles excel in the latest difficult insurance-industry crash tests.  

Consumer Reports also breaks down the three things consumers should consider before buying a new car.

#1 Money

  • How much a car with higher mph will save you?

  • How much does it costs to repair your current car?

  • How much value will the new car lose?

#2 Safety

  • What safety features should every car have?

  • How to make your car even safer?

#3 Connected Features

  • What basic features should come with new cars?

  • What specialty items come in new cars? (voice command, GPS, etc.)

To see the Consumer Reports article and the charts and info-graphics, click the source link below.

Source: Consumer Reports

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Traumatic Brain Injuries

Below is a video of Amy, a woman who was involved in a serious accident and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  Watch the video below to hear Amy's story from the time of the accident where her head was injured, treatment in the hospital emergency room, the frustrating therapy she had to endure, and her recovery as well.  

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Harvard Professor Of Medicine Weighs In On Whiplash Injuries From Auto Accidents

Harvard Auto Accident

Just yesterday, Harvard Health tweeted an article where Dr. Anthony Komaroff, MD, a practicing physician in Internal Medicine, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Editor of Harvard Health Letter, answered the following question:

"I was in a car accident several months ago and got whiplash. I still have neck pain. Is this normal?"

Dr. Komaroff responded by stating in pertinent part that:

Whiplash damage to muscles and ligaments should heal within a few months. If your symptoms continue, talk with your doctor. He or she can check for injuries to the facet joints and disks. On very rare occasions, there may be a problem that can be corrected by surgery. But most people recover from whiplash through physical therapy and regular exercise.
Injury Lawyer

Dr. Komaroff also suggested that doctors sometimes treat whiplash symptoms with pain pills, facet joint injections, and even sometimes with radiofrequency neurotomy, where heat is used to block out the pain.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, always seek the appropriate medical attention and listen to the advise of your treating medical providers so that they can help you on your path to recovery after an accident where injuries have occurred.

Source: Ask Dr. K




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Woman Flips Car in Roseville, Michigan Crash

Car Crash Attorney

Two Michigan residents involved in a motor vehicle accident on July 14, 2015 were luckier than most people in their position: they came out of the crash with non-life-threatening injuries. According to the Detroit Free Press, the car accident occurred around 11 p.m. on July 14, 2015 when a man from Roseville, Michigan stopped in the right lane at a red light while he was heading northbound on Gratiot at 14 Mile Road. Unfortunately, instead of also stopping at the stop light, a woman from Mt. Clemens, Michigan driving behind the man smashed into his SUV.
 
This unnamed woman hit the man’s SUV so hard with her car that her car flipped. As previously mentioned, the two victims of the car crash came out of the incident alive. However, it has yet to be determined by the police whether or not the woman was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when she caused this terrifying crash. After receiving the result of drug tests run on the woman, police will have to determine if charges will be filed against her. Police also did not release the name of either the 46 year old man or the 38 year old woman involved in the automobile accident.
 
While these two Michiganders did not sustain any life-threatening injuries, it certainly does not mean that they have not sustained other serious injuries that they will have to cope with for the rest of their lives. Car accidents are a dangerous and common cause of injury. Most victims of motor vehicle accidents endure broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even post-traumatic stress disorder, just to name a few consequences of serious accidents. These injuries may require months or even years to recover from and oftentimes cause accident victims to accumulate tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. 

If you have been involved in a car accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys help victims of motor vehicle accidents handle expensive medical bills and deal with car insurance companies who frequently deny claims. Speak to an attorney today by calling 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.  

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Michigan Dog Mauling

Dog Bite LAwyer

On July 23, 2014, Craig Sytsma, a 46 year old father of three, was attacked by a dog while he was jogging in Lapeer County, MI.  Unfortunately, he died in the arms of a woman who was coming to his rescue.

 WOOD Channel 8 reported:

“I have nightmares every night,” Sytsma’s mother, Jacque Sytsma, told the judge and the couple during the Tuesday sentencing. “I am running, I am running to help him and I can’t get to him, and I don’t think that will ever leave. Never.”
The owners of the dogs, Sebastiano Quagliata and his wife, Valbona Lucaj, were originally charged with second-degree murder, reportedly the first murder charge ever filed in Michigan for a dog attack. They later pleaded no contest to owning a dangerous dog causing death.
Lapeer County Circuit Judge Nick Holowka sentenced them to at least 4 years and 9 months in prison and up to 15 years. They both got credit for a year already served.

Dog bites and dog attacks are all too frequent across Michigan.  If you or someone you know has been bitten, scratched, or attacked by a dog, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC today at 844.4MI.FIRM.  Our accident attorneys are ready to help you receive any compensation you are entitled to under Michigan law.



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Toyota Recalls Over a Half a Million Hybrid Cars

Toyota Accident Attorney

International automaker Toyota has just recalled over half a million of its hybrid cars because of a serious software issue.  This software problem can lead to the car just shutting down while driving along the roadway, increasing the odds of a serious car crash.  In total, 625,000 Toyota hybrid vehicles were recalled for this particular problem.  Approximately 120,000 of these recalled vehicles were sold in the United States.

Business Insider reports:

The Japanese automaker said the problem was linked to software that controls a power converter, similar to an issue last year that led to the recall of 1.9 million Prius cars -- Toyota's biggest ever for its signature petrol-electric vehicle.

The latest call back affected the Prius V, which is also sold as the Prius Alpha and Prius+, as well as some Auris hybrid vehicles.

More than half the recalled vehicles were sold in Japan with most of the others in North America and Europe between May 2010 and November 2014.

While there are not any officially connected reports of injury or death associated with this recall, Business Insider reports Toyota stating " In limited instances, the hybrid system might shut down while the vehicle is being driven, resulting in the loss of power, bringing the vehicle to stop."

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Mercedes Pre-Safe Sound & Auto Accident Ear Injury Prevention

Mercedes Accident Lawyer

Mercedes-Benz has recently announced that its upcoming model E-Class sedan will be equipped with new car safety technology designed to protect the ear drums of drivers and passengers during an automobile accident.  Mercedes is calling the auto accident ear injury prevention technology, "Pre-Safe Sound."

As reported by Wired:

[O]ur bodies have a special trick to protect us from the damage that kind of sound can do. When your ear hears a sudden loud noise, the acoustic reflex contracts the stapedius muscle in the middle ear to block out the sound, protecting the sensitive eardrums and other bits of the inner ear.
Mercedes has taken advantage of this in the E-Class, with a new feature called Pre-Safe Sound. When the car senses an imminent impact (using onboard cameras and ultrasonic sensors), the stereo plays a loud static-type noise around 85 decibels. It’s not so loud that it hurts, but it’s loud enough to trigger the acoustic reflex and protect the ear from the much louder sound of the accident that arrives a moment later.

This is terrific innovation in the car safety arena.  Damage to the ears or eardrums is not entirely uncommon in auto accidents as hearing loss can occur.  Simply by emitting static noise before the impact, Mercedes has been able to minimize ear injuries in auto accidents. Below, you can watch a video of how the Pre-Sound system works on these Mercedes sedans. 



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Safer Alternative To Traditional Car Tires

The South Korean manufacturer, Hankook, has been developing a non-pneumatic tire in recent years with the hope of building a better car tire and limiting costly and oftentimes painful auto accidents.  Their current fifth-generation tire model which does not require air pressure is called the “iFlex.”  

Wired just published an article about these tires and summed up Hankook's new tire concept:

Now, Hankook has completed initial testing on its fifth-generation airless tire, dubbed the iFlex. The tires do not require any air pressure, instead relying on a new type of eco-friendly material (Hancook demurs when asked for details). Geometric shapes built into the material provide the bounce and springiness normally provided by air pressure. But, unlike the previous iFlex, this version’s designed to mount onto a traditional rim, making it compatible with current vehicles.

According to Wired, the iFlex is also in late stage testing and has been able to perform on normal rims at up to 80 mph while roughly matching the performance of traditional inflatable car tired.

Flat Tire Attorney

Once the technology for non-pneumatic tires is perfected it may prove as a much safer alternative to conventional car tires.  While testing is not completed yet, we can anticipate that these new breeds of tires will be significantly less susceptible to blow-outs, flat tires, or other significant tire damage that might occur while driving on the roadway.

Large numbers of auto accidents could be prevented by reducing or eliminating roadway blow-outs and flat tires.

Even more, this could be a costs saver to Michigan drivers and drivers across the rest of the world.  Conceivably, these new types of tires would require less maintenance and may even last longer than the traditional tire once perfected.

Market integration would not be much of a challenge to non-pneumatic tires because Hankook’s version is already compatible with standard car rims so they should be easily adapted to most if not all standard cars. 

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Bike Accident Causes Fatality in Farmington Hills, Michigan

Bike Accident Attorney

Police in Farmington Hills, Michigan are urging anyone who may have witnessed an accident between a bicyclist and a vehicle to step forward with any information that they may have regarding the crash. Late night, around 10:50 p.m. on July 4th, 2015, a bicyclist accidently stepped into the path of a car. The unfortunate incident took place on 8 Mile Road near Grand River in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
 
The bicyclist was immediately taken to the local Botsford Hospital but was unable to recover from the crash. He was identified as a 48 year old man from Livonia, Michigan, but that is the only information Farmington Police gave regarding this case.
 
As the police do not have much information regarding the accident and have no reason to believe that drugs and alcohol were involved, they are asking anyone who may have witnessed the fatal accident to contact the Farmington Hills Police Command Desk with any information.
 
Though less common than motor vehicle accidents which involve one or more cars, motor vehicle accidents which involve bicycles are still quite prevalent. And while motor vehicle accidents involving one or more cars are quite dangerous, motor vehicle accidents involving bicycles can be even more deadly. This is for the obvious reason that a bicyclist simply isn’t as protected in a car crash as well as an automobile driver is. Bicyclists don’t have the support of a car’s metal frame to absorb the blow of the crash. This is very likely the reason why the man in the Farmington Hills crash was immediately pronounced dead upon arriving at the hospital.
 
Those who are lucky enough to survive car accidents however have a whole other can of worms awaiting them after a car crash. Though they are lucky to be alive, they unluckily are subjected to the many injuries inflicted by the motor vehicle accident, including physical injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, or paralysis, and mental injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder. What’s worse is when treatment for these injuries becomes insanely expensive and car insurance companies deny victims claims.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and are dealing with insurance problems, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced lawyers are experts when it comes to helping victims of car accidents and bike accidents receive any compensation they may be entitled to under Michigan law. Let our attorneys fight for you so that you can focus on a peaceful recovery. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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Keeping Children Safe On Playgrounds

playground accident lawyer

Playgrounds can be fun for children to play on, but also dangerous at times. According to the CDC, each year in the United States, 200,000 children under the age of 14 are sent to the emergency room with playground-related injuries. This may be related to injuries sustained on playgrounds in neighborhoods, parks, schools, or even in the back yard.  Injuries oftentimes come from monkey-bars, slides, and other faulty jungle gym equipment. 

Playgrounds can cause a variety of injuries including broken bones, concussions, dislocations, and internal injuries. About 45% of playground-related injuries cause these injuries, as well as amputations. About 75% of nonfatal injuries related to playground equipment occur on public playgrounds, mostly at school and daycare centers.

To avoid accidents like these and trips to the emergency room, families should establish rules for play-sets and trampolines. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has listed some potential trampoline rules in order to help families and prevent injuries.

  • Do not attempt somersaults because landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis

  • No one under 6 should use a full size trampoline

  • Anyone using a trampoline should be supervised

"Rules are very important that every house has. It's rules for play, don't go up on the roof, don't stand up on a monkey bar, things that children sometimes like to do as daredevils," said Jack Zagrodzki, the vice president of marketing for the Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier Shop in Berkley, Michigan

As well as establishing rules, when purchasing a play-set, you should make sure you have a good surface for the playground to be placed on. According to the CPSC, 60 percent of all injuries on playgrounds are caused by falls to the ground and occur upon impact. The CPSC recommend surfaces like wood chips or sand, so that if a child does fall off the play structure, there's a protective surface to land on.

Source: Click On Detroit

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys specialize in all types of personal injury cases. 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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65,000 SUVs Recalled By Land Rover In The US

Recall accident attorney

On Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jaguar Land Rover announced that they're recalling around 65,000 SUVs in the United States. According to Click On Detroit, the recall is due to an issue with the doors not latching properly, which could lead to the door flying open while driving. In documents filed with US safety regulators, Land Rover said that they traced the problem to a software glitch in the key-less entry system. After receiving multiple complaints from drivers, the company began looking into the problem in October, 2014. No auto accidents or injuries have been reported because of this issue yet. The SUV recall begins on August 7, 2015, and Land Rover dealers will update the key-less entry software at no cost to drivers, including those in Michigan.

This is not Land Rover's first recall of 2015. In February, 2015, Land Rover recalled 99,327 Range Rover models that dated back to 2006 for brake hoses that could potentially rupture. According to Car And Driver, there were two separate recalls. One which includes the 2013-2014 Range Rover and 2014 Range Rover Sport for brake vacuum hoses that may have been routed incorrectly. The second recall involved the previous generation, 2006-2012 Range Rover. The issue was for front brake fluid hoses that could rupture and disable the front brakes, thereby drastically increasing the odds of an auto accident.

Safety recalls are becoming a major issue as they seem to be reoccurring frequently, especially with General Motors and Toyota. According to Forbes, General Motors have recently faced issues regarding over a million models from 2005-2007 with faulty ignition switches, and Toyota have agreed to a $1.2 billion penalty to settle a criminal probe over claims of unintended acceleration, which led to a recall of over 10 million vehicles. As such, The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC will continue to monitor important information regarding major recalls that affect Michigan drivers.

Car accidents oftentimes are caused by recall issues like these, which can lead to serious injuries including, traumatic brain injuries, and broken or fractured bones. If you have been injured in a car crash, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers are available to help you with questions and we specialize in handling insurance issues, assisting with medical expenses, and retrieving pain and suffering benefits as allowed by Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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I-94 Pileup Leads To Enviromental Problems

Earlier this year, in January, 2015, on the I-94, in Galesburg, Michigan, there was what turned out to be almost 200 vehicles involved in one of Michigan's biggest multi-vehicle accidents. According to the Detroit News, at the time, one by one, cars, pickups, and semi-trucks came rolling out of a fog about 50 yards from a massive pileup. After coming out of the fog, in the Michigan winter weather, with snowy and icy roads, 50 yards wasn't nearly enough space to safely stop in time. In the pileup, one person died and two dozen people were taken to the nearest hospital.

The pileup also caused environmental contamination in the area, as hazardous materials leaked from ruptured containers and tanks, which then seeped into the ground and flowed into drains. Now, six months after the accident, state officials are still trying to find those responsible for the contamination, so they can have them pay for cleanup work. Officials are going through accident reports, videos, and photos from the incident to try and find those who were responsible.

"We have to go back through and geo-spatially locate all of the individual spills, sit down with the state police and figure out which vehicle sat at which location," said Mark DuCharme, a senior environmental analyst with the DEQ. "The night of the accident, emergency responders noted which vehicles were leaking.”

Among the vehicles involved, one tanker was filled with 44,600 pounds of hazardous liquid formic acid, which can cause throat and nose irritation, as well as kidney problems from long-term exposure. Another truck was carrying around 40,000 pounds of fireworks. Others trucks involved leaked gasoline, diesel fuel, and milk. 

If you have been injured in a auto accident pileup similar to this one, or any type of motor vehicle accident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our injury attorneys are experienced in handling all types of auto accidents. Call us today for a free consultation at 844.4MI.FIRM.

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Car Crash On US-23 in York Township, Michigan

On Wednesday, July 8, 2015, there was an auto accident on the southbound US-23 at Willis Road in York Township, Michigan. According to Click On Detroit, 1 person was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident and three others were taken to hospital. Michigan State Police say that an 83-year-old woman from Novi, Michigan was killed the accident, which involved two cars and two semi-trucks. All lanes of the southbound US-23 were closed immediately and didn't open for hours after the crash occurred.

Semi truck accident attorney

A 39-year-old man from Columbus, Ohio, was traveling driving a semi-truck traveling southbound on the US-23 when it hit a black Chevy Impala, sending it off the freeway. The same semi-truck then hit a white Toyota Corolla from behind, pushing it into a second semi-truck. At the time of the accident, the Impala, Corolla, and second semi-truck were stationary on due to a construction backup. The 83-year-old-woman that was pronounced dead was the passenger in the white Corolla. The 63-year-old man driving the Corolla was taken to St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Impala, a 70-year-old woman from Ypsilanti, Michigan, was also taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. However, the passenger of the Impala, a 72-year-old man also from Ypsilanti, Michigan, was sent to hospital in critical condition. Neither semi-truck driver was injured in the accident.

Semi-trucks accidents, much like in this situation, can potentially lead to deaths and serious injuries. According to Legal Info, around 500,000 trucking accidents occur each year in the United States. Of these 500,000, on average, 5,000 of them result in fatalities. One out of every eight traffic fatalities involves a trucking collision. 

If you have been injured in a car accident involving a semi-truck or any other type of accident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of auto accidents. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

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5 People Die In Car Crashes Over The Fourth Of July Weekend In Michigan

July 4th Accident lawyer

Over the Fourth of July Weekend in Michigan, five people lost their lives in separate motor vehicle crashes around the state. According to Click On Detroit, these preliminary numbers are down for traffic crashes during the 2014 Fourth of July holiday weekend. In 2014, in Michigan alone, there were 12 deaths in 11 traffic accidents. The Michigan State Police say they're trying to help reduce traffic deaths by encouraging seat belt usage and stepping up patrols to prevent drunk driving incidents.

Over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, drinking is common for a lot of adults. It's important that there is always a designated driver when people are under the influence. If there is no designated driver, it can lead to alcohol-impaired driving, which commonly results in auto accidents, injuries, and oftentimes, death. According to the CDC, every day, almost 30 people in the United States alone, die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver, which on average, is one death every 51 minutes.

Impaired driving should be avoided at all times. Impaired driving includes being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other substance which can affect the driver's state of mind or reaction time. Drugs and alcohol can impair you and affect your driving in multiple ways including, perception, vision, judgement, motor skills, memory skills, and more. Driving impaired puts your life at risk as well as the other people in the vehicle with you, and other drivers on the the road. If you intend to drink, make sure you have a designated driver.

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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Man Found Shot On I-696 in Roseville, Michigan

On Monday afternoon, July 6, 2015, police found a 60-year-old man shot on an I-696 embankment in Roseville, Michigan. According to Click On Detroit, the man appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound to his upper abdomen. He was found conscious at around 2 pm on the eastbound side of the I-696 near Grandmont Street. Police found the man after they received multiple call reporting a man in distress.

interstate accident lawyer

When police arrived at the scene the man was coherent, but gave multiple conflicting accounts of how he ended up on the side on the interstate in the Metro Detroit area. The man was immediately taken to a nearby hospital with what was reported as non-life-threatening injuries. Anyone that was traveling eastbound on the I-696 or the 11 Mile service road, who may have seen suspicious activity, or anyone who has any information on the incident, is asked to call the Roseville Police Department.

As we've mentioned in previous blog posts, at times, Detroit can be a dangerous city, with above average crime rates and with frequent hit and run auto accidents. This is just an another example of how dangerous Detroit and the surrounding areas can be. Fortunately in this situation, the victim escaped with non-life-threatening injuries. As reported by City Data, in 2012, in Detroit, Michigan, there were 386 murders, 4,843 robberies, and 9,341 assaults. The victim in this situation only suffered injuries from the original crime, and was lucky to not have received additional injuries while on the side of the road. Distracted driving can lead to the vehicle swaying out of the lane it's in, potentially leading to contact with objects on the side of the road. In this case, the victim on the side of the interstate could have suffered additional injuries or even death if something like this were to happen.

If you are injured in a Michigan accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our injury 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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Tips To Help Prevent Eye Injuries

Around this time of year, especially with the 4th of July celebrations, it's important to keep your eyes protected, as there is a high risk of accidents, whether it be from fireworks, or just doing work around your house. Eye accidents are easy to prevent, but you need to be aware of the risks and acknowledge the measures you can take to keep your eyes safe.  Here are some helpful summer eye-safety tips:

Eye Injury Attorney

  • Leave fireworks to the pros

  • Wear eye protection when at risk

  • Use caution with chemicals and cleaners

  • Be careful when cooking or using hot objects

  • Don't let curiosity get the best of you

Fireworks law exist due to the many injuries that they have caused in the past. The best way to stay safe around fireworks is by leaving them to the professionals. A lot of firework shows are offered from a safe distance. Take advantage of these instead of lighting fireworks by yourself. Another important tip to help prevent eye injuries is to wear eye protection. Safety glasses should be used during all situations where your eye s are at risk, such as while working on a construction site, making home improvements, or even mowing the lawn.

“Vision is an important function, and you don’t want to compromise your long-term eye health simply because it’s inconvenient to follow best practices,” says Dr. Kitzmann. “Remember to stay aware of your surroundings and risks, wear eye protection, and leave fireworks to qualified professionals. Doing so will help you have a safer, more enjoyable Fourth of July, summer and life.”

Using caution when handling chemicals and cleaners is another good tip. You should always read the labels of cleaning supplies and other chemicals carefully before using them. Don't mix chemicals and keep them away from children at all times. As well as this, be careful when cooking or using hot objects. You should use grease shields to prevent the splattering of hot grease or oil, and always keep a safe distance from open flames. When working in the kitchen accidents occur frequently, due to the use of hot and flammable objects. Finally, don't let curiosity get the best of you. You should never look directly at objects such as fireworks, or other explosives. Eyes are often damaged in the process of objects like these.

Source: Mayo Clinic

If you have been involved in an accident and have suffered an eye injury, or any other personal injury, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers specialize in all types of personal injury cases and are ready to help you receive the benefits and compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation at 844.4MI.FIRM

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Distracted Driving Leads To Car Jumping Open Drawbridge

On Sunday, June 28, 2015, a driver named James Montano, was caught by multiple cameras on the Flagler Bridge in Palm Beach, Florida, jumping the drawbridge as it was going up. According to ABC News, Police say the jump was not the act of a daredevil, but more likely distracted driving. Montano is lucky that the distraction didn't cost him his life. Jumping an open drawbridge in most situations can lead to a car accident with severe injuries or even fatalities.  The driver of this vehicle was lucky to escape with what were reported to be minor injuries only.

“Basically it was a distracted driver incident,” explained Officer Philip Salm with the Palm Beach Police Department, “the individual was coming back towards West Palm and didn't see the bridge arms coming down, it was suspected the guy was messing with his GPS."
“The implications of what could have happened, had he hit at a different time or he hit the ramp and went over the side, you're talking about a potentially fatal accident," Salm said.

After the incident, the Flagler Bridge was closed for about five hours, as crews worked to repair the traffic arm that Montano broke while jumping the bridge. Motano and the passenger in his vehicle were treated for minor injuries at the scene of the crash and Montano was cited for reckless driving.

Distracted driving leads many accidents and fatalities annually in the United States and globally. Distracted driving may consist of texting and driving, eating and driving, adjusting the car's GPS navigation system, or anything else that could take a driver's eyes off the road.  According to the CDC, each day in the United States, more than nine people are killed and more than 1,153 people are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. In 2012, 3,328 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, and in addition to this, 421,000 people were injured.

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 auto accident and motorcycle accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

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Ride To Jury Duty With Uber In Macomb County, Michigan

uber accident lawyer

A new project in Macomb County, Michigan, is offering jury duty transportation via Uber. According to the Detroit News, Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh says that when residents receive a jury summons, they can access up to a $20 ride each way or $40 round trip to and from the Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Sabaugh also says that in most situations the full cost of the ride will be covered. However, if the resident lives a long distance away from the courthouse, they might have to pay a portion of the actual cost of transportation.

In many cases, jurors have difficulty finding transportation and some are concerned about finding parking or driving in bad weather. Sabaugh says that this 60-day pilot project is putting innovation into the justice system to ensure that defendants get a jury of their peers. Jury trials are a cornerstone of the American legal system, and this new technology seems to strengthen the ability to ensure that more jurors are available for this civic duty. 

We will wait and see if other county courts in Michigan or the rest of the country will also begin outsourcing their jury transportation to Uber.  

Uber can be helpful with assisting drivers with transportation. However, whether you use Uber or your own method of transportation, auto accidents can occur. According to the Association For Safe International Road Travel, annually, nearly 1.3 million people die in motor vehicle crashes each year, which on average, is 3,287. In addition to this, 20-50 million are injured or disabled. In the United States alone, over 37,000 people die in auto accidents each year, and an additional 2.35 million are either injured or disabled. Out of all of these accidents, in the United States, nearly 8,000 of the people killed are between the ages of 16-20.

If you have been injured in a car crash, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with car accidents. Our accident lawyers are waiting for you to call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

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New Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostic Device Cleared By FDA

Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

On June, 25, 2015, a new hand-held medical device used for analyzing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  This modern medical device is called the "Ahead 200," and is manufactured by BrainScope Company, Inc.

The Ahead 200 can detect a TBI after only 24 hours following the accident.

 According to the United States Army, the device was developed by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command's Combat Casualty Care Research Program (CCRP). This brain testing device uses commercial smart-phone technology to analyze a an injured person's brain activity for signs of a traumatic brain injury. The device can detect a TBI within 24 hours of the initial injury.

"The size and ease of use of the Ahead 200 allows medics to triage wounded war-fighters quickly," Atchison said. "Our goal is to not only save lives, but to ensure the best possible outcome for those injured in the line of duty, and tools like the Ahead 200 help us reach that goal."

Specifically, the device works by measuring the brain's electrical activity via a disposable headset that is placed on the patient's forehead. After this, the Ahead 200 uses algorithms, which quantify and characterize activity associated with traumatic brain injuries. The Ahead 200 will be very beneficial in assisting clinicians with real-time screening and head injuries.

"Traumatic brain injuries have been one of the signature injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Chessley Atchison, program manager for the Technology Enabled Capability Demonstration: Brain in Combat portfolio of the CCCRP. "There is a great need for a tool like this in theater. A normal [electroencephalogram] machine is a big piece of machinery and can't be used in the field."

BrainScope's President and CEO, Michael Singer, calls the new TBI testing device, an "objective, non-invasive, patient-friendly assessment device for rapid and easy use in urgent care settings."  There have already been 15 peer-reviewed articles highlighting the success of this brain injury testing device, such as the Journal of Neurotrauma, Brain Injury, Academic Emergency Medicine, Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, and Military Medicine.

If you have been injured in a car crash or any other type of accident and sustain a traumatic brain injury or any other type of serious tramua, contact a lawyer today at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys specialize in all types of personal injury cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

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Death Toll Of GM's Ignition Switch Defect Rises To 121

Recently, the death toll from General Motor's faulty ignition switches has risen to 121. Last year, GM hired attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who is working for GM and potentially offering victims' families compensation of at least $1 million each. According to Click On Detroit, Feinberg is set to make offers to 229 victims who were injured in General Motors car crashes due to possible defects in the switches in the Chevy Cobalt and other older cars. GM recalled 2.6 million cars last year due to this defect, but claimed that they knew about the switch problems for over a decade.

Ignition Switch Lawyer

So far, the faulty ignition switch has led to 121 deaths, as well as 14 serious injuries, and 237 minor injuries. Before the deadline of January 31, 2015, GM's compensation fund received 4,342 claims. About 3% of these claims remain under review, and about 90% of them were deemed ineligible or deficient. Out of these 4,342, so far, Feinberg has offered only 245 compensations, with 179 of them being accepted, and six of them being rejected. As of March 31, 2015, GM have paid $200 million in order to settle claims filed with Feinberg. Last year, GM estimated that 13 people had died due to the faulty ignition switch, but the company said the number would rise. Lawmakers at this time estimated that the number would rise above 100, and now the number is 121.

Just last year, GM spent an estimated $3 billion on recalls, as well as additional millions in order to compensate ignition switch-related accident victims and families, and these numbers are still growing. In cars, faults like these happen frequently, which can then unfortunately lead to auto accidents and traumatic injuries in some cases.

If you have been injured in a car crash, 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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