18 December

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Coordinated No-Fault Benefits: No More Payment Delays For Medical Providers

Michigan Court of Appeals decision makes it faster and easier for medical providers to claim PIP benefits under a coordinated no-fault policy. In St. John Macomb Oakland Hospital v State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins Co (Docket No. 329056, issued 12/8/2016), the Court of Appeals held that medical providers are not required to appeal a health insurer’s denial of benefits before seeking payment of no-fault personal protection insurance (PIP) benefits for the services they've rendered. The St. John decision clarifies last year's ruling in Farm Bureau Ins Co v Blue Cross Blue Shield, 314 Mich App 12 (2015), where the Court said that,...

14 December

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What Is “Reasonable Proof” Under The Michigan No-Fault Act?

Posted by lmurphy

in Auto No-Fault

Since being enacted more than 40 years ago, the Michigan No-Fault Act has been rather difficult to understand and apply. But despite the Act's overall complexities, there are some no-fault concepts that have retained their elegant simplicity -- and one of these is “reasonable proof." Under the Michigan No-Fault Act, an insurance company is required to pay personal protection insurance (PIP) claims within 30 days of receiving “reasonable proof of the fact and of the amount of loss sustained.” If an insurer fails to do this, it is liable for 12% annual penalty interest. Liability for penalty interest is strict and requires...

08 December

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Where Are The Most Dangerous Roads In Michigan?

Posted by lmurphy

in Motor Vehicle Crashes

I-496 Near US-127 Trowbridge Road exit Lansing, Michigan

Michigan roadways present many challenges for motorists, especially during the busy summer travel season and the treacherous winter months. Do you know which roads are considered some of the most dangerous in Michigan? In an effort to educate the public about the most dangerous roads in Michigan, Sinas Dramis has launched a campaign called "Understanding Dangerous Roads." Throughout the campaign, our attorneys will identify the most dangerous roads in Michigan by collecting and analyzing car crash statistics and other data. Videos are also created that highlight the particular roadways, with a thorough explanation of the unique risks associated with each highway. The "Understanding...

11 November

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When Do Michigan Drivers Need To Buy Rental Car Insurance?

Posted by lmurphy

in Fox 47

It can be pricey to rent a car. On top of paying for the vehicle itself, you're also asked whether you want to buy any rental car insurance coverage. Question is, do Michigan drivers really need to purchase supplemental rental car insurance? The answer is "not always" -- and here's why. First, Michigan drivers are required by law to have their own auto no-fault insurance, which: pays for an injured person's reasonable medical expenses, for life. applies to the policyholder, the policyholder's spouse and any resident relatives. applies even if they're not operating their own vehicle -- in other words, if they're...

08 November

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Why Do We Need A 9th Justice On The U.S. Supreme Court?

Posted by lmurphy

in Fox 17

The seat of the 9th justice on the U.S. Supreme Court has been empty for more than eight months. Why? Because the 9th justice, Antonin Scalia, passed away earlier this year and the person nominated to fill the vacancy, Merrick Garland, has not been confirmed by the U.S. Senate. When the 9th justice is no longer on the U.S. Supreme Court, usually due to death or retirement, the President nominates someone to fill the open seat. The nominee must be confirmed through a hearing and a vote of the U.S. Senate. If the nominee is confirmed, he or she serves on...

01 November

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Can You Get No-Fault Benefits & Damages In A Michigan Hit-And-Run Crash?

Posted by lmurphy

in Auto No-Fault, Fox 17

No one ever anticipates being in a hit-and-run crash where the other driver flees the scene. If you're injured in a Michigan hit-and-run car accident, one crucial question is whether you're entitled to no-fault benefits to pay your medical bills, replacement services and any lost wages. Another important question is whether you can recover damages for your non-economic loss, like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment, even though you don't know who hit your vehicle. No-Fault Benefits Under Michigan no-fault law, hit-and-run crash victims are treated like any other car accident victim. This means they are entitled to: allowable medical and rehabilitation...

26 October

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Grand Rapids Personal Injury Attorney Recognized As An “Up & Coming Lawyer”

Posted by lmurphy

in Recognition

grand-rapids-personal-injury-attorney-award

Thomas G. Sinas, a Sinas Dramis Law Firm partner and Grand Rapids personal injury attorney, has been named a 2016 “Up & Coming Lawyer” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, a statewide legal publication. Tom is one of 30 Michigan attorneys chosen by Michigan Lawyers Weekly to receive the honor. The practitioners selected for the award have been lawyers for 10 years or less and “display the ambition, drive, determination and accomplishments that make them worthy of the Up & Coming Lawyers title.” Upon learning of the award, Tom said: "It is truly an honor to be recognized alongside other excellent lawyers from around...

19 October

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Parents: Talk To Your Teenagers About Distracted Driving

Posted by lmurphy

in Fox 47, Safety Information

Distracted driving is involved in 6 of 10 crashes that seriously injure teenagers. Each October, National Teen Driver Safety Week is held across the country, helping to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and teen driver safety in general. It also offers parents an excellent opportunity to talk to their teens about safe driving habits. Studies show that only about 25 percent of parents have talked to their teens about driving safety. This is unfortunate because parents actually have more influence than they think over their teenager's driving habits. The bottom line? Parents need to talk with their teens about distracted driving...

17 October

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Bills Regulating Ride Sharing Regulations In Michigan Don’t Do Enough

Posted by lmurphy

in Safety Information

*** Note: This blog post was updated 3/13/2017 to reflect Michigan's new ride-sharing laws (Public Acts 345, 346, 347 and 348 of 2016). For several years, ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft have been operating in Michigan without any state oversight. But on March 21, 2017, this changed when Public Acts 345, 346, 347 and 348 went into effect. Until now, it has been unsettled exactly how the auto no-fault insurance system works when Uber or Lyft drivers are in a Michigan car accident. There have also been liability concerns because drivers are considered independent contractors and not ride-sharing company employees. In...

12 October

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Home Sharing In Michigan: The Risks & Liability Concerns

Posted by lmurphy

in Fox 17

In recent years, ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft have exploded onto the scene, helping create what is called the "sharing economy." Now, home sharing in Michigan is also booming, with services like Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway. Home-sharing companies basically operate like a hotel or a bed & breakfast. They help travelers who want temporary lodging in a particular location by connecting them with individuals in that location who will host them in their own home. But if you're part of Michigan's home-sharing economy, you need to be careful. In this video, Grand Rapids personal injury lawyer Tom Sinas talks about home-sharing...

Coordinated No-Fault Benefits: No More Payment Delays For Medical Providers

What Is “Reasonable Proof” Under The Michigan No-Fault Act?

Where Are The Most Dangerous Roads In Michigan?

When Do Michigan Drivers Need To Buy Rental Car Insurance?

Why Do We Need A 9th Justice On The U.S. Supreme Court?

Can You Get No-Fault Benefits & Damages In A Michigan Hit-And-Run Crash?

Grand Rapids Personal Injury Attorney Recognized As An “Up & Coming Lawyer”

Parents: Talk To Your Teenagers About Distracted Driving

Bills Regulating Ride Sharing Regulations In Michigan Don’t Do Enough

Home Sharing In Michigan: The Risks & Liability Concerns

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