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17 June
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Michigan’s Cell Phone Use and Driving-While-Texting Laws

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Michigan Laws, Motor Vehicle Crashes
texting while driving and phone use laws in michigan

As soon as you see those red and blue lights in your rearview mirror signaling you need to pull over, you start analyzing what you may have done wrong to cause the stop. This is especially true if you weren't speeding, you're wearing your seatbelt, and following posted traffic signs - some of the most common causes of traffic stops. What may not immediately pop into your mind, however, is a growing cause for stops: cell phone use behind the wheel. As of right now, there is no statewide hands-free law in Michigan. However, because distracted driving accidents are on...

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23 April
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What is a Threshold Injury? No-Fault Reform Provides Further Clarification

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Auto No-Fault, Motor Vehicle Crashes
man with arm injury working on laptop

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Authored by Grand Rapids auto accident lawyer, Tom Sinas What is a threshold injury? If you've been injured in a motor vehicle collision, have heard this term tossed around, and are confused and wonder what it means, we have good and bad news. The bad news is, you're not alone. Threshold law has been the source of great debate in Michigan amongst practitioners and judges throughout the years. It seems that as soon as the courts settle on what constitutes a "serious impairment of body function," an appellate decision upends that definition. The good news, though, is that we seem...

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14 April
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Out-Of-State Drivers Involved in Michigan Accidents: Impacts of the Recent No-Fault Reform

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Auto Insurance, Motor Vehicle Crashes
sunset image of road and trees

Summer typically brings in a wave of tourism to Michigan as out-of-state visitors flock to our state's many shorelines and recreation sites. However, in 2020 these visitors could encounter surprises beyond just lakeshore erosion. Effective July 1st, 2020, Michigan’s auto insurance law reforms will impact out-of-state drivers involved in Michigan car accidents, as well as Michigan residents. Changes to Michigan’s No-Fault PIP Benefits Before Public Acts 21 & 22 were passed, out-out-state residents injured in Michigan auto accidents were eligible to receive PIP benefits. But under the new reformed law, unless operating a vehicle that is registered and insured in Michigan, out-of-state...

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04 February
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Risks of Using Car Insurance Tracking Devices

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Auto Insurance, Motor Vehicle Crashes
risks of car insurance tracking devices over car dashboard and person holding cell phone

You've probably seen advertisements for them everywhere. Or maybe your agent has filled you in on a "great way to save on your car insurance!" At the cost of a fractional reduction in your insurance premium, you're asked to install a device in your car or an app on your phone that tracks your every movement and "rewards safe driving!" But don't get caught up in the gimmicky marketing ploys - the risks of using car insurance tracking devices abound! Drive Safe, Save Money, Reliquinsh Privacy Every major car insurance company in the United States now has what is referred to as...

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07 November
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How Trucking Companies Fight Lawsuits and What to Look for in a Lawyer to Challenge Them

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Announcements, Motor Vehicle Crashes, Results, Semi-Trucks

Your life can change in the blink of an eye - and for one family, that's exactly what happened one morning in rural Michigan when a reckless commercial truck driver caused a completely preventable crash. But despite the immediate devastation, the trucking company's handling of the situation was further insult to the family's many injuries. The following is a tragic example of how trucking companies fight lawsuits, avoid liability, and treat seriously injured people based on simple factors like one's home address. This article also outlines the reason why it's paramount to find an attorney who will go to bat...

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02 October
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What Happens to Passengers Injured in Drunk Driving Accidents?

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Motor Vehicle Crashes
man doubled over in pain, holding his back with "injured passengers in drunk driving crashes" over it

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]By now, we all know the dangers of drunk driving and the resulting consequences. There's quite a bit of information available, and Michigan State Police truly don't mess around with handing out DUIs. The numbers, statistics, and rates of injuries surrounding drunken crashes are downright alarming. And while most of us know what happens to drivers who cause these crashes, what about passengers who knowingly got into a drunk driver's vehicle? In this article, we review what happens to passengers of drunk driving accidents and what compensation they can pursue. Drunk Driving Injuries Not Always Driver's Fault More often than not, drunk...

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17 July
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Car Accident PTSD – Symptoms, Treatment, Resources

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Brain Injury, Motor Vehicle Crashes
anxiety-depression-adult-woman

Michigan personal injury attorney, Steve Weston, has dedicated his more than thirty-year career to advocating for and working with victims of catastrophic injuries and trauma. He is an attorney who takes his practice further than the courtroom. He actively engages in his client's recovery and care post-accident. As part of this unique care team, he understands the life-changing emotional toll that often accompanies such injuries. Because of this, he has done extensive research on the connection between injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In a recently published article regarding PTSD on BestLawyers.com, Weston explains that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is...

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06 May
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Potential Changes Could Be Coming to Michigan’s Drunk Driving Limit

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Fox 17, Motor Vehicle Crashes
tumbler-glass-alcohol-drinks

Michigan roads could become a lot safer in the near future. Potential bills to change the drunk driving limit in Michigan would help reduce the dangers that come with driving while intoxicated. Tom Sinas, Grand Rapids auto accident attorney, recently appeared on Fox 17’s Know the Law. Tom explains the current drunk driving limits and laws as well as describes the changes that could be coming. Drunk and Super Drunk Driving Limit Michigan’s current drunk driving laws categorize drunk driving limit in two tiers: drunk driving and super drunk driving. With drunk driving, the BAC limit is 0.08 and comes with consequences...

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01 March
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Survivors’ Loss Benefits – Supporting Families Following a Fatal Car Accident in Michigan

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Auto Insurance, Motor Vehicle Crashes, Wrongful Death
grieving-family-holding-hands

Despite overwhelming public debate regarding Michigan's auto no-fault, there is seldom disagreement regarding one of its greatest and most aspirational benefits -  financial security for families following a tragedy. And that security is most needed in the aftermath of a fatal car accident in Michigan. When Michigan families face such tragedies as the wrongful death of a loved one, our auto no-fault system is there to help. Survivor's loss benefits, MCL 500.301 et seq, help bridge the financial gap caused by a person's passing in a fatal car accident in Michigan. Who Can Claim Survivors' Loss Benefits The specific survivors' loss statute...

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20 February
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Work Loss Benefits – Michigan’s No-Fault Benefits for Lost Wages Following a Car Accident

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Auto Insurance, Fox 17, Motor Vehicle Crashes
work-loss-benefits

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Following a severe auto accident, victims are oftentimes too injured to return to work. In these instances, the injured person may be entitled to Work Loss Benefits from their own auto insurance provider. This is a benefit unique to Michigan's no-fault system. Tom Sinas, Grand Rapids auto accident attorney, appeared on Fox 17’s Know the Law to further explain reimbursement for lost wages following a crash. No-Fault Benefits at a Glance We focus a lot on the medical component of no-fault benefits. When someone is injured in a Michigan auto accident, they turn to their own no-fault insurance provider for payment of this...

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