04 December

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Drive Safe Michigan – Private Property Stop Signs and Emergency Vehicle Passing

in Motor Vehicle Crashes, Safety Information

Update: New emergency passing law goes into effect on February 13, 2019. Anyone who's taken a driver's training class knows the basic laws that govern Michigan roads. But most of us fail to keep ourselves up-to-date as these regulations change. As part of our commitment to helping Michigan residents better understand the law, we're starting Drive Safe Michigan. This campaign focuses on sharing traffic law information in an effort to improve Michigan roads and driving. Michigan car accident attorney, Steve Sinas, recently appeared on Fox 47's Morning Blend to kick off the campaign. He covered two very relevant and timely topics in the...

14 June

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Nearly Half of US 127 Accidents Linked to Young Drivers

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Motor Vehicle Crashes

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]We already know US 127 at the interchange with I-496 sees a large number of crashes each year, but taking a closer look at the main North and South roadway in Michigan, crash reports reveal one thing – young drivers contribute largely to the increased risk of a US 127 accident. Young Drivers: What we know Michigan considers young drivers anyone under the age of 24-years-old. In Michigan, once a teenager reaches the age of fourteen years, eight months old, they can begin segment one of the licensing process. Once a teen completes segments one and two, among other requirements, you...

19 April

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Another Semi-Truck Accident on US-131 at 100th St Bridge

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Motor Vehicle Crashes, Semi-Trucks

On April 6th, less than 100 days into 2018, the 100th Street bridge over northbound US-131 in the Grand Rapids area was struck by a semi-truck for the sixth time this year, officials confirmed. This area seems to be a chronic issue. On January 12th, a pair of semi-trucks struck and damaged the bridge for the first time in 2018. Multiple incidents in March at both the 100th Street bridge caused further structural damage, eventually requiring the Michigan Department of Transportation’s involvement. Finally, on April 17, MDOT announced plans for a new bridge at 100th Street and US-131 by 2020. And...

10 April

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Three Important Tips to Avoid an Accident on US-127 at I-496

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Motor Vehicle Crashes

As part of our Understanding Dangerous Roads campaign, we’ve reported before the dangers of an accident on US-127 at I-496. As one of Lansing’s main thoroughfares serving many commuters to the east side of Lansing, downtown Lansing, and city of East Lansing, this interchange sees heavy traffic throughout the day. Shifting lanes, high speeds, vehicles merging from both sides of the freeway, and poor road conditions all contribute to the dangers of this area, and unfortunately, it isn’t likely to improve any time soon. If this area is on your route, keep these tips in mind to help avoid an...

20 March

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Saginaw Broadbent Intersection – Light Installed and Operational

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Motor Vehicle Crashes

Traffic Light Installed and Operation at Saginaw Broadbent Intersection Sinas Dramis Law Firm

Efforts to Improve Safety at Dangerous Intersection Underway As part of our Understanding Dangerous Roads campaign, we highlighted the Saginaw Broadbent intersection in west Lansing last year. This area is particularly problematic and is becoming more and more dangerous due to continually increasing traffic and nearby residential and commercial building projects on the rise. Traffic Light Needed at Saginaw Broadbent Intersection In our initial assessment of the intersection, we recommended the installation of a traffic light to reduce the number of collisions. With a controlled intersection, motorists can more safely turn onto Saginaw from Broadbent, and vice versa, while fewer drivers will sit in...

20 November

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Semi-Truck Side Guards: Do They Reduce Crash Fatalities?

Posted by lmurphy

in Motor Vehicle Crashes, Safety Information, Semi-Trucks

Michigan semi-truck accident injuries can be devastating, and are often fatal. This is not only due to the sheer weight and size of the trucks, but also because smaller vehicles can slide underneath these large trucks, resulting in even more catastrophic injuries. There are, however, ways to help reduce this type of tragedy, including the use of semi-truck side guards. Right now, long-haul commercial trucks in the United States are only required to have rear under-ride guards. These devices (also called "Mansfield bars" after the death of actress Jayne Mansfield in a rear-end collision with a semi-truck) are designed to keep...

09 November

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Using An Auto Accident Case Manager? Here’s What You Need To Know

Posted by lmurphy

in Motor Vehicle Crashes

Under the no-fault law, persons who are injured in motor vehicle collisions can use the services of an auto accident case manager. Basically, a case manager helps injured individuals coordinate their medical care during their recovery. It's crucial that Michigan car accident victims understand the nuances of using an auto accident case manager. Why? Because some insurance companies lead their insureds to believe that they must use a case manager selected by the insurance carrier, or else risk jeopardizing a claim for no-fault PIP benefits. This simply is not true. Here's why. Auto Accident Case Manager Services And The No-Fault Law The services of...

26 October

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Traffic Accident Deaths Spike For Pedestrians, Motorcyclists, Bicyclists

Posted by lmurphy

in Motor Vehicle Crashes, Motorcycles, Wrongful Death

Last year, there were more than 37,000 traffic accident deaths in the United States -- an increase of 5.6% over the previous year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). What stands out among these latest NHTSA findings? In 2016, there was a noticeable uptick in traffic accident deaths involving pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists. Traffic Accident Deaths: Pedestrians, Motorcyclists And Bicyclists There were 5,987 traffic accident deaths involving pedestrians across the United States in 2016 -- an increase of 9%. This is the highest number since 1990. The spike in pedestrian accidents can be attributed to many factors, including more speeding motorists, distracted...

02 October

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Michigan Accident Victims May Face Lawsuits Over Unpaid Medical Bills

Posted by lmurphy

in Motor Vehicle Crashes

"[H]ealthcare providers do not possess a statutory cause of action against no-fault insurers for recovery of personal protection insurance benefits under the no-fault act.” ~ Michigan Supreme Court, Covenant Medical Center v State Farm [hr_shadow] A few months ago, the Michigan Supreme Court issued a decision that could affect thousands of Michigan drivers with auto no-fault insurance. How so? Because the Court's decision involves who can -- and cannot -- be sued for unpaid medical bills after a Michigan car accident injury. Covenant: Medical Providers Can't Sue Insurers For Unpaid Bills In Covenant Medical Center v State Farm, the Michigan Supreme Court held that...

22 September

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I-96 I-69 Accidents In Lansing Average Nearly 100 Each Year

Posted by lmurphy

in Motor Vehicle Crashes

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]The I-96 I-69 interchange in Lansing is a major artery through which hundreds, if not thousands, of motorists travel every day. As such, the interchange has its fair share of fender benders, as well as serious collisions. In the last five years, there were a total of 437 crashes along the interchange, an average of 87 per year. While the number of fatal crashes in the area remains low at the interchange an I-96 I-69 accident in 2015 killed a 13-year-old boy and injured several of the boy's family members, who were thrown from the SUV in which they were...

Drive Safe Michigan – Private Property Stop Signs and Emergency Vehicle Passing

Nearly Half of US 127 Accidents Linked to Young Drivers

Another Semi-Truck Accident on US-131 at 100th St Bridge

Three Important Tips to Avoid an Accident on US-127 at I-496

Saginaw Broadbent Intersection – Light Installed and Operational

Semi-Truck Side Guards: Do They Reduce Crash Fatalities?

Using An Auto Accident Case Manager? Here’s What You Need To Know

Traffic Accident Deaths Spike For Pedestrians, Motorcyclists, Bicyclists

Michigan Accident Victims May Face Lawsuits Over Unpaid Medical Bills

I-96 I-69 Accidents In Lansing Average Nearly 100 Each Year

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