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19 March
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Michigan Beach Walking Laws – What’s Public and What’s Private?

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Fox 17, WLNS 6
beach-walking-sunset

As Michigan's infamous summer seemingly inches closer, you might be wondering, “Where are the public beaches near me?” And the answer is more ambiguous than you might think. Tom Sinas, Grand Rapids personal injury attorney, appeared on Fox 17’s Know the Law recently to help beachgoers understand their rights regarding Michigan beach walking laws and outlines where you can and cannot walk along the infamous shoreline of West Michigan. Michigan Beach Walking Laws in the Spotlight A recent case in Indiana – Gunderson v. State of Indiana – a landowner challenged Indiana state law regarding where the public is allowed to walk...

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04 March
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Short Term Rentals – What Landlords Should Know Before Listing Their Home

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Fox 17
a-frame-cabin-woods

With about 150 million users, Airbnb is taking short term rentals by storm. The ability to stay in someone's home offers a unique way to feel like a local when traveling as well as an alternative to hotels. However, this type of accommodation raises some legal questions and Grand Rapids personal injury attorney, Tom Sinas, recently appeared on Fox 17 Know the Law to explain more. Short Term Rentals Up for Debate In Michigan, local ordinances are allowed to determine whether short term rentals are allowable within city limits or not. While some cities in Northern Michigan, one of the state's most...

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04 March
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How to Access the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Fox 17

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, while used widely by news and media outlets, is available to anyone with the purpose of holding government officials accountable. Tom Sinas, Grand Rapids personal injury attorney, recently appeared on Fox 17 Know the Law to explain how and when the public can use it. Differentiating Between Michigan Freedom of Information Act and Federal FOIA There are two types of Freedom of Information Acts - one on the federal level and one on the state level. For purposes for this discussion, we are focusing on the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. The purpose of both Acts...

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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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12 February
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Motorcycle Hit-and-Run Accident – What Every Motorcyclist in Michigan Should Know

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Fox 17, Motor Vehicle Crashes, Motorcycles
motorcycle-highway-sunset

Everyone knows Michigan is a no-fault auto insurance state. Under the No-Fault Act, priorities are established that determine which insurer is responsible for paying the injured person's benefits. But, interestingly enough, motorcyclists occupy a strange place with regard to no-fault priorities in Michigan, especially when it comes to motorcycle hit-and-run accidents. Motorcycles aren't considered motor vehicles in Michigan. Therefore, they aren't required to carry no-fault coverage. Yet motorcyclists may still collect no-fault benefits if they're injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle. Order of No-Fault Priorities for Motorcyclists While the no-fault statute mandates that motorists seek benefits from their own insurer first,...

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30 January
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AirPods Live Listen – Hearing Aid or Secret Spy Tool?

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Fox 17
airpods-live-listen-spy-tool

Most likely by now, you've heard about it in the news or seen it in your Facebook feed. The world is currently buzzing about people turning their Apple products into intricate spying devices, secret agent style. With a reputation for streamlining technology, Apple's new "hearing aids," AirPods, offer the freedom to listen to music and media wirelessly via Bluetooth. To do so, a new feature, known as AirPods Live Listen, is needed. Apple describes the feature as: [callout2]"With Live Listen, your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch becomes a remote microphone that sends sound to your Made for iPhone hearing aid. Live Listen...

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25 January
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Car Accident Without Insurance – Michigan Assigned Claims Plan

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Fox 17, Motor Vehicle Crashes
auto-insurance-policy

While purchasing uninsured motorist coverage is optional, it's something our Michigan auto accident attorneys highly recommend. Uninsured motorist coverage takes care of people injured in accidents with vehicles that aren't covered by a no-fault auto insurance policy. Typically, the injured person first turns to their own auto insurance policy for the payment of no-fault benefits. Sometimes, however, there are instances they would file a claim against the other driver's policy. But what happens when there isn't another policy? What happens when there's a car accident and no insurance provider to turn to at all? With roughly 21% of Michigan motorists driving...

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14 January
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Flight Delay Compensation and Other Airline Passenger Rights

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Fox 17
airplane-isle-passengers-in-seats

With spring break approaching, many of us will take advantage of a week off school to travel someplace warm. Because travel increases so much this time of year, it's important to anticipate minor setbacks and to understand airline passenger rights, including flight delay compensation and lost baggage reimbursement. Personal injury attorney, Tom Sinas, shared more on Fox 17 Know the Law. Flight Delay Compensation In response to a few recent airline incidents, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enacted some new rules that outline an airline passenger's rights, one of which is flight delay compensation or "bumping." Bumping happens when an airline overbooks...

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04 January
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Civil Asset Forfeiture in Michigan – What it is and Why it’s Controversial

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Fox 17, WLNS 6
police-siren-lights

Update: May, 2019, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 2 and House Bills 4001 and 40002 into law. These bills prohibit law enforcement from forfeiting seized assets (under $50,000 in value) from crimes involving controlled substances without a conviction or plea agreement, or unless the property owner relinquishes the property. Civil forfeiture is a hotly debated topic right now across the U.S. In fact, recently the Supreme Court heard a case out of Indiana which led to questioning the legality of forfeiture. Bryan Waldman recently appeared on WLNS 6 Legal Edge to explain the legal implications of civil asset forfeiture in Michigan, what...

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19 December
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Understanding Michigan Dog Bite and Leash Laws

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas
in Fox 17
dog-on-leash-dog-walking

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dogs are labeled man's best friend with good reason. Their endless companionship and loyalty are unmatched. However, it's important to not forget there are laws that accompany dog ownership. Tom Sinas, who specializes in personal injury litigation in West Michigan and beyond, shares three important laws that dog owners cannot ignore. So many responsibilities come along with pet ownership, the article and video below are great resources for new pet owners to brush up on when they get a new dog. Licensing and Getting Tags for Your Pet For new dog owners, there is a 6-month window to register your new...

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