Summer Driving Tips – Safety First

During summer time, Metro Detroit roads tend to get busier than any other time of the year. In order to stay safe on the road, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) has shared some driving tips focusing on putting safety first in order to minimize car accidents.

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  • Protect the Children

  • Always wear a seat belt

  • Summer Safety Alert

  • Stay Alert

When traveling with children, your number one priority should be to keep them safe. You should make sure that children in the car with you are in a car seat, booster seat, or wearing a seat belt that is best suited to protect them. If you child is 13 years of age or younger, they should always ride in the backseat of the car. As well as keeping your child safe, it is important that everyone else in the vehicle is safe too, in order to prevent injuries that may arise from car accidents, if one were to happen. All passengers must be wearing a seat belt at all times under Michigan law. You should set an example by always putting your seat belt on right away when you enter the car.

In addition to the above tips on keeping children safe, there are other dangers that should be looked at as well. Heatstroke can be common during the summer. It can occur when a child is left unattended in a parked car. You should never leave a child alone in the car, not even for a couple of minutes or with the engine running. According to the NHTSA, if the temperature outside is in the low 80s, the temperature inside the vehicle can reach deadly levels in only a few minutes. The body temperature of a child's body raises 3 to 5 times faster than that of an adult.

Lastly, staying alert on the road is equally as important. Long road trips can be tough on children, and in return, tough on you. It's important to plan accordingly by planning time along the way to take a group stretch, get something to eat or drink, return calls or text messages, and change drivers if you are tired. Staying over night at a hotel can make a trip a lot less tiring and overall easier for everyone. You should also bring along some of your children's favorite books or movies, so that the trip will go faster for them and there will be less distractions for you.

Following these summer driving tips can help your safety on the road. However, If you have been injured in a car accident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Motor vehicle accidents can lead to legal problems, whether it be a car, motorcycle, or bus accident, we're here to help. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of auto accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

Summer Driving Tips

During summer, kids are out of school, adults get time off work, and that means people spend drivers are on the road. Teenage drivers will be driving to friends houses, families will be taking long road trips for vacation, and much more. In order to keep safe on the road, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) has shared some driving tips about things you should do before you leave for your drive in order to prevent car accidents.

  • Check your vehicle's tire pressure at least once a month.

  • Examine your wiper blades for wear and tear.

  • Check your cooling system.

  • Check your fluid levels.

  • Check all of your lights.

  • Check your air conditioning performance.

It's important to check your car's tire pressure, especially when they're cold. All tires naturally lose air over time, and under-inflation is the number one cause of tire failure. The correct tire pressure for your vehicle can be found on the driver's door pillar or in the owner's manual. You should also take time to check your tires for uneven wear. According to the NHTSA, if the tread of your tires is worn down to 1/16 off an inch, it's time to replace your tires.

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After heavy amounts of rain and snow from the winter months, especially in Michigan, windshield wipers may need to be replaced. Wiper blades are also extremely vulnerable in heat, and if they aren't in mint condition, you should invest in new ones before you take off. Another important thing to check is your cooling system. When the engine hasn't been running and the engine is cool, you should should check your coolant level to make sure it is full. The radiator in your vehicle needs the right levels of water and coolant in order to function properly. Similar to coolant levels, you should also check your car's oil level. Oil, brake, transmission, power, steering, and windshield washer fluids are all equally important and should be at high levels before you leave.

Also, In addition to these tips, you should also ensure that all of your car's  lights are working including headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, interior lights, and trailer lights. When these lights don't work, it can be a serious hazard. Air conditioning is also important to check. Lack of air conditioning on hot summer days can lead to dehydration and other health issues.

If your vehicle has any problems with these features they can possibly lead to motor vehicle accidents. If you have been injured in any type of auto accident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our Metro Detroit accident lawyers are experienced in handling all types of auto accident and motorcycle accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

Keeping Children Safe On Bicycles

All around the world, kids enjoy riding their bicycles. Bike riding can be enjoyable for children, but it can also be dangerous if the proper safety precautions are not taken in advance. To ensure safety when riding a bike, practice is key. Before taking off on their own, children should practice and learn the basics such as starting and stopping, looking over their shoulders, signaling to vehicles, and riding in a straight line. By practicing and building confidence, children are less likely to be involved in an accident.

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Another tip to help the safety of children while riding a bicycle involves the size of the bike. Your child should never use a bicycle that is too large or too small. You should only use a bike that is the correct size. In order to stay safe while riding a bicycle a helmet must be worn at all times to avoid some of the risk of serious injury. Falling off of a bike can often lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). All helmets work to a certain extent, but they're more effective when they fit properly. The helmet should fit low on a child's forehead, approximately 2 fingers above the eyebrow. As well as this, your child should be able to look up and see the helmet. If your child cannot see the helmet when he or she looks up, the helmet is too far back.

In addition to these tips, your children should also make sure their bicycles are ready to go before they take off. Before every ride, check to ensure the bike's tires are adequately inflated, makes sure the brakes are working, and check that the chain is properly connected. As well as this, being street smart can also increase your children's safety. Kids always need to be alert while riding a bicycle, so they should never wear headphones or use cell phones while riding.  These distractions may lead to increased risk of a bike accident.  Children should also ride on a sidewalk when it's possible. If no sidewalk is available, they should ride in the same direction of the traffic on the road.  Always obey all traffic signals and local traffic ordinances. 

Following these tips can help the safety of your children when riding bicycles. However, even if these guidelines are followed, there is still a possibility of being involved in an accident. If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle crash, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our Birmingham, MI attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with car, truck, and bike 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.

Two Car Incidents On I-96 In Detroit, Michigan

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On Monday, June 22, 2015, at around 4 am, a car accident occurred in Detroit, Michigan on the eastbound lanes of I-96 near Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. As reported by Click On Detroit, Detroit Police said a driver was on his way to work when a silver or gold Chrysler started "brake-checking" in front of him. The driver then tried to go around the Chrysler, but was forced into a wall and held at gunpoint. People from the Chrysler then stole his car. After his car was stolen he walked to the nearest gas station and called the police for help.

Shortly after this incident occurred, a driver heading westbound on the I-96 called the police to report another accident. The driver passing the accident told the police that it looked like an incident involving 3 vehicles. Police said that the driver was sideswiped by a Chrysler 200. They also reported that someone inside the Chrysler then exited the vehicle and fired a shot at the driver. Despite being shot at, the driver was able to put his car in reverse and exit the scene unharmed. Police say the other two vehicles involved in the incident were a Dodge Charger and possibly a Chevy Cobalt, which was stolen during the first incident. The car that was originally stolen in the first accident was found by police at around 5:45 am, which nothing stolen from the car.

Both carjackings and motor vehicle accidents are do occur in the United States, as well as in Michigan. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, around 37,000 people die in road crashes per year in the US. In Michigan, according to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, in 2014, there were 876 car accident fatalities. With Carjackings, as reported by Global Security Experts, 38,000 carjackings occur per year in the US, and according to the Detroit Free Press, in 2014, there were 545 carjackings in Detroit, Michigan, alone.

If you are have been injured in a car accident or carjacking, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are available to help you with questions regarding 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.

Car Sharing Doesn't Affect New Car Sales

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In the recent past, futurists believed that millennials aren't that interested in owning cars and trucks, due to the amount of car sharing. Despite these predictions, car sharing might not effect the car industry after all. As reported by, Detroit Free Press, for the first time since the housing bubble of around a decade ago, new vehicle sales are running at levels like they used to be. However, at the same time, according to the University of California Berkeley Sustainability Research Center, in 2014, 1.3 million Americans belonged to a car-sharing network, which was a 34% increase from 2013.

“In fact, a new segment of the car-share industry is also expanding, renting out your personal vehicle to strangers in much the same way Airbnb.com rents out your residence to travelers, if you're out of town or on your own vacation. The San Francisco-based vehicle-share program, which launched in 2009, is called Getaround and has expanded this year to Washington DC, Portland, Ore., and Chicago.”

Millennials, who are now the largest demographic block in the United States, are not abandoning buying cars. 27 percent of new vehicles purchased in the US last year were accounted for by those born after 1980, which is an 18% increase from 2010. Customers are buying cars as well as sharing vehicles. Car sharing is expanding through companies like Zipcar, which is a company much like Getaround. Zipcar car rents out cars to people for as little as one hour, or even up to a week. People can rent a car and don't have to pay for gas unless they use more than 180 miles. In southeast Michigan, Zipcar rents 47 vehicles from 25 locations in Detroit, 43 vehicles from Ann Arbor, and 7 vehicles from East Lansing. Zipcar charges $70 per year or $70 per month, with a $25 activation fee.

Whether or not you have your own vehicle or car share, cars are deadly weapons which can lead to accidents. If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle crash, call us today at 844.MI.FIRM. The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC offers free consultations to those who have been injured in accidents. Our accident attorneys will work hard to recover any and all available benefits under Michigan Law.  


68-Year-Old Woman Runs Herself Over

On Tuesday, June 9, 2015, a 68-year-old grandmother died after accidentally running herself over. This motor vehicle accident occurred at around 3:20 pm, when the woman arrived at her home in her 2005 Mitsubishi SUV, with her 6-year-old grandchild in the backseat. According to the Detroit Free Press, she left the transmission in reserve as she exited the vehicle and the car backed over her, pulling her under the wheels.

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There were neighbors who witnessed the car accident, who immediately ran over the try and help and called 911. Justin Stokes, one of the witnesses, was on the phone at the time, when he saw a car lying in the middle of the street and an elderly woman lying in her front yard. "It was a bad scene," Stokes said. He added, "I tried to help the kids stop crying ... I tried to stay relaxed." The name of the grandmother has not been released, but she was taken to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital by Warren Fire EMS, where she died of head injuries. Luckily, the grandchild in the backseat was not injured.

According to studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, among both genders, the amount of fatalities and fatality rate has steadily declined with the age group of under 16, whereas the 51-55 age group had the highest increase in fatalities. Among females, the over-65 age group, which is the one this accident victim belongs to, had the highest number of fatalities followed by the 16-to-20 age group.

If you have been injured in a car crash similar to this one, or any motor vehicle accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers specialize in helping victims of car accidents deal with insurance companies, pay for medical bills, and easing your road to recovery. Call us today for a free consultation at 844.4MI.FIRM.

Repairs Of The Millionth Corvette

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Recently, repair began for the one-millionth Corvette that fell through the floor of the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Over a year ago, on February 12, 2014, the car fell through 30 feet into a sinkhole of the Museum, which did as much damage to the car, as a severe car accident could. The Corvette is currently being repaired by experts at General Motors' (GM) design center in Warren, Michigan. According to the Detroit Free Press, the restored car should return to the National Corvette Museum by Labor Day.

General Motors is doing their best to keep all of the original parts of the vehicle. During the accident, the metal frame for the windshield collapsed and when the car arrived at the GM design center it resembled a crumpled tin can. Despite the part being close to destroyed, GM did their best to salvage it, and continues to do so with other parts of the vehicle. As the car was being moved down the assembly line when it was built, assembly workers at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant signed the inside of the car. GM intends to be able to save all of the signatures, despite the damage to the vehicle.

"There's only one car that's the millionth Corvette, and we want to save as many of the original parts as possible," - David Bolognino, director of GM Design Fabrication.

As of now, the repairs of the car have included straightening the frame and restoring the car to running condition. The next steps of the process include cleaning and repairing the interior and seats. Repairs are being done in one of GM's inner sanctums, a sparkling clean garage where the company puts on finishing touches for secret concept cars. As mentioned above, GM plans to have the car ready for Labor Day, in time for the Corvette Museum's 21st anniversary.

If you have been injured in a car accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in making sure victims of motor vehicle crashes receive the care they deserve without having to pay for it. Our experienced attorneys will deal with insurance companies for you, so that you can focus on your recovery. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Michigan Driver Crashes Directly Into A Residential Home

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On Friday, June 5, 2015, at about 7:30 pm, a 61-year-old man accidentally crashed his car into a residential home home in the Metro Detroit area. The man driving the vehicle was from Sterling Heights, Michigan, and the accident occurred near the intersection of 23 Mile Road and Ryan Road. The car sideswiped another motor vehicle and lost control when it crashed into the home. The crash sparked a gas leak, which caused the homeowners and the neighbors to evacuate their homes. The driver of the vehicle was not injured and neither were the two people in the home.

The driver of the vehicle told investigators that he “was unable to stop his Toyota Avalon due to his accelerator sticking.”  No additional information has been made available to suggest that Toyota is at fault. 

The driver of the vehicle was lucky not to have been injured in the accident. According to the Association For Safe International Travel, 1.3 million people die in automobile crashes each year globally, which is an average of 3,287 deaths per day. An addition to this, 20-50 million are injured or disabled from car accidents. The numbers are also concerning for the United States' statistics, with over 37,000 people dying in car crashes annually, and an additional 2.35 million injuries.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident or motor vehicle accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. The Michigan Law Firm can help take care of all of these stresses for you. Our experienced accident attorneys will deal with insurance companies, to ensure that you receive all the benefits you are entitled to, so that you are able to focus on your recovery. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Training Program Improves Long-Term TBI Symptoms

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can potentially lead to many long-term symptoms such as depression, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, headaches, and even dizziness. Recently, according to Neurology Now, a cognitive training program was designed that may help improve these symptoms even 10 years after the injury. Neurology Now relied in part on the University of Texas at Dallas' Center for BrainHealth. Researches developed and tested an 18-hour training program called SMART (Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training) over a period of 8 weeks, with a group of TBI patients that mostly had the initial injury over 10 years ago.

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During the study, 31 TBI patients participated in the SMART program. All of the patients had cognitive or physiological symptoms, such as difficulty carrying out daily tasks and problem solving. During the program, patients learned multiple strategies that would help them improve their attention, reasoning, and innovative thinking skills. To improve the patients' concentration, researchers taught the patients to identify and block out distractions, which would then help you focus better on a single task.

After the eight week program, the TBI patients took a reading test, and found that they improved their ability to gasp abstract concepts by 20 percent, and they also improved their memory by 30 percent. In addition to this, researchers found that patients who participated had a more than 25 percent increase in blood flow to the affected brain regions. If future tests and studies confirm these results, then the SMART program could be added the growing amount of cognitive training programs for treating the long term effects of traumatic brain injuries.

“These cognitive and psychological improvements could also have a positive impact on one’s confidence, cognitive control, sense of well-being, and self-worth” - Researchers of the SMART program

If you have been injured in a car accident and receive a traumatic brain injury, 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.

Injections for Spine Injuires

Injections of anti-inflammatory steroid medications for back and neck pain are becoming very common. According to the Harvard Health Blog which is maintained by Harvard Medical School, in 2011, there were 2.3 million steroid injections into the spines of people experiencing back pain billed to Medicare alone. These injections are taken to help reduce inflammation and help relieve pain, by delivering drugs that mimic the effects of two hormones, cortisone and hydrocortisone. They injections don't always work, but when they do, they bring significant relief to many patients' pain and suffering.

“If you are in severe pain with a ruptured spinal disc and you get a steroid injection, you are going to feel better sooner,” says Dr. James P. Rathmell, MD, professor of anesthesia at Harvard Medical School. “That’s the good part.” 
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Although there can be risks when receiving a spinal injection, the risks are considered to be minimal. Dr. Rathmell has said that it's hard to know exactly how often spinal injections go wrong. “My belief, based on the small numbers that are out there, is that it's probably less than one in 10,000,” Dr. Rathmell says. It is uncommon for spinal injection to go awry, but it is important to be aware of the risks.

“I think it is terrific when someone comes in and asks if they can be paralyzed by this injection,” he says. “That’s the perfect question to ask. The answer is yes, but the chances of that are extraordinarily low. Then I describe exactly what I’m going to do to make it as low as humanly possible.” - Dr. Rathmell, MD.

Everything considered, spine injections may be a central part of the treatment plan for many victims of injury accidents.  Always consult with your doctor regard the best course of medical treatment.  In many cases, conservative treatment options are recommended first before spinal injections. 

Motor vehicle accidents can potentially cause injuries where spinal injections would be an available treatment option. If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle crash, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are available 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.

Contaminated Drinking Water in Flint, Michigan

As of Wednesday, June 3, 2015, it was found that thousands of Michigan residents are being exposed to potentially contaminated drinking water. This contaminated water could possibly pose threats to residents' health and well-being. In April 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan, which is about 70 miles northwest of Detroit, with a population of around 100,000, withdrew from the Detroit water system, and began using water from the Flint River instead.

Contaminated River Water

After this transition by the city of Flint, Michigan, safety tests were conducted, and the results showed high levels of TTHM in the drinking water, which violates the Safe Drinking Water Act. According to Think Progress, TTHM, otherwise known as trihalomethane, is a byproduct of chlorine disinfection. As reported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to TTHM or consumption of the chemicals can pose significant health risks. In the past, The Flint River has had issues with poor water quality due to industrial pollution in the area.

While residents continue to pay high prices to consume unsafe water, members of Congress hope to find a legislative solution. “This is not a Detroit issue, a Highland Park issue, a Flint issue,” said Rep. Christine Greig (D-Farmington Hills) at the hearing. “This is a Michigan issue.” Rep. Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint) hopes the hearing will serve as a framework for future legislation to protect the Flint residents’ right to safe drinking water.

Many found out about the possible contaminated water in January, after a federal notice was sent out to Flint residents. At a hearing on Wednesday, June 5, 2015, Flint residents told the court stories of rashes and other medical problems from drinking the water. Residents complained about be forced to buy bottled water and having to take their clothes to the laundromat. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department offered to reconnect Flint to its water System, but the city of Flint chose not to due to price concerns. Some say the water in the city of Flint is slowly becoming less contaminated, but one of the eight water testing sights still shows high levels of TTHM.  

Detroit, Michigan Carjacking Caught By Surveillance

Earlier this morning, at around 2 am., there was a carjacking at a Detroit Valero gas station. According to Click On Detroit, the car jacking happened on Detroit's west side at the gas station at the intersection of Fenkell Ave. and Wyoming Ave. The victim was walking towards his Dodge Magnum, which was parked in front of the gas station, when a man with a gun ambushed him. The victim was held at gunpoint, threw his keys on the ground, and backed away. The carjacker grabbed the keys off of the ground and took off with the victim's motor vehicle.

Shortly after the incident, the Highland Park police found the vehicle at the intersection of West Grand Blvd. and Woodward Ave. Four men were seen inside the car, and were then seen fleeing the vehicle and running from the police. Below you can find video footage of the carjacking.

According to Global Security Experts, 38,000 carjackings occur per year in the United States, and a weapon is used in the carjacking 74 percent of the time. Each year, there are about 15 murders related to carjacking. In addition to this, 63 percent of carjackings occur within 5 miles of the victim's home. According to the Detroit Free Press, in 2013, there were 782 carjackings in Detroit, Michigan, and in 2014, there were 545. Out of the carjackings this year so far in Detroit, 51 percent of them were between 9 pm. And 3.am., and 15 percent of them occurred at gas stations, like this one.

If you have been injured in a car accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers are available 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.

Investigation on Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs

On Friday, June 5, 2015, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it is currently investigating 20,000 new Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs for problems with automatic braking systems. According to the Detroit News, this investigation is taking place due to nine reports of problems with the safety feature in the 2014 SUVs, that's designed to prevent rear-end auto accidents. The NHTSA says Jeep owners have reported issues of random alerts from the braking system, followed by improper automatic breaking.  This means that Michigan drivers may find themselves driving and the car may stop on its own in certain circumstances. 

"28% of all car crashes are rear-end collisions" - NHTSA

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So far, no reports have involved car accidents. Two complaints from owners are related to rapid increase in break force and anti-lock braking system activation. According to one Jeep SUV owner, in his complaint to the NHTSA, he said that the SUV keeps giving him a message to “clean the lens” but says that lens is not dirty or obstructed. The NHTSA says that they see a repeating pattern with Fiat Chrysler and issues like failing to respond fast enough to safety issues, recall enough vehicles, and notify owners in a timely fashion.

In 2012, the NHTSA conducted a study and reported that around 28% of all car crashes are rear-end collisions. The forward collision warning feature on vehicles can be extremely beneficial. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that forward collision warning can prevent 879 fatal crashes annually for passenger vehicles, and 115 fatal crashes annually for large trucks.

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 specialize in 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.

Detecting Concussions After An Accident

The force of any blow to the head can cause the brain to shake inside the skull, smashing up against the inner walls, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. According to the Brain Decoder, traumatic brain injury is a diagnosis that more than 2 million Americans receive each year. The most common type of TMI is a concussion. Concussions have many symptoms including headaches, nausea, confusion, blurry vision, and problems with concentration, memory, balance, and many more. Despite knowing all of these symptoms, what happens during a concussion inside the brain is extremely complex, and not entirely understood by science.

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Even if one doesn't receive a blow to the head, it is still possible to experience concussion symptoms due to oxygen deprivation in the brain. A lot of concussion symptoms may not be due to brain damage, but rather resulting from neck or muscle spasms, ear problems, or bone pain from the skull. Neurosurgeon Dr. Uzma Samadani MD, co-director of the NYU Cohen Veterans Center, stated that, “in fact, our research suggests that the vast majority of people who are hit in the head and have some concussion symptoms actually do not have brain damage per se.” Samadani explained that injuries that do not involve brain damage can still be problems.  Brain Decoder reported:

 

"I think it is extremely important to be able to detect and quantify concussion because without objectively being able to do that, we cannot begin to treat the problem," Samadani said. "Right now we still have people who get hit in the head and have problems for months and even years and we don't see a problem on conventional radiographic imaging so they are not getting treated. People's lives can be ruined socially and economically because they can have a lasting problem that impairs their functioning. While most people who are hit in the head will recover very quickly, we need to be able to identify and help those who do not."

There is no definitive definition for a concussion, therefore making it difficult to diagnose or it, or even calculate how often it happens. Neurosurgery doctor, Dr. Samadani and her team made an estimate that between 4 million and 7 million people receive CT scans for concussions. However, she also explained that a lot of times, CT scans, along with MRIs, often miss concussions. Many research programs including the National Institutes of Health, the National Football League, and Samadani's team, are currently working on methods and technologies used for detecting concussions.

Along with sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents are one of the major causes of concussions. If you receive a concussion in an accident or have been injured in any type of car or motorcycle crash, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys are highly skilled in handling all types of auto accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

Semi-Truck Tires Kill Two People In Car Crash

On Saturday, May 30, two Illinois residents were killed, after a set of tires on a semi-truck came loose on the I-94 near Portage, Michigan, striking a car with three people inside. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Portage Department of Public Safety said that the car’s 67 –year-old backseat passenger Rebecca Avery died at the scene of the crash, as well as the 34-year-old driver, who died shortly after the auto accident at a hospital Sunday morning. The third passenger in the car suffered what was described as non-life-threatening injuries.

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Investigators say that the driver was heading east on the I-94 when the car was struck by semi-truck’s wheel and tire assembly, which was traveling in the opposite direction. The semi-truck was traveling westbound on the I-94 when 2 of the truck’s tires burst and went over the median into the eastbound lanes. After the accident, the freeway was shut down for four hours. Authorities say that the crash is still under investigation.

Truck accidents happen every year in the United States, and they cause injuries to thousands of drivers, in addition to causing many deaths. According to Legal Info,  around 500,000 trucking accidents occur per year in the United States, and approximately 5,000 of these crashes result in fatalities.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a semi-truck, or any other type of car crash, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced auto accident lawyers are ready to help victims of car crashes deal with insurance companies, pay for medical bills, and easing your road to recovery. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM or click here for a free consultation.  

Detroit Police Rescue Two Men From Car Crash

On Monday, June 8, 2015, six Detroit, MI police officers rescued two men from a burning vehicle. According to the Detroit Free Press, it was around 7:30 p.m. when officers on patrol saw a Chevrolet Impala speeding, and activated their overhead lights to try and stop the car. The driver of the Chevy ended up hitting the median near the intersection of  Mound Road and McNichols  Road, then lost control and struck a tree. Police told the Detroit Free Press, that on impact, the car immediately burst into flames. DPD Officers Smith and Monti were first on the scene, who began to try and remove the men from the vehicle, one of them being over 400 pounds.

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It ended up taking 6 Detroit Police Department officers to safely rescue the two men from the crash. Reports indicate that the driver went was experiencing extreme pain, as his feet were wedged under the floorboard, and after he was extracted from the car he was taken by EMS to the hospital. Police have not released either the driver or the passenger’s name, but they believe the driver will likely face a criminal lawsuit for fleeing and eluding the police in addition to any personal injury lawsuits.

The two men involved in this car crash were extremely lucky, as a car bursting up in flames can be very dangerous. According to the Association For Safe International Road Travel, in the United States, each year 37,000 die in motor vehicle accidents, and in addition to this, 2.35 million are injured or disabled. The two men involved in the accident faced an extreme risk, and the Detroit police officers also put their lives on the line despite knowing that the car might have exploded.

Whether you have been injured in a minor car accident or a severe car accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our experienced accident attorneys will deal with insurance companies, ensure that you receive all the benefits you are entitled to and, help you ultimately focus on recovering from your injuries. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Mazda Recalls More Vehicles

In 2010, Mazda recalled around 330,000 cars in the United States in order to fix problems with the cars' airbags. According to CBS Detroit, Mazda is now adding to that number, recalling nearly 540,000 more cars and pickup trucks in the US and Canada. On Friday, June 5, 2015, Mazda said in documents posted by the US and Canadian safety regulators, that it is recalling 503,000 cars because of defective driver's side airbags, and 35,000 pickup trucks for an issue with passenger airbags.

Car Recall Attorney

These vehicles are all equipped with airbag inflators made by Takata Corp. of Japan. As we've previously reported, it has been reported that these airbags can explode when too much force is applied. So far, six people have been killed due to faulty airbags and over 100 people have been injured. Car models with the faulty driver’s air bags are the 2003-2008 Mazda 6, 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed 6, and the 2004 to 2008 RX-8. The pickup trucks that the company is recalling for passenger side airbags are the 2003-2008 B-Series. 

Last month, Takata and the US government agreed to double the number of inflators it recalled to 33.8 million. According to the agency, this increase made it the largest auto recall in US history. It’s frequent for cars to have issues such as broken airbags, and these problems can potentially cause accidents, which can lead to death or injury.

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Motor vehicle accidents can lead to legal problems, whether it be a car, motorcycle, or bus accident, we're here to help. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of auto accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

Michigan Driver's Cell Phone Usage Banned For Distracted Driving

Last fall, just north of Lansing, Michigan, a 23-year-old woman named Mitzi Nelson crashed into and killed a 35-year-old bicyclist named Jill Byelich. On Wednesday, June 3, 2015, there was a sentencing hearing for Mitzi Nelson, during which she was put on probation and told that she is banned from using a cell phone for the next two years. According to CBS Detroit, Judge Stewart McDonald told Mitzi Nelson that, “having a cell phone is a privilege, not a right.” The ban given to Mitzi Nelson isn’t just for cell phones however, it also applies to any portable communication device.

Distracted Driving Lawyer

In addition to the cell phone ban, Judge McDonald sentenced Nelson to 90 days in jail and 150 hours of community service. He also ordered her to speak to 20 driver’s education classes about the dangers of distracted driving and to pay $17,100 in restitution and fines. As reported by the Lansing State Journal, Nelson will serve the first 30 days of her jail sentence immediately, another 30 days in the spring, and the rest of her sentence over four holiday periods.

Distracted driving is a danger that should be taken very seriously. According to the Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving, in 2013, 3154 people were killed and around 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted driving. In addition to this, they reported that 10% of drivers under the age of 20, who were involved in fatal crashes, were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.

If you have been injured in a car crash because of distracted driving, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers are experienced in dealing with all types of auto accidents, and are always available to help you with questions about insurance problems, medical expenses, and pain and suffering benefits under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Common Courtesy On The Road

Using common courtesy on the road can potentially help prevent road rage and ultimately save lives. Common courtesy is a set of rules that aren’t written down by law. However, despite not being the law, following this driving etiquette can make the roads simpler and safer for everyone. Due to these rules not being part of the law, not all drivers follow the etiquette, which can lead to all types of auto accidents.

Common Courtesy Lawyer

According to the US Air Force, there are eight basic common courtesy rules that can be used in order to possibly reduce stress, and increase your chances of arriving at your destination safely. One of the first common courtesy rules is not driving in the passing lane. When you’re on a freeway or highway, the left lane is for passing. You should use the lane to pass a slower vehicle, and then return to your original lane. According to Deadline Detroit, since 2012, the Michigan State Police have issued 60,90 tickets for improper lane use, with around 763 already being issued in 2015. It is also important to not use cruise control when passing a vehicle. Pass other vehicles relatively quickly, as passing slowly can be just as obstructive as driving in the left lane at all times.

Another common courtesy rule involves keeping a safe distance from the car ahead of you. Tailgating is considered poor driving etiquette. On top of this, tailgating also reduces your reaction time and can cause an accident if you need to break quickly. In addition to this, always signaling before changing lanes can make a huge impact and potentially reduce the number of car crashes.

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in dealing with all types of auto accident cases. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.

Home Physical Therapy Proves To Be Effective

Spending time at the hospital after an operation can be emotionally, physically, and financially draining. Recently, the argument has been raised that patients might recover at home just as well. According to Daily RX, a new study looked at patients after knee replacement surgery, and the end results found that patients who were sent home did about as well as patients did that went to an inpatient rehabilitation program.  These types of injuries and treatment oftentimes are the result of an auto accident or a slip and fall accident. 

Physical Therapy Lawyer

After a knee replacement operation, patients usually stay in the hospital for multiple days in order to receive care and physical therapy. Dr. Padgett, of the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, NY along with his team, decided to conduct a study to see how doing physical therapy at home might affect patients. In order to do this study, Dr. Padgett looked at over 7,000 patients who had knee replacement surgery at HSS between the years of 2007 and 2011. These patients took surveys before, six months after, and two years later, and these results were compared with patients who went home and patients who stayed in the hospital after the operation.

After six months, Dr. Padgett and his team compared the results of the two groups and found no differences between the sets of patients. After this, they compared the groups after two years, and again, found extremely similar results when looked at factors such as pain level and knee function. “This study confirms that patients may be safely and effectively discharged home following [total knee replacement] dispelling the notion that inpatient rehabilitation is essential for successful recovery," Dr. Padgett and team wrote.

At The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC, we offer free consultations to those who have been injured in accidents.  If you are unsure about who will pay for your physical therapy or other medical treatment, give us a call.  Our accident lawyers work hard to recover any and all available monetary benefits under Michigan law.  Contact us today at 844.4MI.FIRM.