I read a tragic story  in the paper yesterday about an Allegan County Tractor-Trailer Accident on I-94 in Casco Township. According to the State Police, a tractor-trailer allegedly slammed into three vehicles that were merging to one lane before a construction zone killing at least one of passengers in a minivan and seriously injuring the other. Additionally, a 48-year-old Attica man is in critical condition with serious injuries at a local hospital.  Police continue to investigate this tragic accident.

I   am very sorry to hear about this tragic accident and offer the family of the deceased victim my most heart-felt condolences. I hope that the injured parties have a full and speedy recovery and suffer no permanent injuries as a result of this tragic accident.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

I read a story today about a serious Wexford County Construction Zone Truck Accident that occurred on US-131 just south of Cadillac. According to the Michigan State Police, a road construction worker was seriously injured when a box truck allegedly rammed into his truck in a construction zone.

State Police state that the box truck driver allegedly did not see a convoy of construction workers painting the lines on the roadway. The worker was taken to the hospital with a possible head injury.

I am very sorry to hear about this accident and wish the worker the fullest and speediest recovery possible.

Michigan truck accident victims have a number of legal rights.  As this accident happened while he was working and involved a motor vehicle,  the road construction worker may be eligible to receive Michigan Workers Compensation benefits and Michigan No-Fault Benefits. These benefits are similar in that they would cover  his medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the accident. 

In addition, the injury victim may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver and the owner of the box truck. In this lawsuit, they could claim damages and compensation for the injuries suffered in the accident.  The insurance company for the negligent driver typically pays a settlement for this type of case. 

The road construction worker should speak with an experienced Michigan Accident Lawyer to determine which  benefits he is eligible to receive. Accident victims should not speak with an insurance adjuster for the negligent parties before consulting with an attorney.

 If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Biomechanical Experts

When representing victims in Michigan truck accident lawsuits, I face a number of “defenses” from the trucking companies.  First, the trucking company denies responsibility for the accident.  Second, the trucking company blames the victim for causing the accident. 

Next, the trucking company hires doctors and pays them a lot of money to say that the victim was not actually injured in the accident.  Often, to supoort this defense, they will hire a biomechanical  to provide “expert testimony” that the forces of a particular auto accident were incapable of causing significant injury to the occupants. 

Essentially, these so called biomechanical experts to argue to a jury that a particular plaintiff could not have been injured in a low impact and/or low property damage accident.  This new trend has emerged in numerous trial courts, not only in Michigan, but throughout the United States.  Most often, these experts appear in caseswhere the Plaintiff has sustained an injury to the neck or back (such as a herniated disc) or in cases involving a traumatic brain injury (closed head injury).

Many courts, including those in Michigan, have found that the opinions of these experts are not reliable and not based upon proper scientific analysis.  With proper preparation and cross-examination, many of these experts have been stricken by the courts and not permitted to testify at trial.  M firm has strongly and successfully fought to preclude this type of testimony from being introduced in auto accident cases.

Truck Jackknife Accidents

When a large semi-truck is involved in an accident, the effects can be especially devastating.  There are many different types of truck accidents and each one can lead to catastrophic injuries.  Simply put, a passenger vehicle stands little chance in an accident with a semi-tractor trailer.

One of the worst types of truck accidents, however, is a jackknife truck accident.  In a jackknife truck accident, the driver is usually in the process of turning the cab of the truck when the brakes freeze up and cause the tractor-trailer to continue forward.  This is very dangerous not only for the truck driver, but also for the cars around the truck, which may be hit by the tractor-trailer as it spins out of control.

There are two types of jackknife truck accidents.  Both are more likely to happen in rain or winter weather, but both can happen when road conditions and weather conditions are clear.

Classic Jackknife Truck Accident

A classic jackknife truck accident occurs when the tractor-trailer spins into the cab.  This usually happens because the driver suddenly applies the brakes instead of stopping gradually.  The drive axle then lock before one of the other sets of brakes.  A classic jackknife truck accident can take less than one second to occur, which means the accident is usually not preventable after the brakes have been applied.

Tandem Trailer Jackknife Truck Accident

A tandem trailer jackknife truck accident occurs when rear tandem brakes lock up before brakes on wheels located closer to the front of the truck.  This type of accident is normally slower to develop and may be preventable.

The possibility of a jackknife truck accident is one reason why drivers should give trucks extra space to stop and turn, especially during inclement weather.  The truck accident lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. can evaluate an accident victim’s legal rights if they are hurt in a jackknife truck accident.

Contact Our Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers

For more information on your legal rights after a Michigan truck accident, call our experienced lawyers at (800) 606-1717 and request our FREE BOOK, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook.”

1-800-606-1717

A Florida truck driver was awarded $14.6 million dollars by a jury in a truck accident lawsuit.  The truck driver was paralyzed in the accident when he swerved to avoid another vehicle and rolled his truck.   His 18 wheeler overturned in the accident.  His insurance company denied his medical benefits and he sued the company for uninsured motorists benefits.

I am very happy to hear about this great result against an insurance who improperly denied his benefits.  Many consider the driver to be hero because his actions saved the lives of other motorists.  I hope somehow this money can make his life easier and more enjoyable despite his life changing injuries.