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Biomechanical Experts & Truck Accident Cases

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.

Police Officer Killed in DeWitt Accident

I just read a tragic story online about a Clinton County Sheriff’s Deputy who died on his way to work.  The officer (whose name I will not publish) was riding his motorcycle to work and apparently struck a deer, causing him to be thrown from his bike.  Several tractor trailers were able to avoid him on the roadway but a third did not, causing his death.

My sincerest sympathies and condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.  Simply put this is a devastating loss.

There are unique laws relating to motorcycle accidents in Michigan.  Had the officer died without contact from the truck and just from the deer, he would not have been entitled to Michigan No-Fault Insurance benefits.  Because his fatal injuries were apparently caused by the truck, his family would then likely be entitled to Survivor’s Loss benefits.  This includes lost wages, funeral expenses, household service payments, and other benefits.

If the truck driver should have reasonably avoided the accident, as did the two trucks in front of him, the officer’s family may be able to pursue a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and trucking company.  Much of this will depend on the results of the State Police Investigation.