Frank Edward Lawrence, 60 was killed in a Ottawa County truck accident after being hit by a semi-trailer on US 31 and Port Sheldon Road in Olive Township on Tuesday, April 13th.

According to Ottawa County Deputy Michael Wieringa, the semi hit the van Edward’s was driving, where Edward’s was projected from the vehicle and prounounced dead at the scene.  The 32 year old truck driver had no injuries but his 44 year old passenger, Andrew Sigers of Holland Township was taken to Holland hospital.

I am very sorry to hear about this tragic accident and wish my most heart-felt condolences to Edward’s family for their loss.

Our Michigan truck accident lawyers advise accident victims of their legal rights. For this type of auto accident in Michigan, the family members of the pedestrian may be able to make a claim for Survivor Loss Benefits. This can include payment of funeral expenses, lost wages, and loss of other services.

 In addition, the injured passenger may be able to file a lawsuit against the truck driver if he is found at fault as well as the owner of the semi-trailer.

The insurance company for the driver must still cover any injuries. In this lawsuit, the family of the deceased victim can claim damages and compensation for the injuries suffered in the accident. The insurance company for the negligent driver and the owner(s) of the truck typically pay a settlement for this type of case.

Also, the family members of the deceased pedestrian may have a claim for a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit against the driver that police determine was negligent and caused this accident as well as the owner(s) of the truck. At the very least, the surviving family should hire the best possible lawyer to look into these possibilities.

An experienced Michigan car accident lawyer can assist the victim with this type of claim. Accident victims should not speak with the insurance adjuster for the negligent driver before consulting with an attorney.

I read a tragic story today about a person killed and one injured in a fatal semi-truck accident on April 1st, 2010  in Oakland County. The truck accident took place on Grand River Avenue near Napier Road in Lyon Township, on the western edge of Detroit metro area and was between a car and a semi tractor trailer.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff officers, a 28 year old man was traveling east on Grand River Avenue with a passenger when he suddenly lost control of his vehicle. The driver crossed over the center line into the westbound lane where the truck driver swerved into the eastbound lanes to avoid the collision. When the truck driver swerved to avoid the car, the driver of the car moved back into the correct lane crashing into the semi truck trailer’s back axle.

The driver sustained serious injuries and the passenger of the vehicle was prounounced dead at the scene.  I am very sorry to hear about this tragic accident and wish my most heart-felt condolences to the family of the passenger for their loss.

Our Michigan truck accident lawyers advise accident victims of their legal rights. For this type of  truck-caraccident in Michigan, the family members of the passenger may be able to make a claim for Survivor Loss Benefits. This can include payment of funeral expenses, lost wages, and loss of other services.

Also, the family members of the deceased passenger may have a claim for a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit against the driver that police determine was negligent and caused this accident as well as the owner(s) of the truck. At the very least, the surviving family should hire the best possible lawyer to look into these possibilities.

An experienced Michigan car accident lawyer can assist the victim with this type of claim. Accident victims should not speak with the insurance adjuster for the negligent driver before consulting with an attorney.

A tragic story was reported about a garbage truck accident that killed an elderly man walking a bicycle.  Police are still investigating and seeking witnesses to the accident.  My thoughts and condolences go out to the victim’s family and friends.

Garbage truck accidents are much more common that most people might think.  The large trucks are on the roadways for long periods and have constant stops and starts.  Quite often, the driver is paying attention to the garbage or the actions of his partner and takes his eyes off the roadway.  This can and does have deadly results, like the accident above.

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.

One of the biggest contributing factors to large truck accidents is truck driver fatigue.  This is often due to excessive hours on the road, lack of sleep, and other medical conditions that cause fatigue  The results of this fatigue are often catastrophic.

In a Mississipi truck accident, a truck driver reportedly dozed off while driving an 18 wheeler and rear-ended a van, killing a family of four in the van.  It occurred while the van was waiting at a red light and the truck plowed into the back of it.  The truck was owned by JNJ Express.  Police are still investigating the truck accident.

My condolences go out to surviving family members of these victims.  This is a terrible tragedy that should have never happened.

The surviving family members do have legal rights and can file a Wrongful Death Lawsuit.  I do not practice law in Mississipi but I suggest that the family hire the best possible truck accident lawyer.  It is essential to choose an attorney that specializes in truck accident cases so that all necessary evidence can be preserved and all possible avenues of settlement be explored.