In fact, on many occasions, an injury victim can receive these benefits even if he or she did not own a car or have their own auto insurance policy.  This is especially true in injuries to vehicle passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.  The type of benefits are significant and include payment of medical expenses, regardless of the amount or how long they last.  This includes hospitalizations, surgeries, physical therapy, and even prescription expenses.

Other benefits include household service benefits, service attendant care benefits, and wage loss benefits.  A persona disabled from work due to the accident can recover up to three years of lost wages after the accident at 85% of the wages.  Injury victims who are seasonal employees or were not working but still actively seeking employment can still receive wage loss benefits.

There are very specific time deadlines for filing claims and it is important to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after the accident so that you do not lose out on benefits.  For more information on your rights after a Michigan car accident, you should request our FREE BOOK, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” and call us at (800) 606-1717.

In all cases,

As Michigan accident and injury lawyers, we often represent family members of a person who died or was killed as a result of the negligence of another person, corporation, or other entity.   A case seeking damages for the loss of a family members is  filed as a Michigan Wrongful Death Lawsuit.

A Michigan wrongful death lawsuit asserts that the victim was killed or died as a result of the negligence of an individual, city, business, or doctor/hospital.  If this can be proven, the victim’s relatives are entitled to money damages resulting from the death. These damages include loss of earnings, loss of services, loss of society and companionship, and other types of damages.

In a wrongful death case, the family member has a Personal Representative appointed who hires a lawyer to bring the lawsuit on behalf of the family.  If the family cannot agree on who should be appointed, the probate court judge makes the decision.  When the lawsuit settles, all family members have the opportunity to agree to the manner in which the settlement money will be shared amongst themselves, but if they cannot do so, the court makes the final determination.

It is important to hire an attorney who specializes in Michigan Wrongful Death Lawsuits.  The laws for these cases are complex and technical and the failure to specifically follow those requirements can destroy your case.

We represent individuals injured in Ann Arbor area car accidents.  These include cases for auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, moped accidents, pedestrian accidents, bus accidents, and hit and run accidents.  We also handle cases throughout Washtenaw County. 

For virtually all car accidents in Ann Arbor, a police report (UD-10 report) is completed by the investigating police department.  This is true for both injury accident cases and property damage cases.  For each of these cases, it is necessary to obtain a copy of the traffic crash report to file an insurance claim.

 Ann Arbor Car Accident Police Reports

These reports are available to you by through the investigating police agency.  For reports completed by City of Ann Arbor Police, you can obtain the report at the below address.  There is usually a small fee for the report.   

Ann Arbor Police Department

100 N. Fifth Ave.

Ann Arbor, MI 48107

(734)-994-2871

 If your accident was investigated by the Michigan State Police, you need to request the report directly from that agency.  You can download the Michigan State Police form here that you must complete and submit to obtain the Michigan State Police report. 

FREE CAR ACCIDENT BOOK

 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. 

quickly.

I just came across a tragic news story regarding a Lenawee County drunk driving accident that took the life of a fifty-one year old woman.  According to the report, Judith Ekquist of Clinton Township, was standing in her son’s driveway when a vehicle driven by Anthony Kolbus of Tecumseh left the roadway and struck them both.  Ms. Ekquist suffered fatal injuries and her son was also injured.

What was planned to be an innocent summer walk turned into a tragedy because of a drunk driver. My thoughts and condolences go out to this family.  I certainly hope that her son has a quick and speedy recovery.  Mr. Kolbus was arraigned on criminal charges and is awaiting his preliminary examination.  He is apparently free on bond until the next proceeding, which is probably most disturbing to the family.  The issue of bond can be addressed by the court at a later time.

In addition to the criminal charges, there are also civil claims that can be brought by the accident victims and their families.  The victims are entitled to receive Michigan No-Fault Insurance benefits to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and other benefits.  These claims are typically made against their own auto insurance policy.  For a complete explanation of these benefits, read our book “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook.”

Further, the family can make civil claims against the drunk driver and possibly the person or establishment that served him alcohol prior to the accident.  This could give rise to a Wrongful Death lawsuit.  There are strict deadlines for these claims so it is essential to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.