Riding a bicycle in Ann Arbor is quite common, for both exercise and commuting to work and class. However, some obstacles on the road such as potholes, uneven portions of cement, and even rudely patched potholes with loose gravel can prove to be quite hazardous.  These hazards can cause a bicyclist to lose control of the bike and fall to the pavement.  The injuries from bicycle falls and accidents are often very serious.

The government is responsible for maintaining roadways in reasonable repair. Michigan has several statutes that relate to a governmental agency’s duty to properly maintain roadways. A bicyclist injured due to a defective road condition or pothole can file a claim against the government agency for accident related injuries.

MCL 691.1402 says in pertinent part “. . . each Governmental agency having jurisdiction over highways, shall maintain the highway in reasonable repair so that it is reasonably safe and convenient for public travel. A person who sustains bodily injury or damage to his or her property by reason of failure of a Governmental agency to keep a highway under its jurisdiction and reasonable repair and in condition reasonably safe and fit for travel, must recover the damages suffered by him or her from the Governmental agency.”

To assert this type of claim, the injured bicyclist is required by law to provide written notice to the government agency responsible for maintaining the roadway where the injury occurred. The written notice must be served within 120 days of the injury, with very few exceptions, or the claim will be forever barred.  The notice must include the date of the injury, the precise location of the injury, the nature of the defect, and the names of any known witnesses.

In the event that a bicyclist is injured due to a road defect in Ann Arbor, it is essential that an experienced Michigan bicycle accident lawyer be contacted as soon as possible after the accident.  This will insure that the matter is properly investigated and the required notice be sent to the governing agency to preserve the claim. 

Our bicycle accident Buckfire lawyers will interview witnesses, take photographs and measurements of the defective condition, and obtain government records of road repairs in the area of the accident.  Without this prompt and detailed investigation, it may be later impossible to prove and win your claim.  Time is of the essence for preserving these claims.

If you or someone you know sustained serious injuries due to a bicycle accident involving a pothole, contact an attorney immediately to learn your legal rights. The experienced lawyers of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. handle these types of cases every day and represent clients under our NO FEE promise. Call our office today at (800) 606-1717 for a free consultation with one of our top-rated Buckfire lawyers.

Our Ann Arbor medical malpractice lawyers assist victims of malpractice in suing hospitals that have been negligent and committed serious errors while treating patients. Hospital errors are not uncommon, as they attribute to 225,000 deaths per year. However, the number may even be larger than that, as 80 percent of hospital errors go unreported by hospital employees, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Hospital errors are a form of medical malpractice and when a patient is injured or dies due to errors in a Michigan hospital, it gives rise to a Michigan lawsuit against a hospital. Some of the most common hospital errors include:

• Wrongful Death
• Misdiagnosed cancer (lung cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer)
• Birth Injuries/Cerebral Palsy and shoulder dystocia
• Misread x-rays and pap smears
• Emergency room error
• Medication error
• Surgical error
• Anesthesia error
• Severe Bedsores
• Hospital-based infections

Research done by HHS also found that most hospitals where errors were reported rarely changed their policies, and practices to prevent repeated errors. Policies need to be in place to ensure that this does not happen. Medical errors can be prevented.

We can help you if you believe that you or a family member was the victim of medical malpractice in Ann Arbor. The negligent hospital may be liable for significant damages for the failure to provide appropriate treatment, especially when the injuries and damages caused by the improper treatment are substantial. Our skilled Ann Arbor medical malpractice lawyers handle all types of hospital error cases against hospitals and their staff members, including doctors, surgeons, and nurses.

If you or a loved one is a victim of medical malpractice, you should contact an attorney immediately to assist you in your attempt to sue the negligent hospital. The experienced lawyers of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. represent clients under a NO FEE promise and win the highest possible settlements. Contact our office at (800) 606-1717 for a free consultation with one of our top-rated medical malpractice lawyers.

Suing someone or an insurance company following a motorcycle accident can tend to be quite complicated. This is why it is important to have a top-rated lawyer assist you after sustaining injuries due to a motorcycle crash. The skilled lawyers of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. have represented victims of motorcycle accidents for years and winning clients the highest possible settlements.

According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts for 2008, one out of every 10,208 persons in Michigan was killed in a traffic crash; one out of every 134 persons was injured. Victims of motorcycle accidents and their family members do have legal rights to sue the at-fault driver in the event that they are indeed the at-fault driver and you have sustained a “serious” injury due to the crash.

In order to file a successful Ann Arbor motorcycle accident lawsuit one must have sustained a serious injury due to the car accident. Some serious injuries include but are not limited to:

• Fractured and broken bones
• Back and neck injuries, like herniated and bulging discs
• Nerve damage
• Injuries that require surgery or substantial treatment
• Closed head and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Knee injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Road rash requiring significant skin grafts
• Burn injuries
• Amputation injuries
• Psychological injuries, like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Injuries which cause disability from work and other daily activities

In order to have an Ann Arbor motorcycle accident injury case one must be able to prove that the other driver is the at-fault driver in the accident and that you sustained a serious injury due to the crash. The process for this kind of lawsuit is complex and requires an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Ann Arbor motorcycle accident, you should contact an attorney immediately to learn your rights. The experienced motorcycle accident lawyers of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. handle these types of cases frequently and represent clients under our NO FEE promise. Call our office today at (800) 606-1717 for a free consultation with one of our top rated Ann Arbor motorcycle accident attorneys.