Lansing Personal Injury Lawyer - accident

Tractor-Trailer Accidents are Serious Highway Safety Concerns

David Mittleman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:57:16 GMT

Any discussion of traffic safety has to take into account Tractor-Trailer Accidents. One in eight fatalities on our nation's highways involves a large truck or "semi" truck. Half a million accidents each year involve tractor-trailers in the United States. 5,000 people die a year from these accidents. 140,000 people survive but suffer from injuries, ranging from serious brain injury to loss of limbs.

One of the major factors which can compromise tractor trailer safety is truck driver fatigue. The nature of truck transportation often requires covering long distances over long periods of time. Tractor trailer safety studies have indicated that fatigue is responsible for tractor trailer accidents thirty to forty percent of the time.

Tractor-trailer companies are required to carry a minimum level of insurance. They are also required to properly maintain all tractor trailers and equipment to sustain tractor trailer safety. Trucks are required to stop at weight stations to ensure that they are in compliance with weight limitations. Hours of Service logs are often checked at this time as well. Local and state law enforcement also plays an integral role in tractor trailer safety and will conduct random stops and inspections.

Despite tractor trailer safety measures, accidents still can and do occur and violations of tractor trailer safety laws are also made. A 1997 study found that in a random given week of inspections at least 9000 tractor trailer safety violations were committed. When tractor trailer safety is breeched, serious accidents can result.

Our firm has successfully handled cases involving injuries sustained during a tractor-trailer accident. If you have injured in such an accident, do not hesitate to contact our office, ChurchWyble, at (888) 227-4770.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Motorcycle Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

David Mittleman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:54:31 GMT

Motorcycle accidents can be fatal. But just as likely, motorcycle accidents lead to serious, permanent, and debilitating injuries. The leading type of injury sustained in a motorcycle accident is a head injury.

Some important information that could help limit your exposure to serious injury while riding a motorcycle includes: wearing a helmet, reducing your speed around curves, avoiding alcohol consumption before riding the motorcycle, riding during the daytime, and avoiding speeding.

Statistics fluctuate with motorcycle accidents over periods of years. Ultimately, what doesn't change is the fact that an injury sustained while riding a motorcycle can be devastating. In 1998 alone, a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded that 500 lives were saved by the use of a helmet, and another 307 could have been saved by riders killed in motorcylce accidents had they worn a helmet.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, feel free to contact our office, ChurchWyble, P.C. at (888) 227-4770 to discuss your situation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

I-94 Rollover Crash Kills One, Injures Three

Devon Glass — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:12:28 GMT

A high-speed, single-vehicle accident on I-94 in Van Buren Township, Michigan, has claimed the life of one man and seriously injured three other people. The crash, which happened early Monday morning, occurred when a sport utility vehicle carrying the four occupants veered off the highway and flipped multiple times.

The violent rollover accident resulted in the ejection of three of the victims. The SUV then landed on one man who was thrown from the vehicle, causing fatal injuries. No one in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt. Authorities believe alcohol may have played a role in the accident.

There are many things you cannot control on the roadway - the weather, road conditions, and the behavior of other drivers, to name a few. However, you can take steps to keep yourself safe. Always wear a seat belt and obey traffic laws. Never drink and drive, and do not accept a ride from someone who has been drinking.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Man Accused of Killing Lansing Area Woman and Son While Driving Drunk Fit to Stand Trial

Devon Glass — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Following up on one of our previous stories, Daniel Burwell is fit to stand trial according to competency tests conducted at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry, near Ypsilanti. Ingham County Circuit Court Judge William Collette said that the examiners at the Center concluded that Mr. Burwell was only pretending to hallucinate and hear voices.

Mr. Burwell faces charges in relation to a deadly motor vehicle accident that took place on April 20, 2009 in south Lansing. He was charged with two counts of second-degree murder after his blood alcohol contest registered at 0.18 three hours after the deadly collision. According to authorities, Mr. Burwell drove drunk through a red light at 60 miles per hour when he crashed into a vehicle carrying 46-year-old Sylvia Porter and her 17-year-old son Major Washington.

Just yesterday I blogged about an MSU student whose life was cut short by someone who is now charged with driving while intoxicated causing death. Driving while intoxicated can take the life of an innocent person in seconds, so please be careful and drive responsibly by not drinking before you drive.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Another MSU Student Dies in Car Crash

Devon Glass — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:29:09 GMT

Michigan State University students are mourning the loss of another classmate after she was involved in a fatal car accident on October 20, 2009. Felisa Estella Rosa Barnes, 19, a communications sophomore, was traveling southbound on US-23 on her way home to Erie, Michigan, when at about 7:30 p.m. she lost control over her 1999 Grand Prix after sideswiping a semi-tractor trailer. The Grand Prix crossed the median, overturned airborne several times, entered the northbound lanes, and finally landed on top of a 1995 Chrysler Concord seriously injuring the19 year old driver from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Both drivers were trapped in their vehicles and had to be extricated by firefighters - Barnes was pronunced dead at the scene and the male driver of the Concord was airlifted to the University of Michigan Hospital where he is expected to survive. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.

According to the Monroe News and the State News, Barnes was a 2008 Erie-Mason High School graduate and 2007 homecoming queen. She was involved in numerous activities including cheerleading, volunteering, student council, volleyball, track, and cross country. She also had hopes of participating in MSU’s Alternative Spring Break program, a service opportunity for students to use their breaks volunteering. Friends and family members are shocked and devastated over their loss and invite people who knew Felisa in any way to attend her funeral. Arrangements have been made and her showing is at Pawlak Funeral Home, 1620 Smith Road, Temperance, MI 48182 this Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 2-9pm. The service will be in the Erie-Mason High School Gymnasium this Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 3pm.

An investigation as to what caused the crash is still ongoing. The accident occurred in Green Oak, between Silver Road and Lee Road - a stretch of the road where there are no barriers protecting cars from crossing the median. One can’t help but wonder whether a median barrier would have saved Felisa’s life and prevented the driver of the Concord from being involved. Although it remains yet to be seen exactly why Felisa lost control over her car, some people believe she may have been texting and driving. Regardless, this is just another tragic reminder of the dangers associated with driving and just how valuable life can be.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

MSU Student Killed in Grand Rapids-Area Car Crash

Devon Glass — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:36:57 GMT

Jeremy Sobczak-Obetts was, by all accounts, a hard-working and humorous individual with a bright future. A senior at Michigan State University, he had hoped to graduate with a degree in food service management. According to friends and family, Jeremy had a wealth of natural talent and exhibited a knack for succeeding in everything he tried.

Tragically, a car crash in Ada Township this weekend cut Jeremy's young life short. The single-vehicle accident, which occurred early Saturday morning, was caused when the SUV in which Jeremy was traveling slid off the road and struck a tree at high speed. The vehicle suffered catastrophic damage, although the driver sustained only minor injuries. Authorities believe alcohol and high speed were factors in the crash.

Jeremy's life may have ended Saturday morning, but his story is far from over. His grieving family members have spoken out to the media about the perils of drunk driving. Andrew Tittle, the driver of the SUV and a friend and neighbor of the Sobczak-Obetts family, has been formally charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death. Reports indicate that Tittle's blood-alcohol level was .22, nearly three times Michigan's legal limit of .08.

Jeremy's story is another horrific example of the consequences of drunk driving. Never drink and drive, and do not accept a ride from anyone you suspect to be drinking. Be smart, play it safe, and arrive alive.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Driver Killed In 4 Car Pile Up After Running Red Light

Devon Glass — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:26:50 GMT

It happens every day in a driver's life. They approach an intersection when they see the light turn from green to yellow. In the back of their mind, they know they are too far away from the intersection to make it through safely before it turns red. In the next split second, you could decide that a two to three minute wait is an acceptable delay on your travels, or you could risk your life and the lives of others by speeding up to run through a red light.

A 48-year-old woman died as a result of running through a red light in Redford Township Monday afternoon. Her 1998 Ford Taurus collided into two vehicles as she drove through a red light at Plymouth and Beech Daly. A fourth vehicle then collided with the other two vehicles involved in the pile-up. Michigan State Police were investigating the crash and alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor. Two other drivers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

In the United States in 2007, almost 900 people were killed and another 153,000 were injured by motorists who ran a red light. When coming up to a yellow light only go through if you have no other option, this will help keep everyone on the road safe.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Car Crash Claims Life of Southgate Woman

David Mittleman — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:26:11 GMT

Eighty-four-year-old Norma Otterstetter of Southgate, Michigan, was killed along with three Toledo-area women in a tragic accident in northern Oklahoma. The crash occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday on Highway 11 in Osage County.

According to reports, the van in which the four women were traveling was struck head-on by a pickup truck. The driver of the pickup had evidently fallen asleep at the wheel. The van was subsequently struck from behind by another pickup. The other three victims were Christine Fulghum, 69, and Martha Jacobs and Lavonne Gantt, both 85. No other injuries were reported.

This terrible accident is an unfortunate reminder of the dangers of "drowsy driving." If you are too tired to drive safely, or you suspect that another driver is too tired, find a safe place to stop and rest.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

High Speed a Factor in Brighton-Area Motorcycle Crash

Devon Glass — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:53:29 GMT

A Hartland Township man was thrown from his motorcycle early last week, landing nearly 200 feet away and suffering serious injuries. The man, whose name was not released, was traveling southbound on US-23 near Brighton, Michigan, when he lost control of his 1994 Harley-Davidson. According to reports, the force of the impact flung the man all the way to the western shoulder of nearby Old US 23, some 190 feet away.

Emergency personnel from several jurisdictions responded to the crash, including the Livingston County Sheriff's Department, the Fenton Township fire department, Livingston County EMS, and the Michigan State Police. Investigators believe high speed was a key factor in the accident.

The driver sustained numerous serious injuries. He was transported to the University of Michigan Hospital for treatment. It appears that the man was wearing a helmet, as required by Michigan law.

Motorcycles can be a safe and enjoyable form of transportation if they are used responsibly. If you drive a motorcycle, always wear a helmet and avoid excessive speed.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Elderly Driver Dies In Fatal Mid-Day Collision Near Frandor Shopping Center

Devon Glass — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:20:21 GMT

A fatal accident can occur at any time of the day, not just during rush hour or in the still of the night. 82-year-old Calvin Drake from Morrice, died last week from injuries sustained during an accident that took place around 1:30 p.m., Monday, October 5, near the Frandor Shopping Center.

Mr. Drake was transporting two passengers when he was traveling west on H.A. Sellers Avenue when his vehicle collided with another vehicle traveling north on North Homer Street. Lansing Police were still investigating the crash as of late last week, but alcohol was not a factor in this mid-day crash.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass