Michigan Injury Lawyer Blog

March 22, 2023

Toxic Ohio train-derailment waste dumped in metro Detroit

Smoke_from_the_2023_Ohio_train_derailment_taken_during_the_night_February_3_cropped-300x254 A Wayne County man has filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern Corp. for exposing communities in the Detroit area to “potential significant harm” when it transported and disposed of hazardous waste from last month’s Ohio train derailment to Wayne County facilities.

According to the lawsuit, the company endangered the community by not properly monitoring the toxic waste before it was dumped at the Republican Industrial and Energy Solutions facility in Romulus and the U.S. Ecology Wayne Disposal landfill in Belleville.

“The toxic and hazardous chemical material can contaminate groundwater, soil, and air, causing serious health risks and environmental damage,” the lawsuit alleges. “Without adequate safeguards and monitoring, the risk of harm will persist unabated.”

March 12, 2023

Four children injured in drunk-driving crash near Grand Rapids

by Neumann Law Group

drink-driving-ga209f03b2_1280-300x200 Four children were injured on Wednesday after the minivan they were riding in was involved in a hit-and-run crash in Leighton Township, 19 mi south of Grand Rapids. Three of the kids were treated for minor injuries and released the same day, but the fourth one sustained severe injuries and was placed in intensive care. The police noted that all children were properly restrained.

The accident was caused by the driver of a GMC pickup truck that ran a red light and crashed into the back of the Honda minivan. The pickup truck sped away, but the police were quick to locate the vehicle and its driver, a 53-year-old Wayland man. One of the officers noticed the man smelled of alcohol and other signs of intoxication. The man was arrested and once blood test results come in, police expect to charge him with OWI causing serious injury.

How to spot a drunk driver

March 8, 2023

Speeding drivers hit 3 Detroit police cruisers in 1 day

by Neumann Law Group

Detroit drivers don’t seem to understand that traveling at high speed in inclement weather is dangerous. Take, for instance, last Saturday, when Detroit roads were covered in snow. Local police officers were out doing their job despite the terrible weather. According to MSP, three police cruisers were struck by speeding drivers who lost control of their vehicles. Luckily, only one of the officers suffered minor injuries and was treated for back pain.

“Again, the best defense in snow, ice, and rain is to slow down,” said Lieutenant Mike Shaw, MSP Public Information Officer. “We all have to remember that weather does not cause crashes, drivers do.”

Michigan drivers must reduce speed in bad weather

March 2, 2023

Understanding how comparative negligence may affect your Lansing accident claim

by Neumann Law Group

Lansing, MI – A 43-year-old Mulliken man was killed earlier this month after crashing into a car driven by a 17-year-old girl in Eagle Township. However, according to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, neither of them was in fact responsible for the tragedy. The accident was caused by a 76-year-old Eagle drunk driver who escaped unscathed.

It seems that the drunk driver was negligent while making a turn in front of the car driven by Livingston Thompson, who was driving east on West State Road, approaching South Grange Road. Thompson was forced to swerve to avoid a crash. He crossed the center line and couldn’t avoid a head-on collision with the westbound car driven by the girl. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The teenage driver appeared unharmed, but she was taken to the ER by her mother as a precaution.

The old man was arrested for drunk driving and he may face vehicular manslaughter charges. Irrespective of that, the family of the deceased and the young girl will have to file civil claims to recover damages for the accident, and this is where comparative negligence comes in.

February 22, 2023

Michigan woman injured after car thief hits her truck at 100 mph

by Neumann Law Group

Detroit, MI – A 40-year-old woman was hospitalized after a suspect fleeing police hit her F-150 truck. The crash occurred Tuesday afternoon at Hall and Gratiot in Clinton Township. The impact was so violent it nearly caused Crystal Davenport’s truck to flip over.

It all started after Macomb County police officers noticed a Dodge Durango which had been reported stolen and tried to pursue it. The driver of the Durango hit the accelerator reaching 100 mph, and the police decided to stop pursuit to avoid an accident. However, the suspect did not slow down. He narrowly avoided hitting another car before blowing a red light and broadsiding Crystal. After the crash, the suspect ran on foot, but the officers finally caught up with him after half a mile, near Kensington Church.

The woman was taken to the hospital with neck and back pain. Witnesses said she was very lucky as the suspect did not broadside her truck on the driver’s side.

February 15, 2023

Hit-and-run driver charged with killing 6-year-old in Redford Township

by Neumann Law Group

bike-gde909c5c9_1280-300x169 Six months after their boy was killed while riding his bike, a Redford Township family is finally getting some sense of justice. Local police announced this week the driver who killed 6-year-old Chase Young has been charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious impairment or death and one count of habitual offender — fourth offense notice.

The tragedy happened on Aug. 10 in the area of Brady Road and Vassar Drive. Little Chase was hit by a blue 2023 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Korey Colt Thompson. Neighbors told police that two men had run away from the car after the crash, and neither of them stopped to check on the little boy. Young was flown to a nearby hospital in critical condition but died a few days later due to complications from his injuries.

Who is entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Michigan?

February 8, 2023

Jackknifed big rig causes multiple-vehicle crash on I-94

by Neumann Law Group

Detroit, MI – Several people were injured after a big rig jackknifed and caused a multiple-vehicle crash near Chelsea in Washtenaw County. According to local police, the trucker lost control of the vehicle due to snowy road conditions. This led to several secondary crashes involving another two semi-trucks and three passenger vehicles. Traffic on I-94 was closed for several hours with the police advising motorists to look for alternate routes.

Recovering damages after a multiple-vehicle crash is a nightmare as the liability of each driver needs to be assessed. The trucker that lost control of the big rig will bear most of the fault, but the insurance company will want to know if other drivers involved were somewhat negligent. Under Michigan’s comparative negligence laws, a driver’s damages will be reduced by a percentage corresponding to their share of the blame. To avoid an unpleasant situation, if you were involved in a multiple-vehicle crash make sure to contact a trustworthy Detroit car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

What are jackknife truck accidents?

February 2, 2023

2 dead in head-on crash outside Detroit

by Neumann Law Group

car-g277c7019a_1280-300x199 Two men lost their lives following a head-on crash in Macomb County on Monday. The accident happened near Mile 26, on North Avenue, which remained closed for several hours.

“It was like a bomb went off’,” one witness said. Two vehicles, a white GMC work van and a red Dodge Ram truck, collided on the two-lane highway, right where the speed limit changes from 55 to 45 miles an hour. Residents say no motorist ever slows down to 45 mph, which explains the high number of horrific accidents in the area.

Both drivers were killed on the spot, while a passenger in the Dodge was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

January 25, 2023

Heavy snow expected in Detroit – Watch where you’re going!

by Neumann Law Group

street-g885590182_640-300x300 Winter storm warnings have been issued for the northern part of Michigan. In the Detroit Metro area, 6 to 9 inches of snow were expected on Wednesday. Motorists have been urged to reduce speed and drive carefully, but pedestrians are also at risk during severe weather episodes. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable when walking down icy or snow-packed sidewalks. At a certain age, a slip and fall can be a death sentence for an elderly person. Some may never recover from a hip fracture and will require long-term medical assistance. Who is liable for their damages?

Detroit business owners must clear the snow from their sidewalks

According to a local ordinance, Detroit residents and business owners are required to clear the snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours of the accumulation. This is very important for pedestrians and those waiting for public transit.

January 23, 2023

Who can you sue if you were a passenger in a car accident in Michigan?

by Neumann Law Group

A 21-year-old man sustained critical injuries after the car he was a passenger in crashed into a tree on South Hayford Avenue in Lansing. The 20-year-old female driver was arrested on DUI charges. The story poses a series of interesting questions. Who is liable for damages if you were a passenger in a car? Can the unfortunate young man sue his friend for damages? What happens in a multiple-vehicle crash?

Who can you sue if you were in the car with the driver who caused the accident?

Each case is unique and your first step should be to contact a knowledgeable Lansing car accident lawyer.