Michigan Injury Lawyer Blog

February 22, 2023

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

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.

January 23, 2023

Two friends were arrested for OWI in Michigan after one drives to the scene to assist her friend.

by Neumann Law Group

Michigan – January 20, 2023

Two friends in Northern Michigan found out that showing up to support a friend does not always yield positive results when one was arrested during a traffic stop. According to troopers from the Michigan State Police Gaylord Post, a woman was stopped in Otsego County after police suspected her of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. She called her friend to help, and the friend arrived and was promptly arrested for OWI as they had been drinking together earlier. Alcohol and drug-related fatal crashes remain a significant traffic safety issue in Michigan, with approximately 44.7 percent of the total fatal crashes involving alcohol and drugs in 2021. Drunk driving is considered an illegal criminal act in Michigan and the consequences of a driving-related death due to operating while intoxicated can severely and negatively impact the negligent driver’s life no matter how the case turns out.

Severe stance.

December 12, 2022

Michigan 3-Vehicle Accident Leaves One Dead, Four Injured

by Neumann Law Group

shutterstock_1208668198-300x169 Multi-vehicle accidents often occur on highways or other roadways with many vehicles closely packed together. When multiple vehicles are involved in a crash, establishing causation can be a difficult task. In bumper-to-bumper traffic, a rear-end crash can cause one vehicle to push forward and rear-end the vehicle in front of it. On other occasions, a single vehicle may suffer damage from an initial accident that worsens after a second accident. In these situations, it can be hard to determine who is at fault for the accident.

As a recent news article reported, a 3-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck left one woman dead and four people injured in Cass County, Michigan. The deceased was slowing down on the highway to make a turn when another driver crashed into the back of her vehicle. Then, a semi-truck also crashed into the deceased’s car, pushing her car into oncoming traffic. She was pronounced dead at the scene. As a result of the semi-truck crash, the other car veered off the road and rolled onto its side. The driver and three passengers were hospitalized for their injuries.

What are the Causes of a Multi-Vehicle Accident?

Various factors may contribute to a multi-vehicle accident. For example, a driver could be distracted or even be driving under the influence. This initial act of carelessness could set off a chain of accidents, particularly on a busy roadway. At the same time, not all multi-vehicle accidents result from a driver’s carelessness. Inclement weather, unsafe road conditions, or a lack of proper traffic signs can all contribute to the likelihood of a multi-vehicle accident.

November 15, 2022

Michigan Wrong-Way Car Accident Leaves Three People Dead

by Neumann Law Group

shutterstock_1205973391-300x200 Wrong-way accidents occur when a vehicle crosses into the opposite lane and veers into oncoming traffic, colliding with a vehicle traveling in the other direction. Last year, at least 421 crashes in Michigan occurred as a result of someone driving the wrong way on a divided road. Nationally, fatalities resulting from wrong-way accidents have been on the rise. As AAA reports, wrong-way accidents often result in head-on collisions, which can be especially dangerous for drivers and passengers.

A recent news article detailed a wrong-way accident that left three people dead in Iron Mountain, Michigan. A car was traveling in the northbound lane of a local roadway when it suddenly crossed into the southbound lane and struck another car. The other driver tried to brake, but he sadly could not avoid the collision. Both drivers died at the scene, along with one passenger. The other passengers, a woman and two children, were transported to the hospital for their injuries. One of the children was in critical condition. Police are continuing to investigate the crash, but they believe speed was a contributing factor.

What Are the Most Common Causes of a Wrong-Way Accident?

Many different factors can lead to a wrong-way accident. First, drivers may be distracted. They may be talking on the phone or texting while driving, both of which result in drivers paying too little attention to the road in front of them. Second, a driver who is speeding might veer into the opposite lane at a high speed. In this scenario, even if a driver sees another car approaching from the opposite direction, they may not have time to swerve out of the way before a head-on collision occurs. Excessive speeding can cause a driver to lose control of the car more easily, leading to a deadly wrong-way crash. Finally, drivers may travel into the wrong lane if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to the AAA, driving under the influence increases a person’s odds of being a wrong-way driver. Driving under the influence means an intoxicated driver becomes a danger to everyone else on the road.

October 20, 2022

Driver Killed in Michigan Box Truck Accident

by Neumann Law Group

shutterstock_1591595077-300x136 Too often, car accidents involving large trucks can be fatal. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s most recent data, nearly 46,000 large trucks were involved in crashes leading to injuries in 2020. During that same year, there were 4,842 fatal crashes involving large trucks. Among the fatal crashes involving large trucks, the critical event that led to 63 percent of the crashes was another vehicle in or approaching the large truck’s lane.

A recent news article reported that a driver was killed in an accident involving a box truck in Ray Township, Michigan. After the two vehicles collided, the Corvette driver crashed into an electrical pole on the side of the road. The truck driver did not suffer any injuries, but the Corvette driver was killed.

When Can You Sue Employers for Employees’ Actions in Michigan?

Under Michigan law, an employer can be held liable for an employee’s actions following an accident using a legal concept known as respondeat superior or vicarious liability. To establish vicarious liability, a plaintiff must show that the employee works for the defendant and acted within the scope of his employment during the accident. Acting within the “scope of employment” means, in part, conducting some activity during the employee’s designated working hours that ultimately benefits the employer’s business. By contrast, an employer could escape liability if its employees committed negligent acts beyond the scope of employment, such as using an employer-issued vehicle for unauthorized personal trips. Under Michigan law, this rule applies even if the accident occurs during normal working hours, so long as the employee is not completing a task to benefit the employer’s business.