Michigan Truck Accident Blog

In response to the rapidly raising costs and limited resources, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and its contracting agencies are modifying how winter maintenance operations will be handled on state highways. This means some state highways may take longer to be cleared following a snowstorm. Revisions to maintenance activities are a reflection of Michigan’s transportation funding crisis, which is the result of falling state fuel tax revenues and vehicle registration fees, reduced purchasing power due to inflation and rising construction and materials (such as salt) costs.

This winter, state highways throughout Michigan will be designated either Priority Service Level I (Orange Routes) or II (Blue Routes). During snowfalls, there will be no change in winter maintenance operations. On orange routes, maintenance crews will work to clear the entire pavement of ice and snow both during and after a snow event, using overtime if necessary. The orange routes are MDOT-identified as highways of significance based on economic and travel trends.

On blue routes, maintenance crews will work to clear most snow and ice from roads. At a minimum, roads will be cleared for one wheel-track in each direction, by the conclusion of a snow event. The reminder of the snow and ice on blue routes will be cleared as soon as possible after the snow event without working overtime. While blue routes may be passable, they will not necessarily be completely clear until after snow has stopped accumulating.

MDOT also wants to correct the misconception that more salt is the cure for slippery roads in all cases. When temperatures fall to 10 to 20 degrees, the action of the salt (which lowers the freezing temperature of water) takes longer to work and refreezes at a much faster rate. When temperatures fall below zero to 10 degrees, the melting, dilution of the salt and the refreezing process accelerates even more. This causes the potential for a more dangerous condition than what previously existed.

MDOT encourages drivers to adopt the following winter driving tips:

Every winter, Michigan communities struggle to keep roads clear of snow and ice. This year, a shortage of road salt and skyrocketing salt prices make their task even more difficult.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), car accidents are the number one cause of death during winter storms. Defensive driving is important. Learning how to maneuver your vehicle when confronted with winter’s elements could mean the difference between life, death or serious injury.

One of the greatest winter weather threats can be icy roads, and in particular, icy bridges. A bridge is exposed to air on all of its surfaces - on top, underneath and on its sides. In contrast, a normal road surface is exposed to air on only one side, its top surface. When temperatures drop, this means bridges will cool and accumulate snow and ice faster than roadways on solid ground.

The most dangerous aspect of an icy bridge is the element of surprise - it can catch drivers off guard, who are traveling at full speed because the rest of the road is either clear or just a little wet. The consequences of driving onto ice at highway speeds can be catastrophic, as the loss of control and impacts happen much faster than in most other conditions. Slides are often unrecoverable and chain-reaction type accidents are common, as additional vehicles may lose control in the same location.

No matter what type of road you are driving, always pay attention to your surroundings. Protect yourself and your family, and arrive at your destination safely!

Health insurance companies are finding new ways to avoid paying claims of policyholders most in need of medical treatment.

One of the latest insurance company tactics is rescinding policies after individuals file claims, and encouraging them to pursue benefits from Medicare, Medicaid, or other sources.

Another serious problem is “dual-role insurers,” which are companies that not only pay benefits, but also decide who is entitled to receive them. While the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act allows insurance companies to do this, many argue this dual role presents an inherent conflict of interest.

Some insurers are directing staff to scrutinize each claim, to find any hint of “misrepresentation” that would be an excuse to cancel a policy. For example, a company might try to revoke a policy, if an individual did not identify a previous health problem or medical procedure on his or her initial insurance application.

Increasing public attention has prompted state industry regulators to investigate and fine some health insurers for these unfair and unlawful practices. One recent investigation revealed that an insurer paid employee bonuses, based on the number of policies they cancelled.

In short, these companies increase profits by wrongfully denying claims of their sickest policyholders, and continuing coverage only to those who are healthy.

If you or a loved one has encountered similar problems with your insurance company, you need to protect your legal rights. Contact an experienced attorney who can help you receive the medical benefits and coverage that you deserve.

If you were in a motor vehicle accident involving a truck, here are some simple guidelines to protect yourself — and your legal rights:

Stay Calm

Get Help After a Truck Accident

Get All the Facts After Truck Accident

Check Out All the Damages Caused by the Truck Accident

Check Out the Truck Accident Scene

Protect Your Health After a Truck Accident

Report the Truck Accident

File an Insurance Claim After a Truck Accident

Be sure to let your insurance company know if you were in a hit-and-run truck accident. Some insurance policies require notice of a claim involving an unidentified driver within 30 days of the truck accident.

Tell your own insurance company that you claim your right to any uninsured or under-insured motorist coverage, in case the truck that hit you was not covered by motor vehicle insurance. Insurance companies often require prompt notice of these truck accident claims and may deny these benefits to anyone who does not follow the strict requirements in their policies.

Get Help from an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, talk with an experienced truck accident lawyer.

Serious truck accident claims often involved complicated legal issues. The negligent truck driver, the company that owns the truck, and other persons involved in the truck accident may all have attorneys working to protect their interests and to stop you from getting the compensation you deserve, talk with an experienced truck accident lawyer.

We all know that Michigan motorists pay a ton of money for their auto
insurance. Our no-fault system in Michigan is the most generous in the
nation. It has worked well for several decades (since the early
1970s). However, it’s falling apart under its own weight.

The primary culprit with regard to sky rocketing auto insurance rates
are the increasing costs associated with the first party benefits.
These benefits, sometimes referred to as the no-fault benefits or
economic benefits, include unlimited medical coverage (and the related
fee for service reimbursement to medical providers) and reimbursement
for lost wages, attendant care and replacement services. The insurance
industry estimates that twenty years ago first party benefits
accounted for approximately 20% of the premium cost. Today, first
party benefits have doubled to 40% of the premium cost. As medical
costs increase, the cost of auto insurance will increase. Essentially,
Michigan auto insurance companies have become health insurance
companies. Despite the fact that most drivers are already paying for
their own health insurance.

Recently, an unlikely coalition of legislators and special interest
groups including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Urban League, Small
Business Association and legislators Virgil Smith (a Democrat) and
Alan Sanborn (a Republican) introduced an effort to reduce auto
insurance rates. Their proposal involves a $50,000 cap on no-fault
benefits. This approach is often referred to as “PIP Choice”. The same
approach that was roundly rejected (by a 30 point margin) in the early
90’s in two state wide voter initiatives. For many reasons, the
specific approach is misguided.

However, an approach that might accomplish the same result - lower
auto insurance rates in Michigan - has support from many important
stakeholders in this debate. This approach seeks to adopt a fee
schedule for medical providers that is identical to the worker’s
compensation fee schedule - a system that already works. Importantly,
this reimbursement approach is more generous than private insurance
(including Blue Cross and all HMOs).

An approach involving fee schedules would accomplish everyone’s
objective - lower auto insurance rates - without cutting off (read -
shifting the responsibility to the state…read - forcing Michigan
taxpayers to pick up the tab) catastrophically injured auto accident
victims when they blow through the $50,000 cap.

Our highways accommodate millions of passenger vehicles, buses trucks, and tractor-trailers. These extremely large semi trucks carry essential products, parts, livestock, and equipment for business and consumers. Economically we need these big trucks, but sharing the road with them can be very dangerous. When driving near a tractor trailer be alert and take extra safety precautions.

Know the Risks:

Most states allow extremely large trucks and tractor-trailers to travel on major highways. The following are some of the current legal standards for semi trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large trucks:

• A loaded tractor-trailer can be up to 8 1/2 feet wide — 50% wider that a passenger car. (102 inches)
• The overall length of a truck hauling a trailer can be up to 65 feet on designated truck routes.
• The length of a tractor-trailer transporting logs can be up to 70 feet, or more than 4 times the length of an average automobile.
• There is no overall limit on the length of a semi truck, if it is pulling one trailer no longer than 50 feet or two trailers no longer than 28 ½ feet each.
• The normal maximum load for a truck with a single trailer can be as much as 80,000 pounds. A few states, including Michigan, allow trailers with multiple axles and tires to haul up to 120,000. Watch for these trucks which usually carry steel, gravel, heavy equipment, asphalt, and other extremely heavy goods.
• The maximum weight of a tractor truck with two loaded trailers can be as much as 160,000 pounds, about the same weight as 50 passenger cars.

The enormous size and weight of a tractor-trailer make it a potentially dangerous vehicle, even if a skilled and careful truck driver is at the wheel.

Safety Tips for Auto Drivers Sharing the Road with Large Trucks

If you are on the highway near a tractor trailer or semi truck, you can reduce the risk of a serious accident by driving with extra care. Here are safety guidelines to help you protect yourself and your family:

• Stay out of truck blind spots. Although every truck has side mirrors, the driver still has blind spots–areas directly behind and on both sides of the truck where the driver cannot see cars. Look at the truck, if you can’t see the driver’s side view mirrors, you are in the blind spot and the driver can’t see you. If your car is next to a large truck, either drive on past or back off. If you are passing, try to drive your car on the left side where the blind spot is smaller.

• Never follow a large truck too closely. Keep 20 to 25 car lengths between the front of your vehicle and the back of a large truck. This extra distance will allow you to see in front of the truck. In case there is congested traffic or an accident up ahead, you will see it in time to stop or safely steer your car away from the danger.

• Use extra caution when passing a large truck. After you pass a large truck, do not pull your car back into its traffic lane until you can see its headlights in your rear view mirror. Leaving this extra distance gives the truck driver the time to slow down or stop if something is happening on the highway ahead.

• Always remember that a loaded tractor-trailer or semi truck needs as much as 100 yards — the length of a football field — to come to a complete stop. No matter how crowded the highway, make sure to maintain this safe distance. If the truck driver ignores this margin of safety and follows your car too closely, do not take a chance. Move your car into another traffic lane.

• Always use your turn signals when changing lanes. Drivers around you need to know what you are doing to maintain safe driving distances.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal Michigan motor vehicle accidents dropped by 4% last year.

This good news appears in NHTSA’s recent preview of the 2006 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment, a comprehensive analysis of highway accidents in the United States.

The total number of auto accident victims has decreased nationally. Between 2005 and 2006, car accident deaths dropped 3.8%, light truck accident deaths dropped 2.4%, but large truck accident deaths rose by 0.1%.

Meanwhile, car accident injuries declined 6.2%, light truck accident injuries declined 1.7%, and large truck accident injuries declined 15%.

Unfortunately, the death rate from drunk driving accidents was essentially unchanged.

The NHTSA preview report included grim news for motorcyclists. The number of people killed in motorcycle accidents rose by 5.1%, while the number of people injured in motorcycle accidents rose by 1.1%. Deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents now account for 11% of all fatal highway accidents.

Later this year, NHTSA will issue its full report on 2006 highway accidents, including more detailed statistics about Michigan motor vehicle accidents.

The new Michael Moore movie “Sicko” really hits home, because many of our injured clients also struggle to get access to essential health insurance coverage. In fact, the problems that Michael Moore identified in “Sicko” are just the tip of the iceberg.

At our Michigan personal injury law firm, truck accident victims often come to us after getting the run-around from insurance companies. For example, we have clients who needed expensive medical tests, surgery, and treatment after suffering serious injuries in Michigan truck accidents.

While struggling to recover, some of our truck accident clients ended up hassling with insurance adjustors. The individual’s group health insurance company insisted that medical bills from the Michigan truck accident should be paid by Michigan no-fault auto insurance, while a no-fault auto insurance adjustor claimed that the group health insurance carrier had to pay.

That is where our Michigan truck accident law firm steps in. One of our experienced Michigan truck accident attorneys determines which insurance carrier is legally required to pay, demands payment of our client’s medical bills, and if necessary, files a lawsuit to force the insurance company to meet its responsibility.

Like the people whom Michael Moore featured in “Sicko,” some of our Michigan truck accident clients desperately need essential medical care. We understand, and we are ready to fight for these injured victims’ legal rights.

When you are a young adult, you hope that the whole world is open to you, that everything is possible.

School, work, travel, a family, you name it — nothing can hold you back.

This is just what our client Matt thought — until he was badly hurt in a Michigan auto accident almost two years ago.

Then his life changed in profound ways.

You see, Matt suffered a closed head injury, as well as injuries to his back and legs, as a result of the Michigan auto accident.

Since then, Matt has not been able to find any work that he is able to do.

Before the Michigan car accident, Matt had jobs involving physical labor. Now he cannot do any physical work at all. He also cannot handle a desk job, because the head injury he suffered in the Michigan auto accident left him with significant concentration and memory problems.

It is no wonder that Matt is depressed. He is afraid that he will never be able to support himself or to have a family. Sometimes, he feels that he has nothing to look forward to.

We want to change that — to give this young man a chance for a good life.

Our Michigan car accident lawyers are working hard to help Matt collect damages from the careless driver who caused the Michigan auto accident.

Matt has the legal right to hold that careless driver accountable and our Michigan car accident lawyers are determined to help him do just that.

Thank goodness the baby wasn’t hurt.

Tanya, our Michigan car accident client, was pregnant when she was hit by a careless driver. As a result of the auto accident, she suffered several broken bones and a serious closed head injury.

Fortunately, the Michigan car accident did not end Tanya’s pregnancy. A few months later, she delivered a healthy new daughter.

However, that Michigan automobile accident did deprive Tanya of many joys of motherhood. For several months after the auto accident, she was in a wheelchair. Now she gets around on a walker and still needs help taking care of herself, as well as baby.

Tanya was hoping to go back to school to train for a nursing career, but the Michigan auto accident put these plans on hold. The car accident left her with not only severe physical limitations due to the broken bones, but also with ongoing memory problems and headaches due to the closed head injury.

Thus, it could be a long time before she can pursue her goal of returning to work to help support her family.

Recognizing this hard reality, our Michigan auto accident attorneys are working hard to get most damages possible from the reckless driver who caused the Michigan car accident.

Tanya has been through so much — she deserves full compensation, to help provide financial security for herself and her little daughter.