The Law Offices of Michael Morse, P.C. is green and you should be too!
By Michael Morse | July 12, 2008
Preserving our planet isn’t really all that complicated. All it takes is for each of us to do our part. It can be as simple as recycling or changing a light bulb. Or using your car less and walking or cycling more. No matter what you do, when you reduce carbon emissions, you are making a big difference in the health of our planet.
Here at Michael Morse, P.C., we are constantly looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and protect our fragile environment. We encourage our clients and members of the public to do the same. Michael Morse wants to make it easy for you to help. Information on living a healthier, greener lifestyle can be found on www.preserveourplanet.com. Additionally, we will update this blog with monthly tips on going green.
Remember, in addition to protecting the environment, Michael Morse, P.C., is committed to protecting victims of automobile, truck, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents. If you believe you might have a personal injury case, or simply have a question about Michigan Automobile No-fault Law, call the experts at Michael Morse, P.C. at 248-350-9050, for a free consultation and advice.
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New Michigan Law Regarding Booster Seats
By Michael Morse | July 11, 2008
Booster seats are nothing new, and experts have long recommended their use for children up to age eight. Beginning July 1, 2008, a new Michigan law mandates that all children be in a booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4′9″ tall. Children must be in a seat until they reach the age requirement or the height requirement, whichever comes first.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHSTA), traffic crashes are the leading cause of death of children. In many cases these deaths could have been prevented by properly using a child passenger safety seat. When used correctly, child safety seats are 71 percent effective in reducing fatalities and 50 percent effective in preventing minor injuries.
Michigan drivers should be aware that this is a primary enforcement law. In other words, a police officer can stop a vehicle if the officer sees an improperly restrained child and issue a citation which could end up costing parents $65 to $165 in fines and fees for each unrestrained child in the vehicle.
For more information about child passenger safety seats and the new law, please visit http://www.michigansafekids.org/.
Our law firm has a great reputation protecting children’s interests and rights. If your child is injured in any way, please call us for a free consultation at 248-350-9050.
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5 Million dollar settlement for Michigan Construction Accident
By Michael Morse | July 10, 2008
On June 4, 2008, Attorney Eric Simpson of the law offices of Michael Morse PC settled an extremely large Construction Site Negligence case in which the plaintiff suffered injuries to his neck and back, resulting in neck fusion surgery at three levels with placement of plates and cages. The settlement amount was $2,500,000.00 with a guaranteed structured payout of $5,000,000.00.
The plaintiff was a 29 year old painter who worked for a painting sub-contractor. On October 9, 2006, while walking on a large construction site, the plaintiff was struck on his hard hat by a falling piece of 3 ½ pound steel clip angle, used to support masonry walls. The steel angle was improperly installed and fell from the roof decking nearly 24 feet above the floor. The plaintiff suffered injuries to his cervical and thoracic spine. The plaintiff ultimately underwent cervical fusion at three levels with placement of plates and cages.
Through extensive discovery, it was established that the general contractor had prior knowledge that a different steel angle clip had fallen a week earlier. The earlier incident was reported to the general contractor’s superintendent. The general contractor’s superintendent testified that he knew about this prior incident and he watched as he directed the fireproofing sub-contractor to check and make sure the angle clips were properly installed. The fireproofing sub-contractor denied that they were ever asked to check the angle clips, before the incident involving the plaintiff. It was alleged that the steel angle clips were improperly installed by incompetent employees and that the self-taping screw used to fasten the angle clips was too short for the intended purpose and that the general contractor had the opportunity to remedy the situation, but failed to do so. After the incident, the plaintiff brought the steel angle clip and the screw to the general contractor. The general contractor lost the screw and was not even sure that they had retained the actual clip brought to them by plaintiff. Defendants attempted to attribute fault to other sub-contractors. The defendants alleged that the incident may never have taken place as there were no witnesses to verify the Plaintiff’s story. They also argued that the 29 year old plaintiff had pre-existing degenerative changes in his spine.
If you think that you may have a personal injury case, please call Eric Simpson or Michael Morse at 248/350-9050 for a free consultation. We represent plaintiff’s injured due to someone else’s negligence, no matter where the negligence occurs, including on construction sites and on our roadways.
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Truck Accident in Michigan kills Two People
By Michael Morse | June 19, 2008
On June 18, 2008, two men from Illinois were on their way home when they ran out of gas on I-94 in Michigan. The men got gas and were on the side of the road trying to put it into their car when a Michigan commercial garbage vehicle crashed right into where they were on the side of the road.
The two men were both pronounced dead as soon as the medical team arrived on the scene. Police are still in the process of investigating this horrific accident. There is no word yet as to the reason of the accident and why the garbage truck driver ran off the road. Police have said that when they know more it will be released to the public as soon as possible.
Topics: Michigan Truck Accident, Michigan Truck Accident Lawyer | No Comments »
Michael Morse, P.C. and the Auto Accident Claim Center relocated
By Michael Morse | June 13, 2008
An electrical fire last Friday, June 6, 2008, forced us to move to a temporary location until the building is fixed. We are now working out of 3000 Town Center, suite 76, in Southfield. The complex is at the Lodge and 10 Mile Road. Because of our back up system and fire proof cabinets, not a single file was lost or damaged. There was damage to the lobby area and some smoke damage throughout the building. The fire started when a space heater caught fire around 3:00 a.m. No one was hurt.
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Michigan Bus accident claims
By Michael Morse | June 5, 2008
The Michigan Bus accident attorneys at Michael Morse, P.C. have handled hundreds of bus accident claims. We have had claims with Detroit DOT, SEMTA, The Ride, Greyhound, The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, and more. The most usual claims are when the bus driver drives negligently and causes an accident or just stops too fast when a passenger is not in their seat. We represent lots of Michigan residents who slip or trip while getting onto or off of a bus. We also handle claims involving other vehicles, motorcycles or pedestrians who are involved in an accident with a bus. All of these people injured above are entitled to Michigan No-fault Insurance benefits. They can recover medical bills, lost wages, medical mileage and much more. The advice is always free at Michael Morse, P.C. and the Auto Accident Claim Center.
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Automobile Accidents on the rise in Monroe, Michigan
By Michael Morse | June 2, 2008
If you are driving in Monroe County, Michigan, it is best to stay off the roads between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m, on a Friday night, in December. This is when most of the accidents happen and it is not a coincidence that the bars closed soon before. Auto accidents were up almost 4% and alcohol related automobile accidents were up to almost 6% which is the highest in Southwest Michigan. There were 318 Truck and bus accidents in Monroe Michigan in 2007 which is about 8% of all accidents, a huge number. At the Auto Accident Claim Center, it is not surprising that we have a large practice in Monroe County. We are very familiar with the court there and the Judges. If you are injured in an automobile, truck or motorcycle accident in Monroe County Michigan, give us a call for free advice.
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Two Michigan Motorcyclists die over the weekend
By Michael Morse | May 27, 2008
One man from Goodrich Michigan died when a vehicle being driven by a 19-year-old Millington man pulled out from an intersection in front of two motorcycles, killing one of the drivers. Neither speed nor alcohol appeared to have been factors in the accident.
The second Michigan motorcyclist was on leave from the military where he was stationed in Iraq. He was killed in Allegan County over the weekend. The family was distraught over the fact that their son fought for his country in Iraq and was killed on a Michigan highway.
The Law offices Of Michael Morse, P.C. and the Auto Accident Claim Center handle hundreds of motorcycle accidents a year. Many people and lawyers alike do not know that there are special rules that apply only to Michigan motorcyclists. Click here to learn more.
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Pit bulls strays set for euthanasia in Livingston County
By Michael Morse | May 24, 2008
Our office handles some horrific dog bite cases around not only the State of Michigan, but around the country. Most of our cases involve Pit bulls or a Pit bull mix or a Rotweiller breed. Livingston County just took steps to help eliminate the risk of these dangerous animals. According to the Ann Arbor News , under the new rule, any stray, unlicensed dog considered dangerous or a bully breed that is picked up or surrendered to animal control faces possible euthanization. If it does not have a “collar, license, MDA tattoo or other evidence of ownership,” the dog will be held for the state-mandated period of four days, “or seven days, with evidence of ownership,” the resolution states. If not claimed by the owner, who must show proof of ownership and pay the required fees, the dog will then be euthanized.
Breeds affected by the new rule include pit bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American bulldogs, mixes, or any aggressive dogs. The resolution defines an aggressive dog as one which has an “observed or historical behavior that makes the animal a danger to the health and safety of people or other animal(s).”
For more information on dog bites and what to do if you are bitten by a dog, visit www.dogbite-attorneys.com .
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Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance in Michigan
By Michael Morse | May 21, 2008
Both of these types of insurance will protect you and your family in case of an accident. While both of these coverages are optional in Michigan, you should not drive a vehicle unless you are sure that you have high enough limits. In Michigan, the minimum amount of auto insurance liability required by law is only $20,000 per person per accident.
For you or your family, this could mean little or no compensation for a serious injury.
That is where Uninsured and Underinsured motorist coverage come into play. These coverages, are very inexpensive and are probably the most important coverage you can purchase as part of your auto insurance policy. They are designed to fill-in the gaps where an at-fault driver’s coverage is lacking or nonexistent.
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is designed to make available a source of recovery for you if a driver without insurance causes an accident, and you are injured as a result. With UM coverage, your insurer pays you the damages you would have recovered had the negligent driver been insured. This type of insurance is extremely important to have as there is a greater than 10% chance that the negligent driver is Uninsured and therefore, driving illegally on Michigan roads.
Underinsurance motorist coverage (UIM) is designed to protect you and your family from a negligent driver that causes harm, but is not insured to a high enough limit to provide adequate protection should you suffer serious injuries. In an Underinsurance motorist claim, you will have to make a claim against the negligent driver and owner of the other vehicle involved in the accident, as well as make a claim with your own insurance company for the Underinsurance motorist coverage. For example, if you have $100,000 in Underinsurance motorist coverage and are severely injured due to the negligence of the Underinsured driver who has only $20,000 in liability coverage, you would file a claim against the negligent driver for the $20,000 liability limit, and would seek an additional $80,000 in coverage against your own insurance company under the Underinsurance motorist coverage. This would total the $100,000 of UIM coverage that you had on your own vehicle.
The bottom line is that you should examine your auto insurance policy and make sure you have at least $250,000 of coverage for both UM and UIM. State Farm Insurance and Titan are the only 2 companies in Michigan that do not offer UIM coverage.
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