Kreiner v. Fischer. A 2004 opinion by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Cliff Taylor that re-wrote Michigan Auto Insurance law as it was known up until that point in time. In that opinion, he literally re-wrote the legal standard that had been drafted by our legislature for individuals who had been injured in auto accidents. Back when the legislature enacted the Auto No-Fault Statute, individuals...
Winter has come early here in Northern Michigan, at least a little earlier than it did last year. Now that the roads are covered in snow and ice, we have to use a little extra caution as we race about town looking for that last Xmas gift. We all need to keep in mind the following safe driving tips as we head into the coldest months of the year here in Northern Michigan.When driving in the...
Michigan consumers are shocked when they learn that their auto insurer is not their advocate but instead is their primary adversary. Despite responsibly paying those costly premiums for mandatory auto no-fault insurance, injured accident victims are repeatedly dismayed when they learn that their very own no-fault insurer's/adjuster's strategic goal in handling their claim is to find (or many...
Authorities report that Nicole Ridgeway, 17, was driving north on Elk Lake Road at about 8:00 a.m. Saturday, October 27, when she lost control of her car on a curve and slid across the road into a power pole. The Elk Rapids High School senior was rushed to Munson Medical Center with passengers Jonathan Hosner, 20, of Elk Rapids and Andrew Bussa, 20, of Kewadin. Nicole Ridgeway died shortly...
When you ask your insured's agent to provide you with "full coverage", are you really getting what you think you're getting? Most people never really look at or understand what they've bought until it's too late...If you look at the coverage sheet or declaration page of your car insurance policy, the first line might look something like this "Bodily Injury - 100/300". Bodily injury coverage is...
A Thompsonville Michigan man was alledgedly drunk when he caused a crash that killed Benzie High School teacher Katherine Wolterink. John Lee Burchett's blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when he crossed the centerline on Cinder Road and crashed into Wolterink's vehicle head on. Wolterink was trapped in her burning vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Burchett was...
A motorcylist hit a deer in Elmer Township on Friday. Bow hunting season opened on October 1st and it also means an increase to motor vehicle accidents involving deer. The motorcycle accident happened on Marlette Road. Deer grow more active during the fall reproductive cycle. That, combined with people traipsing through the woods, leaves drivers with a fast approaching "rush hour" for...