If you live or drive in California, you’ve likely seen the billboards or television ads or heard the radio spots with the slogan “it’s not worth it!” That slogan is talking about using your cell phone or handheld device while driving. And they are serious. Distracted driving is a huge traffic safety issue and the use of handheld electronic devices is a major contributor. As a result, states across the nation—including California—have been camping up their efforts over the last several years to combat this issue.

So how big of an issue is it? And how dangerous is it to use your phone while driving? Some of the numbers are pretty shocking:

• 80% of all vehicle crashes involve some sort of driver inattention and talking on a cell phone or texting is the number one source of driver distractions.
• Most crashes happen with less than 3 seconds of reaction time; texting takes your eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds, during which your vehicle traveling at 55 mph can cover the length of a football field.
• Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.
• Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent.
• Using a cell phone while driving—even if it is hands-free—delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. Driving while using your cell phone is as bad as driving drunk.

These numbers highlight the need for drivers to change their behavior when it comes to using their cell phone or handheld device in the car. Some of the recommended behavioral changes include:

• Never text and drive
• Turn off your phone when you get behind the wheel
• Don’t text of call someone when you know they are likely to be driving.
• Make a pact with your loved ones—family, spouse, children drivers and caregivers—to never use the phone with kids in the car
• Don’t program your GPS, MP3 player or other devices while driving
• Pull over and stop if you need to make a call or use your phone

Our Michigan motorcycle accident attorneys are reporting a Niles bike accident on South 11th Street and Cherry Street on the evening Saturday, July 16th. According to police, a motorcycle was traveling northbound on South 11th Street when a vehicle crossed in front of it causing the motorcycle to strike the car. Both the driver and passenger on the motorcycle sustained injuries due to the motorcycle-car accident.

I am very sorry to hear about this accident. I hope the victims have a fast recovery without any permanent damages. 

Our Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers advise victims of their legal rights. If the motorcycle crash did not involve contact with another motor vehicle, a legal claim can not be made. However, if the bike accident did involve another motor vehicle, the motorcyclist may be able to make a claim for Michigan no-fault insurance benefits. These benefits provide for payment of medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care services, and other benefits. The injured victim may also be able to make a personal injury claim against the driver if found negligent.

Victims of motorcycle accidents do have legal rights. If you or a family member suffers injuries due to a bike accident, contact our office immediately to discuss your case. Call us now at (800) 606-1717 to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.

Titan insurance company paid $170,000.00 to settle a first party case for medical benefits as a result of a motorcycle accident that was caught on a video tape.  Titan originally denied no-fault benefitsbased on it’s accident reconstructionists opinions that there was no involvement with the motor vehicle. 

The Michigan motorcycle accident lawyersof Buckfire & Buckfire, PC hired an accident reconstructionists to refute the claims of Titan’s alleged expert and were pursuing a motion to strike Titan’s experts, when Titan finally made payment on the claim. 

Victims of motorcycle accidents do have legal rights. If you or a family member suffer injuries due to a Michigan motorcycle accident and your insurance company denies you the no-fault benefits you are entitled to, conatact one of our Michigan no-fault insurance attorneys immediately to discuss your case. Call us now at (800) 606-1717.

There was a story in the news today about a Michigan motorcycle – car accident in Norton Shores. The accident took place on Saturday, July 3rd, around 10:30 p.m.  According to Norton Shores Police, a motorcycle crashed into a vehicle that was making a turn at the intersection of Sternberg and Grand Haven roads. The motorcyclist suffers serious injuries and was taken to the Spectrum Health Hospital in Grand Rapids. The driver of the car does not suffer any injuries. It has not been determined who is at fault.

I am very sorry to hear about this accident and hope the motorcycle accident victim has a fast recovery without any permanent damages.

Our Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers advise bikers of their legal rights. Because this motorcycle accident involved contact with another motor vehicle, the injured victim may be eligible for Michigan No-Fault Insurance benefits. These benefits provide for payment of medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care services, and other benefits. The injured victim may also be able to make a personal injury claim for the injuries suffered against the driver if found negligent.

There was a story in the paper yesterday about a Jackson County motorcycle crash. According to police, a woman driving a motorcycle along Mount Hope Road was hit by a car and killed when the vehicle crossed the center lane into her lane.

I am very sorry to hear about this tragic motorcycle accident. My condolences go out to the family and friends of the biker for their loss.

Our Michigan motorcycle accident attorneys advise bikers of their legal rights. Family members of the deceased motorcycle driver may be able to make a claim for Survivor Loss Benefits for the deceased biker. This can include payment of funeral expenses, lost wages, and loss of other services. Also, the family members of the deceased victim may have a claim for a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit against the driver that police determine was negligent and caused these car accidents. At the very least, the surviving family should hire the best possible lawyer to look into these possibilities.