Blog

Driving Too Fast for Conditions

August 24, 2015

The posted speed limit applies to perfect driving conditions (e.g., lighting, weather and traffic flow). It is the maximum speed allowed in that perfect driving context. When less than optimum conditions are present (e.g., reduced li...

Michigan Storm Damage & Home Owner's Insurance Claims

August 21, 2015

The storm that blew through NW MI last August 2, 2015, left a trail of property damage for many. And with that, many property owners are looking to their homeowners' insurers for help but are being surprised by unwelcome news.&nb...

Avoiding Dangerous Chainsaw Accidents

August 10, 2015

Since last week's major storm up in Northern Michigan, tree clean-up is the task at hand for a great many of residents. Obviously, caution is paramount when operating a chainsaw. Kickback is the most common and seriously har...

Pedestrians Have The Right-Of-Way

August 04, 2015

Up here in northern Michigan, our local community shopping districts are bustling with tourists. Multiple designated pedestrian cross-walks and roadway yield-signs are displayed throughout our local harbor villages and cities. Like i...

Jeep Recall & Driverless Vehicles

July 27, 2015

Needless to say, the recent news about the operation of motor vehicles being (or capable of) hacked by outside sources is deeply disturbing. Fiat-Chrysler just announced its recall of 1.4 Million vehicles after reported hacking disrupted ...

Golf Cart Agreements

July 13, 2015

So you and your pals have driven to northern Michigan to play a round of golf at one of its many, beautiful golf courses. You get to the starter shack at the first tee box and the person takes down your assigned golf cart number and then presents to ...

Summer Festivals & Vendor Tents

July 07, 2015

It is that time of the summer season up here in northern Michigan where festivals are in full swing. With that come corporate sponsors and vendors setting up their promotional tents for the designed purpose to engage potential customers. Vendor tents...

Fireworks

June 30, 2015

It is that joyous, patriotic celebratory time of the summer when we gather together and watch municipal firework shows. The calendar of fireworks shows is considerable when you consider they will take place in so many of our beautiful communities her...

Keeping Dogs on a Leash

June 22, 2015

Up here in northern Michigan, we are blessed with so many trails, walkways and places to walk, hike, bike or recreate. And to many, dogs are equally part of that cherished family activity. For everyone's benefit and safety using the trail, sidewa...

Look for Motorcycles & Bicycles

June 15, 2015

The nice weather is upon us. Naturally, with that, so are avid motorcycle enthusiasts and cyclists. Sadly, although a motorcyclist or bicyclist is generally highly prudent and safe consciously aware of the road environment, this common Michigan trave...

Right-of-Way On The Water

June 08, 2015

With summer now upon us here in Northern Michigan, the excitement to get out on the water builds. Refreshing yourself with the basic rules of navigation and right of way is always recommended. Failure to obey the rules which causes an accident and in...

Auto No-Fault Insurance Claims by Medical Providers

June 01, 2015

Medical service providers have legal standing to independently bring and enforce auto no-fault insurance claims. Recently, however, auto no-fault insurers have tried to challenge and prevent medical providers from bringing legal action directly again...

Auto No-Fault Insurance Reform

May 28, 2015

The auto no-fault insurance industry's recent effort to reform the Michigan system of auto insurance is currently stalled before the Michigan House of Representatives. The version of the bill as passed by the State Senate, changed modestly after ...

NASCAR Admits Catch-Fence System Failure Is Not New

February 28, 2013

NASCAR admits that catch-fence system failure is not new. Remarkably, in a moment of candor, Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's senior vice president for racing operations, remarked "'This is not new.'" Viv Bernstein, NY Times, dated...

NASCAR & Motor-sports Industry Renew Historical Debate About Fan Safety & Catch-fence Systems

February 26, 2013

Race car wheel assemblies keep flying over catch fences. For the motor-sports industry, that is neither new nor a freak accident. And with the recent incident at the Daytona 500 last Saturday, with yet another wheel assembly flying over the catch fen...

The "New" Michigan Assigned Claims Plan for No-fault Benefits

February 18, 2013

In 2012, the Michigan Legislature passed and Gov. Snyder signed into law, a new Michigan Assigned Claims Plan for No-fault Benefits. The new law modifies the administration of the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan. Formerly, the plan was administered by ...

No-Fault Insurance Medical Service Providers Beware

February 14, 2013

No-fault insurance medical service providers must be aware and cautious of the status of a patient's no-fault PIP claim. Particularly, if the patient has filed a lawsuit and the medical provider has elected not to intervene or file its own, joint...

Claim For Unpaid Back Rent From Estate Must Be In Writing...

October 11, 2012

Plaintiff rented out a condominium to his mother and the decedent, his mother’s husband. The couple paid the mortgage payment directly to the mortgage holder. After the plaintiff’s mother died, the decedent continued to live in the ...

Improper to Rely on Study Not Part of Evidence

August 06, 2012

In this divorce appeal, the trial court modified the parenting time schedule to give the defendant parenting time every other weekend including Sunday overnight, and Monday and Wednesday after school until 7:15 p.m. The defendant claimed that t...

Promise to Reimburse Rent by Leaving Inheritance in Will...

June 14, 2012