Ann Arbor car injury lawyers of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. recently created an infographic, “Drunk Driving Crash Deaths Soar to Sobering Numbers” on 2011 United States death statistics. The infographic visually displays the contrasts in accidental deaths compared to drunk driving crash deaths. It was created to make people aware of the very high number of deaths that take place due to drunk driving, and to remind society that drunk driving is not an accident and can be easily prevented unlike other natural disasters that are beyond ones control.  Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. is a Southfield personal injury law firm that specializes in representing motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists injured in Ann Arbor drunk driving accidents and against the establishment that served the alcohol.  The firm represents victims injured throughout the entire State of Michigan.

To view the “Drunk Driving Crash Deaths Soar to Sobering Numbers” infographic visit http://bit.ly/drunkdrivingcrashdeaths

Driving under the influence is in fact a very serious issue and is still a rising problem in our society. In fact, in 2011 in the U.S. there were a total of 9,878 deaths as a result or drunk driving. Other statistics included on the infographic are deaths that resulted from an actual accident or natural disaster in 2011 in the U.S. They include:

• Lightning Deaths: 26
• West Nile Virus Deaths: 43
• Aircraft Deaths: 401
• Tornado Deaths: 553
• Handgun Murders: 6,220

Due to the high number of drunk driving deaths, some states have already passed legislation regarding safety measures to reduce
these types of crashes and eliminate drunk driving nationwide.  Preventative measures such as requiring ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders, conducting sobriety checkpoints, enacting penalties for DUI Child Endangerment, utilizing administrative license revocation, and more are some examples of legislation that has passed.

The Ann Arbor car injury lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. are actively pursuing lawsuits in several cases for victims injured in a drunk driving crash. Motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists injured by Ann Arbor drunk and intoxicated drivers have legal rights against the negligent driver and often also against the bar, restaurant, or establishment that served the drunk drive the alcohol that cause the intoxication.

To learn more about how the number of accidental deaths in the U.S. compared to drunk driving crash deaths, visit http://bit.ly/drunkdrivingcrashdeaths   Share this infographic with others, including new drivers, as a motivation to keep our roads and highways safe from drunk driving drivers and to make people more aware of the serious consequences of getting behind the wheel after drinking.  Take a stand against drunk driving and embed the graphic on your own site, email friends and colleagues, and share on all social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google+

The Ann Arbor drunk driving crash lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. are reporting on a single rollover car accident that killed Jeffrey Jerome Robinson and injured one more. The accident happened on Thursday, May 9th around 2:30 a.m on I-94 near Stone School Road. According to police, Mr. Robinson lost control of the vehicle which caused it to roll over just west of Platt Road. Alcohol is suspected of contributing to to the crash as well as the lack of seat belt usage.

I am so sorry to hear about this tragic accident. My condolences go out to the families of the deceased victims, and I hope the injured victims have a fast recovery without any permanent damages.

According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, there were a total of 11,068 drunk driving accidents in the year 2008 in Michigan. Of those drunk driving crahses, 5,700 people were injured and 317 were wrongfully killed. Drunk driving crashes are highly preventable of all accidents that occur. In 2010, more than 1.4 million people were arrested for a DUI  or drug use.

Ann Arbor drunk driving crash lawyers in Michigan advise victims of their legal rights.  For this particular single rollover crash, the injured victim may be able submit a claim for Michigan No-Fault benefits.  No-Fault benefits will cover their medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the car accident.  The injured victim can claim these benefits even if they did not have a Michigan automobile insurance policy (more…)

Our Michigan car accident injury Buckfire attorneys are reporting a fatal head-on accident on Sunday, July 15th in the early am hours in Canton.  According to police, a 26-year-old woman was driving the wrong way on Michigan Avenue and crashed into another vehicle head-on.  The woman driver was turning left from southbound Lilley and drove the wrong way along westbound Michigan Avenue. She was the only passenger in her vehicle, however the car she struck held both a driver and a passenger, 39-year-old Ypsilanti man and his wife.

Both drivers suffer serous injuries in the Michigan drunk driver accident and were taken to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. The passenger in the vehicle that was struck head-on also suffered injuries and was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and then transferred to the University of Michigan Hospital.

Alcohol appears to be the factor in the accident. The 26-year-old driver is suspected of driving drunk. Police reports show that both drivers were driving within the legal speed limit along Michigan Avenue – 50-55 mph.

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

Wrong way drivers cause about 3% of all crashes, however when these type of accidents occur they can be fatal and tragic. Wrong way car accidents are usually more severe, often involving several cars and more impact damage. According to the Texas Transportation Institute, 75% of all wrong way crashes are caused by drunk drivers, and half peak around 2 a.m., just as this particular accident. (more…)

Our Ann Arbor car accident lawyers are reporting an Ann Arbor drunk driver accident that took place at about 12:45 a.m. on August 7th. According to police, a car was going west on Ann Arbor Road near Hackett Street when it turned and struck another vehicle traveling the other direction head-on. The driver of the at-fault car had a blood alcohol content of 0.15 at the time of the accident.  Her and three people in the other vehicle sustained injuries due to the car accident.

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

Our Ann Arbor car accident lawyers advise victims of their legal rights. For this type of Ann Arbor drunk driver accident, the injured individuals can submit a claim for Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits. No-Fault benefits will cover their medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the accident. The injured victims can claim these benefits even if they did not have a Michigan automobile insurance policy.

In addition, the car accident injury victims may also have claims for personal injuries against the other driver if determined to be at fault. The insurance company for the negligent driver typically pays a settlement for this type of case. In this lawsuit, the injured victims can claim damages and compensation for the injuries suffered in the accident. Another possible claim for anyone injured by the alleged drunk driver would be a potential Michigan dram shop case against the seller or furnisher of the alcohol before the accident. At the very least, she should hire the best possible lawyer to look into these possibilities.

Richard G. Pinchoff, 28, was killed in an Ann Arbor drunk driver accident that took place on I-275 in Van Buren Township.  The auto accident took place on Sunday, April 10th, around 1:00 a.m.  According to police, a man was driving the wrong way on I-275 and crashed into Pinchoff’s vehicle head-on.  The negligent driver appeared to be driving under the influence and suffers non-life threatening injuries.

I am very sorry to hear about this tragic accident. My condolences go out to the family of the deceased victim.

Our Ann Arbor drunk driver accident attorney advises victims of their legal rights. For this type of Michigan auto accident, the family members of the deceased victims may be able to make a claim for Survivor Loss Benefits. This can include payment of funeral expenses, lost wages, and loss of other services.

Also, the family members of the deceased may have a claim for a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent driver. At the very least, they should hire the best possible accident lawyer to look into these possibilities.

The injured victim may be able to submit a claim forMichigan No-Fault insurance benefits. No-Fault benefits will cover their medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the accident. The injured individuals can claim these benefits even if they did not have a Michigan automobile insurance policy and even if they are determined to be at fault.

Ann Arbor drunk driving accident lawyer offers FREE drunk driving accident book to residents of Ann Arbor.

Our Ann Arbor drunk driving accident lawyer offers FREE Michigan drunk driving accident book to victims as a practical guide to understanding your legal rights in Michigan. “The Michigan Drunk Driving Accident Handbook” sells for $14.95 on Amazon but our Ann Arbor drunk driving accident lawyer will send it to you for FREE.

Click Here To Receive Your Free Michigan Drunk Driving Accident Book.

“The Michigan Drunk Driving Accident Handbook” explains Michigan drunk driving accident cases in easy to understand language. It also how to sue the drunk driver and owner of the car, what it takes to sue the bar, store, or restaurant that sold the liquor, an explanation of the Michigan Dram Shop Laws, why you need a lawyer when dealing with the insurance company, how to get the best money settlement for your injuries, and who must pay your medical bills and lost wages. Additionally the book explains the secret deadlines that will destroy your Michigan drunk driving accident case if you delay in hiring a lawyer and the crucial questions that you must ask before you hire a lawyer.

In Michigan, there are strict limitations for filing a drunk driving accident lawsuit so you should act quickly so that your case is not destroyed due to a delay in taking action. If you or a family member suffers injuries due to an Ann Arbor drunk driving accident, call us now at (800) 606-1717 to speak with an experienced Ann Arbor drunk driving attorney about your case. And don’t forget to request your FREE drunk driving accident book as a resource on Michigan dui accident cases.

I just came across a tragic news story regarding a Lenawee County drunk driving accident that took the life of a fifty-one year old woman.  According to the report, Judith Ekquist of Clinton Township, was standing in her son’s driveway when a vehicle driven by Anthony Kolbus of Tecumseh left the roadway and struck them both.  Ms. Ekquist suffered fatal injuries and her son was also injured.

What was planned to be an innocent summer walk turned into a tragedy because of a drunk driver. My thoughts and condolences go out to this family.  I certainly hope that her son has a quick and speedy recovery.  Mr. Kolbus was arraigned on criminal charges and is awaiting his preliminary examination.  He is apparently free on bond until the next proceeding, which is probably most disturbing to the family.  The issue of bond can be addressed by the court at a later time.

In addition to the criminal charges, there are also civil claims that can be brought by the accident victims and their families.  The victims are entitled to receive Michigan No-Fault Insurance benefits to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and other benefits.  These claims are typically made against their own auto insurance policy.  For a complete explanation of these benefits, read our book “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook.”

Further, the family can make civil claims against the drunk driver and possibly the person or establishment that served him alcohol prior to the accident.  This could give rise to a Wrongful Death lawsuit.  There are strict deadlines for these claims so it is essential to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.