Detroit, MI (November 15, 2023) – An allegedly drunk motorist collided with the rear of a police car on the Lodge Freeway early Tuesday evening, causing a state trooper to suffer injuries. A trooper from the Michigan State Police was blocking traffic on Michigan Highway 10 at Wyoming so a tow truck driver could load a broken-down car. A speeding driver rear-ended The MSP squad vehicle at around 7:15 p.m.. A 60-year-old Detroit woman was the suspect driver, who was also hospitalized. A blood test is still pending, though an investigation is still ongoing.
The injured victim and their family members are in our thoughts.
Injuries in Detroit Car Wrecks
Over the past several years, there has been a consistent increase in the number of car accidents across the country and in many individual states. Sadly, though many accidents nowadays are avoidable by reducing risky behaviors, including speeding, reckless driving, and driver distraction, they continue to happen.
However, if the motorist was careless or reckless, you may file a claim and get compensation for your injuries and other losses. Victims of automobile accidents usually face both long-lasting physical pain and suffering and significant economic difficulties. Brain injuries, burns, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, and other potentially deadly or permanent traumas are not uncommon, even in low-speed or seemingly minor incidents. After sustaining injuries and other losses through no fault of their own, victims often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, frustration, and confusion.
That said, Michigan’s personal injury statute can be confusing and complicated, and if you’re attempting to make ends meet following a car accident that was clearly the fault of another driver, the last thing you need is additional stress. Moreover, when victims try to negotiate with insurer adjusters on their own, these contacts will often do anything they can to avoid paying full and fair compensation.
If you retain the services of a seasoned attorney, you will increase your chances of being awarded the necessary compensation following an accident. Additionally, there are no out-of-pocket costs associated in the beginning when using a lawyer who works on a contingency basis. In other words, your attorney will not receive payment for his services unless and until your case is resolved favorably or you win in court. If and only if you win will you pay the attorney a portion of the money you win in a settlement, equaling around 40% of the total amount secured.
When it comes to personal injury cases, Christopher Trainor & Associates has the experience and knowledge to build a case that will win. You have nothing to lose by consulting with our lawyers about your legal options because we operate on a contingency basis and have a history of success in personal injury matters. Do not hesitate to call our Detroit office at 248-886-8650 if a negligent motorist has injured you.
Note:Our firm utilized outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified the facts regarding this accident. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates immediately so that we correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available about the accident. This post can be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. This post is not a solicitation for business.
Detroit, MI (August 10, 2023) – A Detroit man faces several counts related to a fatal Tuesday night crash in Eastpointe that police believe was caused by drunk driving.
The 52-year-old man is accused of causing a fatal accident while driving drunk, driving with a suspended license, and having an open container of alcohol in his car. On Thursday, he was arraigned and given a cash/surety bail in the amount of $600,000. If he is released, he will be required to wear a GPS tether, remain confined to his home, and abstain from alcohol and narcotics.
According to prosecutors in Macomb County, the suspect allegedly crashed into a man who was riding a battery-assisted bicycle near the corner of Gratiot Avenue and Stephens Road on Tuesday, August 8. EMTs rushed the victim to the hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
A cooler with ice and full beer bottles was apparently discovered in the suspect’s car by law enforcement, and he was arrested shortly thereafter for drunk driving.
No additional details in connection with the crash were released, though the investigation is still active at this time.
Our deepest condolences are with the family of the deceased victim.
DUI Accidents in Michigan
Tragically, being involved in a crash with an intoxicated motorist is an all too common source of trauma for drivers and pedestrians alike. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that nearly 10,500 persons died in alcohol-related car collisions in just one recent year. This equates to around 29 daily deaths or one fatality every 50 minutes.
Thankfully, if a drunk driver has left you with injuries or caused an accident that resulted in your loved one’s death, you have the option of filing a claim. A Michigan DUI accident attorney will investigate your case thoroughly to ascertain whether or not any other parties should be held accountable for your injuries.
To give just a few examples, these liable entities may include:
Whoever served alcohol to the intoxicated motorist, whether it was a restaurant, tavern, or store. Any establishment that served an obviously drunk customer who later caused an accident that resulted in bodily injury or death is liable for damages under the Michigan Dram Shop Act.
When an employee causes injury while acting in the scope of their work, the employer may be held liable for such damages. For this reason, an employer may be held liable if, say, a delivery driver drank alcohol before making a delivery.
A host who served alcohol to a minor in a social setting. Under some circumstances, the host of a party may be held liable if they provide alcohol to a minor who is not a relative and that minor causes an accident.
At Christopher Trainor & Associates, our team is well-versed in Michigan law on driving under the influence, so we know what it takes to build a strong claim. Moreover, our firm works on a contingency fee basis, so there is no risk or financial impact in discussing your case with us. If a careless driver has left you coping with injuries or mourning the death of a loved one, please contact our Detroit DUI accident attorneys at 248-886-8650.
Note:Our firm utilized outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified the facts regarding this accident. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates immediately so that we correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available about the accident. This post can be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. This post is not a solicitation for business.
A serious car accident injury that sends you to the hospital is bad enough, but at least you can rely on proper and competent medical treatment. Or can you? According to a study by the Center for Pediatric Trauma Research, the Center for Injury Research, and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital – maybe not.
Levels 1 and 2 trauma centers in the United States are judged to provide the best treatment for patients who are severely injured. However, it was found that one out of every three patients was treated at a lower level trauma center or at some other medical facility. Of these “under triaged” patients, 40% or more of them actually suffered traumatic brain injury.
Why are so many car accident victims undiagnosed? According to a study by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma, the problem includes:
Distance. Millions of Americans live miles away from a level 1 or 2 trauma treatment facility.
Decision making. It is not always evident to the patient and/or family that a person has suffered traumatic brain injury, so he or she may go undiagnosed or underdiagnosed.
Training. Not all medical personnel have the training that is required to treat traumatic brain injury.
Space and money. Not all U.S. hospitals and trauma centers have the facility to treat traumatic brain injury cases.
Patients as well as family members are urged to seek medical advice if they do not understand the treatment being applied and the reasons for it. Patients as well as family members should also seek advice from an attorney who has experience with trauma cases. An experienced attorney can provide free consultations or may have information concerning the tests that may be offered to the patient and the reasons for them.
In addition, if you have any concerns with how the patient or the case is being treated, contact an experienced failure to diagnose attorney from Michigan Legal Center who can help you seek a settlement for both the accident and the patient. An experienced auto accident attorney can help make sure that any medical care is covered in a financial settlement. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Making the decision regarding whether or not to testify at your trial is a challenge. Your Michigan DUI lawyer will advise you to carefully consider and weigh the many factors involved in the decision. You cannot be compelled to give testimony at your trial. However, if you do decide to testify, you automatically give the prosecution cross-examination rights; it therefore may be in your best interests not to testify.
On the flip side, jurors want to hear your testimony and sometimes draw adverse conclusions when a DUI defendant chooses not to take the stand. The jurors will have been instructed to presume innocence, which means that legally, they cannot infer anything from your decision to testify or not, but your Michigan DUI lawyer will tell you that this is something jurors find difficult to follow.
Why Jurors Need to Hear Your Testimony
Jurors want to hear a credible explanation from you regarding the many questions that arise during a trial. Why were intoxication symptoms claimed to have been observed by the arresting officer? Why does it appear that the blood test or breathalyzer results are over the legal limit? Sometimes, the defendant is the sole witness to everycircumstance and event that happened during, before and after the arrest. It thus often happens that the only witness available to the defense is the defendant.
Potential Legal Ramifications of Testifying
Some jurisdictions do not allow the defense counsel to make opening statements if counsel is not presenting any evidence. As previously mentioned, the defendant’s testimony is often counsel’s only evidence. Therefore, the case will be reduced to the officer’s word against the defendant’s, or the test results against the defendant’s word.
If you decide to testify, your Michigan DUI lawyer will inform you that an expert may be needed to clarify your statements concerning your consumption of alcohol. For instance, you may state that over a time period of three hours, you consumed 4 beers. Will the jury realize that the subsequent test result of .15 presents a contradiction in the evidence? Expert testimony is needed to explain that the consumption pattern you described would give a test number lower than the allowed limit. Without expert testimony, the jury may think that a .15 test result can be produced by 4 beers consumed over a period or three hours.
Contact Us
DUI cases can be difficult and complex. If you would like to consult a knowledgeable Michigan DUI lawyer regarding whether or not you should take the stand at your trial, please contact the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates at 800-961-8477.
There are a variety of field sobriety tests that law enforcement can administer in a DUI stopover to determine whether there is probable cause to arrest the individual for drunk driving. However, not all of these tests are reliable. A Michigan DUI lawyer with experience may be able to successfully defend the accuracy of the majority of these field sobriety tests and have the DUI case dismissed or the charges reduced.
Three Standard Tests Used By Law Enforcement
Studies funded by the Department of Transportation have concluded that there are three major field sobriety tests that yield the most reliable and effective results in detecting whether an individual is drunk and should be arrested on DUI charges. These three “standardized” tests include:
Nystagmus
One-leg-stand
Walk-and-turn
Studies show that the other field sobriety tests are simply too unreliable and can easily be disputed by a Michigan DUI lawyer to prevent or overturn a DUI conviction.
Use of the “Other” Field Sobriety Tests
Despite the overwhelming evidence against the use of the “other” field sobriety tests (that is, any other test than the three standardized tests mentioned above), some law enforcement agencies still continue to use whatever tests they prefer. The majority of the “other” field sobriety tests, such as the ability to recite the alphabet or the ability to write out statements in front of the officer, are very unreliable because they do not accurately reflect alcohol impairment and can be improperly administered. Furthermore, these tests are largely unfamiliar to most individuals performing them and are not in any way standardized, making them more difficult to perform.
If the arresting officer used one of these non-standardized tests to determine whether you were impaired and ultimately arrested you for drunk driving, your Michigan DUI lawyer will most likely be able to prove its lack of accuracy and have the evidence dismissed.
But regardless of what test is used, whether these “other” tests or the three “standardized” field sobriety tests, a good Michigan DUI lawyer should look at the facts surrounding the administration of the test to determine whether it accurately reflected whether in fact you were properly arrested for a DUI.
Contact Us
For more information about the accuracy of the field sobriety test administered in your DUI arrest, contact the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates at 800-961-8477 to schedule a complimentary consultation with an experienced Michigan DUI lawyer.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has developed three standardized field sobriety tests designed to indicate impaired driving. However, the results of these tests do not lead to an automatic DUI conviction. This is precisely why it is so important to hire a Michigan DUI lawyer to challenge and beat the test results – there is always a chance to avoid a DUI conviction.
Below is an overview of the three standardized field sobriety tests and what a good lawyer needs to look for to suppress or challenge the results during a DUI trial.
Coordination Tests
The two standard coordination field sobriety tests include the one-leg-stand and the walk straight line test. These are very sensitive tests that must be administered under specific circumstance in order for the results to be reliable. In order to determine whether these two tests produced reliable results, a Michigan DUI lawyer will need to examine both the conditions under which the test was administered and the defendant’s own physical coordination. These coordination tests are difficult for even a sober person to pass, let alone a person who has consumed some alcohol.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test
The horizontal gaze nystagmus test is one where the officer moves an object (like a pen) back and forth in front of somebody, watching how their eyes track the object. In determining whether a horizontal gaze nystagmus field sobriety tests was properly administered, the defendant must first be evaluated for naturally occurring nystagmus – in other words, if your eyesight is less than perfect, the test results may be contested. The Michigan DUI lawyer will generally test for this during the initial interview in his office. This will provide a baseline to determine if the officer properly administered the test and whether the results should be prevented at trial.
Contact Us
For more information about the specific field sobriety test that led to your DUI arrest and the methods of challenging the results, contact the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates at 800-961-8477 to schedule a consultation with a Michigan DUI lawyer. The first consultation is always free, and the sooner you receive qualified legal advice, the better-prepared you will be for your DUI trial.
Over the past several years, there has been a consistent increase in the number of car accidents across the country and in many individual states. Sadly, though many accidents nowadays are avoidable by reducing risky behaviors, including speeding, reckless driving, and driver distraction, they continue to happen.
Tragically, being involved in a crash with an intoxicated motorist is an all too common source of trauma for drivers and pedestrians alike. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that nearly 10,500 persons died in alcohol-related car collisions in just one recent year. This equates to around 29 daily deaths or one fatality every 50 minutes.