Smith & Johnson, Attorneys PC is the largest law firm in Northern Michigan dedicated solely to representing those who have been injured or killed by the negligence of others.
With summer tourism in full swing here in Northern Michigan, particularly with the upcoming Cherry Festival and 4th of July festivities in all our harbor towns and area inland lake communities, it is never too late or too redundant to advocate against drunk driving. It affects us…
On May 27, 2016, the Michigan Supreme Court has effectively signaled a complete 180 from its stated opinion exactly one-year ago, despite no change in the Court’s current composition of justices. Last May 28, 2015, the Michigan Supreme Court denied an application to appeal a decision issued by the
Before getting into an “Uber” car in Michigan, or for that matter becoming an Uber driver in Michigan, it would be prudent to thoroughly investigate the idea before proceeding with either plan. There are several inherent insurance related risks associated with doing so when it comes…
The Michigan Court of Appeals has just reaffirmed a boat owner’s duty and resulting liability to his/her passengers while boarding. The case is Lenhoff v Rechter, an unpublished per curiam opinion (Docket No. , dated May 12, 2016). In Lenhoff, the plaintiff was injured when she fell…
The Michigan Court of Appeals issued a published decision affirming the basic rule that an injured claimant’s generic notice of injury constitutes sufficient notice to a liable no-fault insurer. The case is Dillon v State Farm Mut Auto In Co, ___ Mich App ___ (May 3,…
Medical service providers must carefully adhere to the procedures and administrative guidelines set forth in participating provider agreements with primary health insurers. Failure to do so will prove fatal to any secondary no-fault claim. That is exactly what happened to a medical provider in a…
Jesperson v Auto Club Ins Ass’n, ___ Mich ___ (2016)(Docket No. 150332, dated March 21, 2016). In Jesperson, the injured person never submitted to the liable no-fault insurer, written notice of his no-fault PIP claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, more than a year after the accident,…
The Michigan Court of Appeals recently published a case that holds that a person who is injured while occupying an uninsured vehicle that is not operable may recover no-fault PIP benefits. The case is Shinn v State of Michigan Assigned Claims Facility, ___ Mich App ___ (Docket No. 324227,…
On February 9, 2016, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued a Published Opinion that restricts certain reimbursements for chiropractic care under the no-fault act. The case is Measel v Auto Club Ins Co. The basic facts are that Ms. Measal was injured (neck, upper back…
The Michigan Legislature is, again, debating a proposal to raise the speed limits for state and county roadways. The package of bills (HB 4423 thru 4427) have been passed by the House Transportation Committee (Chaired by Republican, Peter Pettalia, District 106) and will now be considered and deba
Winter has finally arrived with piles of fresh powder. And for snowmobilers across the State of Michigan, the trails of northern Michigan are increasingly becoming more populated. In Michigan, it is illegal to operate a snowmobile with a blood alcohol level equal or greater than .08. The newly re
It may seem obvious. It may seem an unnecessary public service caution to express. Especially for us northern Michiganders. But for whatever the reason, once winter returns the local news is ripe with car crashes occurring in our area, most often because a driver was…
