The Elia & Ponto Law Firm

What to Do If You’re in a Bicycle Accident in Michigan

Bicycle accidents have been on the rise in Michigan despite fewer vehicles out on the road since the start of the pandemic. 1,235 bicycle accidents were reported in 2020 alone; of which, more than 900 resulted in major or minor injuries and 38 resulted in death. Most bicycle fatalities occurred between the hours of 4 PM and 5 PM during rush hour.

Want to know how to stay safe while biking this summer? Here are a few helpful reminders about Michigan bike safety.

When Do You Need a Michigan Boat Accident Lawyer?

When Do You Need a Michigan Boat Accident Lawyer?  
Suffered injuries in a boating accident? Elia & Ponto PLLC can help!

Pure Michigan. The Great Lakes State. Home to 90% of America’s surface freshwater—more than 20% of the world’s surface freshwater—and ideal for outdoor-lovers of all kinds. We’re a state well-known for relaxing summer lake days, great fishing, and coastal adventures. And that means a lot of boats. More than one million, in fact. In the year 2020 alone, 181 boating accidents were reported, costing more than $2 million in damages.

What to Do After You’ve Been in an Uber or Lyft Accident

In today’s modern age of technology and transportation, most people have found themselves using rideshares. Companies like Uber and Lyft have seen a massive boom over the past five years as transportation comes “online” in brand new ways.

When to Contact a Lawyer After a Car Accident

Car accidents can be scary, particularly if you’ve experienced significant damage to your vehicle, other personal items, or even yourself. You may be wondering what options are available to you outside of insurance to help you cover your losses. That’s where a personal injury attorney can help.

But let’s backtrack for just a moment.

You’ve just been in an auto accident—what do you do first?

Michigan No Fault Insurance Basics

Michigan is one of a dozen US states that requires no-fault insurance. But what exactly does this mean? The principle behind no-fault insurance is to lower the overall cost of insurance by requiring policy holders to file claims with their own insurance companies.

How does this lower costs? Well, “traditional” auto insurance requires a determination of who was at fault for the accident. This means that even some of the most simple or “small” claims can make it into the court system for a formal decision. Once it is determined who is at fault, that individual’s insurance company then pays out the claim. As you can probably image, this can create a significant amount of backlog in the system, which then increases costs for insurance companies and policy holders.