The Legal section explores developments shaping the justice system—from landmark court decisions and legislative updates to consumer protection issues and civil rights cases. Our Legal section coverage helps readers understand how new laws, legal trends, and significant verdicts impact individuals, families, and communities nationwide.
Despite the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding Missouri v. McNeely and essentially protecting operating while intoxicated (OWI) defendants nationwide from being forced to take blood tests without their consent unless police have a warrant, 13 states, including North Dakota and Minnesota, hav
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE PUBLISHED January 26, 2016: On January 26, 2016, T. Thomas Metier posted the article below regarding the time limitation to file a Colorado Underinsured Motorist Claim. This is a clarification to the 2-year statute of limitations for underinsured motorist claims specifically un
Honda has confirmed that a Takata airbag inflator ruptured during a July crash near Pittsburgh involving a 1991 Honda Accord, and that shrapnel from the rupture likely lead to the death of the young driver. This would be the ninth death linked to defective Takata…
Smith & Johnson’s partner, L. Page Graves, argued a case of first impression regarding liability against the MDOT for failing to maintain parallel parking spaces in reasonable repair for the safety of pedestrians exiting their motor vehicle, before the Michigan Supreme Court, dated December 9,…
Yesterday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration finally issued a long-awaited rule that requires an estimated 3 million commercial truck and bus drivers to electronically track the hours they spend at the wheel of their vehicles. The press release is here. Such drivers have been require
As we’ve all heard a thousand times, “you only have one chance to make a first impression.” Being well-groomed and well-dressed go a long way toward making that good first impression, but leading with a bright smile and fresh breath are key to sealing the…
If the defendant of a large truck accident is the truck driver, then the driver’s employer may be liable for the actions of their employee driver and liable for the company’s own negligence as well. Under theories of vicarious liability, if the defendant truck driver…
Since last week’s blog post, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued yet another published decision strengthening a medical provider’s independent standing to pursue no-fault benefits. The case is Chiropractors Rehabilitation Group v State Farm Mut Ins Co, found here. As has been the insurance indus
Trucking Accidents: Differences Between Large Trucks and Cars While the differences between large trucks and cars appear obvious to most, each year there are thousands of accidents that could have been avoided had traditional safe driving rules been followed. Underlying the majority of the differenc
The U.S. Department of Agriculture took over meat-inspection responsibilities at one of Utah’s largest meat packing facilities earlier this year, after critics raised an alarm about the state inspection program. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food provided inspection services at Dale T. Smit
The Michigan Court of Appeals has strengthened medical service providers’ rights under the Michigan No-Fault Act. On October 22, 2015, the court published a recent decision which upheld Covenant Medical Center’s claim against State Farm. Specifically, Covenant had notified State Farm of its billin
It’s hunting season! Crossbows were romanticized in The Walking Dead and The Hunger Games, but if you are thinking about getting one, there is something you should know about crossbows, particularly Barnett crossbows Barnett Jackal Barnett Ghost 350 Barnett Crossbows – Fast, Powerful and Dangerous…
