In Michigan during the past decade, more than 9,000 car accidents have been caused by drivers talking on their cellphones. More than 381 of those accidents occurred in Genesee County and 61 in Lapeer County. For a couple who was in a 2009 car accident caused by a distracted driver on a cellphone, these statistics don't surprise them. They just wish everyone would put their phones down and focus on driving.

The accident occurred in September 2009 when the victim's were on their way home from a bike outing. As they were approaching an intersection, they had the right of way, but slowed down because of the blinking yellow signal at the intersection. They were then hit by a 28-year-old woman talking on her cellphone. She had stopped at the stop sign, but continued through the intersection without noticing that the traffic from the other direction had the right of way.

The two cars collided sending both spinning, with one of them hitting a third vehicle. Luckily no one was seriously hurt and the woman, who failed to yield, received a ticket for her offense. Everyone was taken to the hospital and later released.

This case had a good ending in that there were no fatalities, but many car accidents can cause personal injuries that could last a lifetime. These physical, emotional and financial strains can be overwhelming. In Michigan, when people are injured in car accidents due to negligence, they can file lawsuits in civil courts to seek compensation from negligent motorists, their insurers and other parties, depending on the circumstances. An experienced attorney specializing in personal injury can help you figure out your options and provide you with an approach that fits your situation and benefits you the most.

Source: Mlive.com, "'I remember that bam:' Lapeer Township couple's van sent spinning after a distracted driver failed to yield," Sarah Schuch, Feb. 6, 2012