Bankruptcy in Detroit, Michigan

Bankruptcy in Detroit, Michigan

On July 18, 2013 Detroit became the largest city in the United States to file for Chapter 9 Bankruptcy protection. The estimated amount of the city’s long term debt is about $18 million. Around February of this year, Kevin Orr was appointed as the city’s emergency financial manager in an effort to turn the city’s financial crisis around. There are many reasons why the city of Detroit is bankrupt: a shrinking tax base caused by the decline in population, program costs for retiree healthcare & pension, borrowing to cover budget deficits, poor record keeping, antiquated computer systems and government corruption.

The population of Detroit has declined from its peak of 1.8 million in 1950 to about 700,000 in recent years. Kevin Orr hopes Detroit can emerge from bankruptcy by the late summer or fall of 2014 and states that they are treating the process “as expeditiously as possible.” Governor Rick Snyder is optimistic about the situation and looks to turn it from a negative to a positive. “Now is our opportunity to stop 60 years of decline,” he says. He believes bankruptcy will enable the city of Detroit to come out with a stronger, better city and a more efficient format that will help the city grow.


The city is still continuing its plans for a bond issue to fund a new arena for the Detroit Red Wings, a project that would cost $444 million which some are skeptical about. But Governor Snyder is confident that continuing the project makes good economic sense since it’s estimated to create 8,000 construction jobs as well as the jobs it will create once the project is complete.

Although some are uncertain that declaring for bankruptcy is the best option, major corporations like GM who have their headquarters in Detroit, are looking forward to this “clean start for the city.” Governor Rick Snyder knows many will see it as a low point in the city’s history but thinks “it will also be the foundation of the city’s future.” If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident in Detroit or any other city in Michigan, make sure you call Motor City Accident Attorneys. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful it can be and want to help you by standing up for your rights and getting you the compensation you deserve.

The Dangers of Whiplash

The Dangers of Whiplash

Whiplash, also known as a neck sprain or neck strain, is an injury that affects the neck. This injury is often caused as the result of being involved in a car accident. When you’re in a car accident, it’s common to be subjected to abrupt backward and forward jerking motions of the head, neck and shoulders. Whiplash symptoms sometimes take a day or two after the initial trauma to kick in. Symptoms like neck pain, neck stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain, back pain, arm pain, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, irritability and fatigue are common.

In whiplash, the inter-vertebral joints, discs, ligaments, cervical muscles and nerve roots may be damaged, usually after enduring heavy trauma. Usually, whiplash is not something that can be detected by getting a simple X-ray. The soft tissues (discs, muscles and ligaments) can’t even be seen on an X-ray, so to diagnose whiplash one must undergo special imaging tests like a CT scan or an MRI.

In order to treat whiplash, it’s suggested that you ice the area for the first 24 hours and then after that, introduce gentle but active movement to that area of the body. Since there are no actual treatments that have been scientifically proven to cure whiplash, doctors recommend the use of pain killers like Advil and Tylenol. It’s also suggested that those with whiplash seek physical therapy. It’s important to not shock the muscle but instead introduce it slowly to active movement again. Massaging, applying heat or ice, injections, and ultrasounds have been known to be successful as other forms of treatment.

Although there’s no way to actually prevent whiplash, many automobile safety advances have been made in an effort to help reduce the risks. Advances in seat belts and head restraints have been said to reduce the risk of whiplash but proper use of those advances is vital. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident in Detroit or any other city in Michigan, make sure you call Motor City Accident Attorneys. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful it can be and want to help you by standing up for your rights and getting you the compensation you deserve.