Regardless who is at fault, Michigan’s no-fault policy provides unlimited medical and rehabilitation benefits, which saves time and money when medical bills need to be paid. This no-fault policy also provides wage loss benefits of $20 a day for up to three years. Additionally, damages to vehicles also fall under this system, though Michigan drivers must buy collision and comprehensive insurance. The no-fault policy means that disputes over who was at fault will not stall the payment of medical bills incurred due to vehicle accident-related injuries.
As such, Michigan law requires that every driver has no-fault insurance. Driving without it will result in a misdemeanor. If you were involved in an accident while driving without no-fault insurance, you can be sued and held personally liable. If injured, you would not be paid for wage loss, medical expenses, or any other no-fault benefits that would typically be covered by your own no-fault insurance.
While most economic losses incurred from an accident will likely be covered by no-fault insurance, wage loss extending beyond three years and non-economic losses such as pain and suffering may be addressed in a lawsuit, unless you are more than 50% at fault for the accident or did not have a valid policy of insurance at the time of the accident. Although your medical bills will be covered, you are also able to file a lawsuit if you can show that the injury severely impaired a bodily function or caused permanent disfigurement.
However, filing for a no-fault claim has a downside as it leaves you vulnerable to your insurance company’s policies. An adjuster will try to provide as little money as possible to close your claim. With the aid of an experienced law firm, you may be able to receive the compensation you deserve, making recovery a little less stressful.
At Fieger Law, we do exactly that. Our firm has been working with and going up against insurance companies since we were founded in 1950.