Have you been in an auto accident in Michigan and don’t understand what to do regarding your insurance issues?  Always refer to your own insurance plan first for details of what it covers. Michigan motorists are required to have personal injury protection, property damage insurance, and residual liability insurance.  With over 25 years of experience in dealing with auto accidents in Michigan and representing hundreds of people, I’ve found these questions to be the most important when dealing with any type of vehicle related accidents.  Click on a question below to find answers to your insurance issues;

The at-fault driver that hit me did not have any auto insurance.  Can I do anything?

I have something called underinsured motorist coverage on my auto policy.  What does that mean?

I was in a single vehicle accident where I lost control of my car and suffered injuries. Do I have any rights or benefits?

The at-fault driver’s insurance company adjuster contacted me for a taped statement.  Should I talk to the adjuster?

The insurance company wants to assign a case manager to monitor my doctor’s appointments.   What are my rights?

The at-fault driver that hit me did not have any auto insurance.  Can I do anything?

You Should Know:       Even if the driver who hit you did not have insurance coverage,
there may be other insurance policies that provide coverage for your injuries.  The at-fault driver may be permissively using the vehicle of someone who has insurance coverage which could provide a source of recovery.    If there is no coverage for the at-fault driver or the vehicle he/she was operating, you should check your own insurance policy to see if you have uninsured motorist coverage.  That coverage could provide you a source of compensation if you are hit by someone who was uninsured at the time of the accident.

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I have something called underinsured motorist coverage on my auto policy.  What does that mean?

You Should Know:       Underinsured coverage helps when you have suffered injuries in an
automobile accident caused by an at-fault driver where the at-fault driver has small liability limits.   If you suffered serious injuries (e.g., paralysis) and the at-fault driver had the minimum coverage allowed in Michigan ($20,000.00), underinsured motorist coverage allows you to collect the at-fault driver’s policy limits and then proceed against your own insurance company for a portion of the underinsured coverage you purchased.  

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I was in a single vehicle accident where I lost control of my car and suffered injuries. Do I have any rights or benefits? 

You Should Know:       If you purchased Michigan no-fault automobile insurance, you will be entitled to various no-fault benefits even if you were at fault.  Some of the benefits you may receive include getting medical bills paid, wage loss, medical mileage reimbursement, attendant care, replacement services, housing modifications, and transportation. 

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The at-fault driver’s insurance company adjuster contacted me for a taped statement.  Should I talk to the adjuster?  

You Should Know:      The representative for the at-fault driver is an employee of a Afor profit@ company.   When insurance companies pay out settlements, profits decline.  There is significant incentive for the at-driver’s insurance company to pay you the smallest settlement possible.   Before talking to the at-fault driver’s insurance company agent, it may be wise to contact an attorney and have the attorney inform you of the benefits and risks involved with talking to the at-fault driver’s insurance agent. 

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The insurance company wants to assign a case manager to monitor my doctor’s appointments.   What are my rights?

You Should Know:      An insurance company can assign a case manager to assist the insurance company.  If you have conflicts with the case manager or feel that the case manager is not performing well, you may appoint your own case manager.   You have the right to see your doctors without the case manager present.   The case manager walks a fine line between moving you through rehabilitation thereby reducing insurance company costs and making sure you receive all rehabilitative benefits.  

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If you further explanation regarding the above insurance issues or have more insurance related questions that deal with auto accidents, vehicle related accidents or an injury as a result of an auto accident, please contact me here or call me for a free initial consultation at 616-451-8596.  I look forward to helping you reach a positive outcome!