No-Fault Accident... Who Pays?

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Michigan is a no-fault state for auto insurance purposes. This means that you’ll need to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage on your auto insurance policy. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you will file a claim through your own insurance provider—no matter who caused the wreck—to recover a portion of your losses.

The insurer will cover a portion of your lost wages and medical expenses up to the limits of your auto insurance policy. The remaining amount will need to be recovered by bringing a civil claim against whoever is found liable for the cause of your wreck and subsequent injuries.

Read on to learn more about negotiating with the insurance company and filing a civil lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Working with Your Insurer


You might think that dealing with your insurance provider would be straightforward. After all, you purchased an auto insurance policy through them to protect yourself in the event of a collision.

Unfortunately, it’s rarely easy to obtain the settlement you’re entitled to. Insurance companies are part of a for-profit industry, meaning they lose money every time a claim is paid out. For this reason, dealing with the insurance company can be quite difficult, as its goal is to reduce the amount of your settlement by any means possible.

Insurance adjusters are known for using unscrupulous tactics, including manipulating the statements given by well-meaning claimants. By making you appear more at-fault for the accident, for example, the insurance company can pay you less than you’re owed, as per modified comparative negligence laws.

Other tactics include offering a significantly decreased settlement offer to a claimant who might not realize the full value of his or her claim. Your attorney can help protect you from these tactics by acting as your representative during settlement negotiations.

Our personal injury attorneys have years of experience handling these underhanded insurance strategies, and we will fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve.

Bringing a Claim Against the Liable Party


After your insurance company has paid out on your claim based on the limits of your policy, you’ll need work with the other driver’s insurer for their portion of your damages. Once the liable driver’s policy has reached its limit, you might need to pursue a civil lawsuit against the person or persons culpable for your damages.

A civil lawsuit is where you’ll be able to recover any damages that you experienced as a direct result of the accident. These can include one or more of the following:

  • Medical costs
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage
  • Damage to your earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Inconvenience
  • Loss of household services
  • Loss of companionship and love
  • Emotional distress

Your attorney will review your losses to ensure that every single one is accounted for when calculating how much your claim is worth.

Speak to a Michigan Personal Injury Lawyer


If you’ve been involved in a no-fault accident, you might have to battle with the insurance company via a personal injury claim. Getting the compensation you deserve shouldn’t be difficult, but you might not be sure what the next step is. That’s where an experienced personal injury lawyer in Michigan can help.

At Christensen Law, we’re committed to fighting for your compensation. Start by scheduling your no-obligation consultation. Call our office, or complete the quick contact form at the bottom of this page.