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As Michigan no-fault insurance lawyers, we recognize that when you are in an accident, understanding the Michigan no-fault insurance rules can be difficult. You will most likely have a lot of questions about what to do after you have been injured in an accident.

Determining the best path to recover compensation can be overwhelming. Should you file an insurance claim? Should you sue the at-fault party? How long do you have to pursue compensation? What types of damages can you recover?

Getting these and other questions about no-fault insurance in Michigan answered by an attorney can help guide you about how to proceed with your case. It is a good idea to compile a list of questions you have, so that you can be prepared for your meeting with a lawyer. Speaking with a lawyer can also give you a better understanding of how a legal team might handle your case.

An attorney who has experience with no-fault insurance claims can help guide you through each step of the process and help you make the right decisions for your case.

Common Questions About No-Fault Insurance

To help give people a better understanding of Michigan’s no-fault insurance system, we try to answer the most frequently asked questions here. Some of the common questions we are asked include:

  • What does no-fault insurance cover?
  • How much is no-fault insurance?
  • Do I need a lawyer to get no-fault benefits?
  • Does no-fault insurance cover my family?
  • Can I sue an insurance company for not paying benefits?
  • Can I get no-fault benefits if I did not have car insurance?
  • Who pays my medical bills after a car accident?
  • How much can I get for lost income?
  • Can family members get paid for attendant care services?
  • When and where should I file my no-fault claim?

We have answered many of the questions above to the best of our ability. While these answers are a good jumping off point, they are no substitute for speaking directly with an attorney about your case. You probably have many questions that are unique to your situation and may need the attention of an excellent Michigan no-fault attorney.

Getting Your No-Fault Questions Answered

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident and have questions about your no-fault insurance claim, you should seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Call us after your car accident for a free, no-obligation case review to tell us your story.

Having a skilled lawyer to help you form your Michigan no-fault insurance claim can be an essential part of your case. Our no-fault insurance attorneys at Buckfire Law Firm are experienced in these types of claims.

We can work to gather evidence, calculate damages, and negotiate the best settlement for your case. Don’t hesitate to ask us anything about your claim we are eager to assist you!

Call us now. We are waiting to help you.

PIP benefits are actually Personal Injury Protection Benefits under the Michigan No-Fault Insurance laws. They are available for people injured in most motor vehicle accidents in Michigan. They include payments for lost wages, medical expenses, attendant care services, household services, and other benefits.

Independent medical examinations are very common for cases involving no-fault insurance claims. These independent medical examinations are set up by the insurance company and performed by a doctor that that insurance company hires. If your insurance company sets up an independent medical, you are required to attend.

Many of these doctors perform these evaluations in their own offices. Other doctors see claimants at the offices of a medical examination company. These doctors are essentially “hired guns” for the insurance companies. Their main goal is to recommend cutting off or reducing your benefits. If your insurance company has scheduled your exam, you should contact our lawyers immediately.

You need to call your insurance company, or agent, and let them know you were injured in an accident. They often will take your claim over the phone and assign you a claim number. You will then be provided an Application for No-Fault Benefits form to complete and return to the adjuster. This is the start of the claim.

You do not need a lawyer to get no-fault benefits. You can submit the required forms to the insurance adjuster on your own. The adjuster may ask for additional documents, like proof of wages, and you can submit those as well.

Many times, the insurance company will pay your bills and expenses without a hitch. However, if payments are delayed or denied you will want to hire a lawyer.

A no-fault policy covers all family members living in the same house. Personal injury protection benefits will be paid even when a family member is a passenger in another person’s car or is a pedestrian when an accident takes place.

If you do not have a car but live with a relative with car insurance, you can claim no-fault benefits under their auto insurance policy.

Medical bills are paid after a car accident by the auto insurance company. It is important to determine which company is responsible for paying bills. There is a strict method of determining which company must pay and this depends on a number of factors. It is important to identify the proper insurer so that claims are submitted before time deadlines expire.

Medical bills are paid after a car accident by the auto insurance company. It is important to determine which company is responsible for paying bills. There is a strict method of determining which company must pay and this depends on a number of factors. It is important to identify the proper insurer so that claims are submitted before time deadlines expire.

If you cannot work due to an accident-related injury, you are entitled to make a wage loss claim. You can get 85% of your lost wages for up to 3 years after your car accident. You must provide proof of earnings and employment.

If you were temporarily unemployed but actively looking for a job, you can still get wage loss benefits. You need to prove that you were contacting prospective employers or submitting job applications to collect to make your wage claim.

Your wage loss benefits are not taxable. You receive 85% of your wages under the law and this takes income taxes into consideration. You should advise your tax preparer you are receiving wage benefits, but you are not taxed for them.

If your benefits are delayed, denied, or terminated, you can file a lawsuit against the insurance company. The case demands payment of all unpaid benefits, as well as attorney’s fees and judgment interest.

The lawsuit must be filed within one year of the date the expenses were incurred. For example, if you incurred a hospital on January 1, 2020 you must file your no-fault lawsuit on or before December 31, 2020.

Family members can get paid to perform attendant care services. These are services like assistance with feeding, toileting, bathing, and dressing. Providing supervision and monitoring to an injured person is also a paid benefit.

Under Michigan law, if you were driving your own uninsured vehicle at the time of the accident then you cannot claim benefits. However, if you were driving someone else’s uninsured vehicle and were injured you can get benefits. The same is true for suing a negligent driver for personal injury damages.

Many motorists choose uncoordinated benefits in their auto policy.

Uncoordinated benefits mean that both the health insurance company and the auto insurance company pay the same amount in coverage. May people refer to this as a “double dip.” For example, your Blue Cross might pay a hospital $25,000 for bills related to a car accident. With uncoordinated benefits, your auto insurer must pay the same amount to you.

Uncoordinated benefits also apply to wage loss claims. So, if your short term disability insurer pays you $ 10,000 in lost wages, your auto insurer must send you a check for the same amount. This is a great choice in coverage.

Coordinated insurance benefits are when your health insurance pays for your medical bills before your auto insurance company does. Your medical provider will bill the health insurer for accident-related injuries. Any co-pays or out of pocket expenses can then be submitted to the auto insurance company for reimbursement.