You did everything right. You carried insurance, drove carefully, and the other driver still hit you and had no coverage. Now the bills are landing, your vehicle may be out of commission, and you're fielding calls from adjusters who work for the same company you've been paying premiums to for years. That is a frustrating position to be in, and it's one we see often.
At Kajy Law Firm, we represent accident victims across Detroit, Southfield, Dearborn, and the surrounding metro who were hit by uninsured drivers. Michigan's no-fault system gives you options even when the at-fault driver carried no coverage.
Our job is to identify every available path and pursue the one that puts the most money in your pocket.
We handle these cases on contingency. You pay nothing upfront, and no attorney fee unless we recover for you. The first conversation is free.
Call Kajy Law Firm: (248) 702-6641| Free consultation. No fee unless we recover.
Injured in an Accident? Call Kajy Law Now!
Why You Need a Detroit Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer on Your Side
When the at-fault driver has no insurance, your own insurer steps into a role it did not expect to fill. And here is the part many people don't realize until it's too late: your own insurance company still has a financial incentive to pay you as little as possible. That is not a criticism. It is simply how the business works.
Your Insurer Is Not a Neutral Party
Filing a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage places you in a claims process that looks friendlier than it is. Adjusters may question the severity of your injuries, dispute the accident reconstruction, or apply policy language in ways that shrink the payout.
An attorney who has worked these cases in Wayne County and Oakland County courts understands those tactics and knows how to respond.
Michigan's No-Fault System Is Not Simple
Michigan operates under a modified no-fault structure that separates your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits from your uninsured motorist coverage. PIP handles medical expenses and partial wage replacement regardless of fault.
UM coverage addresses the non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, that PIP does not touch. Managing both claims simultaneously, meeting separate deadlines, and coordinating between the two coverage types is where unrepresented claimants most often lose ground.
Evidence Has a Short Shelf Life
Skid marks fade. Witnesses move. Surveillance footage gets deleted on a 30-day cycle. Our team moves quickly to preserve the evidence that supports your account of the accident, because the window to collect it is narrower than most people expect.
Deadlines Are Unforgiving
Michigan law sets a general three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. But your UM policy may require notice and claim submission on a much shorter timeline.
Missing a policy deadline can eliminate your right to UM benefits even if you are still within the legal window. We track every relevant date from the moment you retain us.
Not sure what your policy covers? Call (248) 702-6641. We review policies at no charge.
Hear From Our Clients
What Makes Uninsured Motorist Claims in Michigan More Complicated Than They Look
These are not straightforward claims. Most clients come to us after hitting at least one of the following obstacles on their own.
- Your insurer disputes the other driver's uninsured status. We obtain official verification and document the coverage gap so there's no ambiguity in the file.
- Your PIP carrier and your UM carrier are pointing at each other. Coordination of benefits disputes between two coverage types under the same policy are common. We work through the language and push for resolution.
- The adjuster says your injuries were pre-existing. We work with your treating providers to establish the causal link between the accident and your current condition, documented in the medical record.
- The at-fault driver fled the scene and was never found. Michigan UM policies often include hit-and-run provisions. Whether those apply depends on specific policy language and how the incident was reported.
- Your policy limits feel inadequate. We review whether additional coverage layers exist under household policies, umbrella coverage, or other sources before concluding the UM policy is the only option.
- The insurer sends a low settlement offer quickly. Early offers in UM claims are often exploratory. Accepting one before your injuries are fully documented can waive rights to future recovery.
If any of these sound familiar, a case review with our team can clarify where your claim stands and what your realistic options are.
Michigan Uninsured Motorist Law: What Applies to Your Claim
Michigan's legal framework for uninsured motorist accidents is different from most other states. Understanding the basics helps you make better decisions from the start.
Michigan No-Fault PIP Coverage Comes First
Under the Michigan No-Fault Act, your own PIP coverage pays reasonable and necessary medical expenses and a portion of lost wages after any car accident, regardless of who caused it.
The coverage tier you selected when purchasing your policy governs the limits. Michigan drivers now choose from several PIP levels, including unlimited and capped options. You can review the current framework at the Michigan Legislature's No-Fault Act page.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Addresses What PIP Does Not
UM coverage in Michigan typically picks up non-economic damages that PIP excludes, primarily pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and similar categories. It also may address economic losses that exceed your PIP limits.
The specific terms vary by policy. Michigan does not require drivers to carry UM coverage, so not every policy includes it.
The Three-Year Statute of Limitations
Michigan's general personal injury statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. However, UM claims are governed by your insurance contract as much as by state law, and policy deadlines are often shorter. We flag every applicable deadline at intake and monitor them throughout the case.
Comparative Fault and How It Affects Recovery
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you bear some share of responsibility for the accident, your non-economic damages may be reduced proportionally. If your share of fault exceeds 50 percent, you may be barred from recovering non-economic damages entirely. Accurate documentation of how the accident occurred protects your position on this issue.
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) provides consumer guidance on coverage disputes and the complaint process for Michigan policyholders.
Note: This page reflects general legal information about Michigan law. It is not legal advice specific to your situation. Deadlines and coverage rules can change. An attorney should review the details of your case and your policy before you make any decisions.
What Compensation May Be Available After an Uninsured Motorist Accident in Detroit
The categories of loss you may be able to pursue depend on your coverage, the facts of the accident, and Michigan law. We work to identify every available source of recovery, not just the most obvious one.
Medical Expenses
Your PIP coverage handles reasonable and necessary medical costs up to the limit you selected. For losses that fall outside PIP, UM coverage or other sources may apply. Comprehensive documentation of all treatment strengthens every part of this calculation.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Michigan PIP includes partial wage replacement. Our team works to ensure those benefits are submitted correctly and that any income losses exceeding PIP limits are factored into the broader claim. Where injuries affect your ability to work long-term, that future impact may also be part of the recovery.
Pain, Suffering, and Impact on Daily Life
Non-economic damages are generally addressed through UM coverage rather than PIP. Michigan law permits recovery of these damages when injuries meet certain thresholds. Documenting how the accident has changed your daily functioning, sleep, relationships, and physical capacity strengthens this part of the claim.
Why Insurers Often Undervalue These Claims
UM claims are adversarial by nature, even when you're dealing with your own carrier. Initial valuations from adjusters frequently undercount future medical needs, minimize the documented impact of pain and suffering, or apply policy language narrowly.
We advocate for an accurate number, one that reflects what actually happened to you and what recovery actually requires.
Do I Have an Uninsured Motorist Claim in Detroit?
You may have a viable claim if another driver caused the accident, had no insurance, and your own policy includes UM coverage. You may also have options if the at-fault driver fled and was never identified.
What We Look at in a Case Review
- Whether the at-fault driver can be confirmed as uninsured or unidentified
- The specific UM coverage terms in your policy, including limits, exclusions, and notice requirements
- The nature and documentation of your injuries and their connection to the accident
- All applicable notice and filing deadlines under your policy and Michigan law
- Whether other coverage sources exist beyond the primary UM policy
Michigan's no-fault structure means your path to compensation looks different than it would in other states. A case review with Lawrence Kajy and our team helps you understand what actually applies to your situation, not what applies generically to accident victims.
Call (248) 702-6641 or visit 877kajycares.com. Free case review. Available 24/7.
Ask Kajy Law Firm
Will my own insurance actually pay me if the other driver had no coverage?
It depends on whether your policy includes uninsured motorist coverage and what that coverage specifically allows. Michigan does not require UM coverage, but many policies include it. If yours does, your insurer may be responsible for non-economic damages like pain and suffering that your PIP policy does not cover.
Your PIP coverage handles medical expenses and partial wage replacement regardless of the other driver's status. We review policies as part of every free consultation.
The driver who hit me drove away. Can I still make a claim?
Possibly. Many Michigan UM policies include hit-and-run provisions that treat an unidentified driver the same as an uninsured one. Whether those provisions apply depends on how the accident was reported, whether physical contact occurred, and the specific language in your policy.
We review these situations carefully because the answer is not always obvious from the policy text alone.
Can I sue the uninsured driver directly?
You may be able to file a civil lawsuit against an uninsured driver, but collecting on a judgment is often difficult if they have no meaningful assets. We evaluate both the civil lawsuit option and the UM claim option during a case review and recommend the path, or combination of paths, most likely to result in actual recovery, not just a judgment on paper.
FAQ for Detroit Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer
How long do I have to file an uninsured motorist claim in Michigan?
Michigan's general personal injury statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. However, your UM policy almost certainly includes shorter notice and claim-submission deadlines written into the contract.
Missing a policy deadline can eliminate your right to UM benefits even while you're still within the legal window. If you were hit by an uninsured driver, speak with an attorney before assuming you have time.
Michigan doesn't require UM coverage. How do I know if I have it?
Check your declarations page, which is the one-page summary of coverages and limits included with your policy documents. UM coverage will be listed there if you have it. If you can't locate your declarations page, your insurance agent can provide a copy.
Our office can also help you interpret the coverage terms once you have the document in front of you.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Michigan's modified comparative fault rule may reduce your non-economic damages proportionally based on your share of fault. If your fault exceeds 50 percent, you may not be able to recover non-economic damages at all.
The facts of the accident, the police report, witness statements, and any physical evidence all shape how fault is assessed. Strong documentation from the start protects your position.
How much does it cost to hire a Detroit uninsured motorist accident attorney?
Kajy Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost and no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. The initial case review is free.
This structure means your financial situation is never a barrier to getting qualified legal help after an accident with an uninsured driver.
What should I do right after being hit by a driver with no insurance?
Seek medical attention for any injuries, even ones that feel minor. Report the accident to law enforcement. Notify your own insurance company of the accident, but avoid giving a recorded statement to any adjuster before speaking with an attorney.
Contact Kajy Law Firm as soon as you're able. The steps you take in the first few days have a direct impact on the strength of any claim you pursue.
Detroit Area Legal Resources and Related Pages
Kajy Law Firm serves clients across the Detroit metro from our Southfield office at 18000 W Nine Mile Rd, Suite 1400. We handle car, truck, and motorcycle accident cases throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.
Related pages that may be useful:
For official insurance resources, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) maintains consumer guides on filing complaints and understanding your policy rights.
The Next Step Takes Less Than Five Minutes
You've already dealt with the accident, the other driver, and whatever your insurance company has told you so far. The next call should be one that actually works in your direction.
Lawrence Kajy and our team handle personal injury cases throughout the Detroit metro. We answer calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There's no fee to talk, and no obligation after we do. If we take the case, we work on contingency and get paid only when you do.
Southfield. Dearborn. Detroit. Wherever you are in the metro, we can help you understand what your claim is worth and what it takes to pursue it.
Call (248) 702-6641 anytime. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Kajy Law Firm | 18000 W Nine Mile Rd #1400, Southfield, MI 48075 | (248) 702-6641 | 877kajycares.com