Who is At Fault for a Michigan Car Accident?
If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you know how frustrating and life-changing it can be. Especially if you’re suffering injuries. So how is it determined who is at fault for a car accident in Michigan?
Well, Michigan is a no-fault state. That means that every driver is entitled to coverage for their injuries and property damage from their insurance company, regardless of who was at fault.
There are limitations to the no-fault system, however. Sometimes proving negligence is required. And insurance companies are highly adept at reducing payouts and leaving victims of car accidents financially vulnerable. That’s why hiring a Michigan car accident attorney is crucial.
HOW IS IT DETERMINED WHO IS AT FAULT FOR A CAR ACCIDENT IN MICHIGAN?
As mentioned above, Michigan is a no-fault state.
Legislators created this system because it’s not always clear who is at fault for a car accident. No-fault gives all drivers peace of mind that their insurance companies will cover them for injuries and damages that occurred as a result of the accident.
There are limitations to the no-fault system though. And insurance companies are skilled at reducing payouts and leaving victims of car accidents financially vulnerable. Plus, while the benefits provided by no-fault insurance may be enough to cover your expenses, the no-fault reforms passed in 2019 allow drivers to purchase different levels of coverage. These limited no-fault policies may cover as little as $50,000.00 and be insufficient to cover all the medical bills related to accident injuries.
PROVING NEGLIGENCE IN A CAR ACCIDENT
Depending on the specifics of your accident, you, the other driver, or even more than one party could be held liable. Determining fault in these cases most commonly comes down to proving negligence for one or more drivers.
To prove negligence, it must be shown that the motorist ignored his or her duty to drive safely and reasonably. Examples of breaching this duty of care include speeding, inebriation, texting behind the wheel, or any other form of reckless driving. If these are clearly proven, any driver can be considered at-fault for an accident.
Of course, determining liability for a car crash claim is often complicated. There are no one-size-fits-all procedures and each case is unique when it comes to gathering and presenting evidence to identify possible liable parties.
WHAT IF YOU CAUSED THE ACCIDENT?
If it’s been established that you were clearly at fault for your accident, you might think your case has no worth and feel there’s no point in getting a team of Michigan auto accident attorneys on your side. You’d be wrong though. There are many reasons to hire a lawyer when you’re at fault.
First among them is ensuring you get compensation through your PIP (personal injury protection) claim. Because if you’ve kept up paying your monthly premiums but the insurance company refuses to pay out because the accident was your fault, they’re in violation. This is called bad faith practices and experienced car accident lawyers know how to work with claims adjusters in this situation.
Obviously, you can take on the insurance companies alone. But if you’re already dealing with pain from your injury, why put yourself at such a high risk position on top of everything else? A dedicated team of experienced car accident lawyers knows how to take on insurance companies to litigate and recover damages for you.
Are You Seeking Skilled Car Accident Representation in Michigan?
Determining who is at fault for a car accident in Michigan differs from one case to the next.
So if you have questions about your car accident, call Kajy Law today at 877-KAJY-CARES for trusted legal assistance. You can also fill out our online form to request a FREE consultation.
Our team of dedicated car accident attorneys will assess the facts of your case to determine liability and get you the maximum compensation. No matter who is at fault.
CONTACT US FOR HELP TODAY!
Call 248-702-6641 or fill out the form below.