Pedestrian Accident Lawyer In Michigan

What are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Navigating the claims process for Michigan no-fault PIP benefits can be complex and challenging, with several common issues that can arise along the way.

Additionally, disputes over coverage and the role of medical providers can often complicate the process and delay the payment of benefits.

• Dispute over coverage: When an insurance company denies or limits the benefits you are entitled to, it can be especially frustrating when you are already dealing with the physical and emotional toll of an injury.
• Role of medical providers: Insurance companies may challenge the medical treatment you receive or dispute the necessity of certain procedures or treatments.
• Choice of medical provider: In Michigan, you have the right to choose your own medical provider for the treatment of your injuries. However, your insurance company may require you to undergo an Insurance Medical Examination (IME) with a doctor of their choosing.
• No-fault threshold: To file a claim for non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering) in Michigan, you must meet a certain threshold of injury severity. This means that you cannot simply file a lawsuit for any injury; instead, your injury must meet certain criteria to pursue additional compensation. Your PIP attorney can guide you on how to meet this threshold.

To avoid common mistakes and pitfalls in the claims process, it’s important to understand the requirements for filing a claim and notifying your insurance company in a timely manner. Failure to do so can result in the loss of your right to benefits.

Additionally, it’s important to keep detailed records of all medical treatment and expenses related to your injury.

Michigan’s No-Fault Law Explained

Pedestrians injured by a motor vehicle are always entitled to no-fault insurance benefits under Michigan law. These apply even if the driver doesn't own the automobile or has an auto insurance policy.

However, you must be a Michigan resident, or an out-of-state resident with a vehicle titled and insured in Michigan, to qualify for these benefits.

No-fault benefits will either come from your own car insurance, or from the car insurance of a family member that you reside with at the time of the accident. If neither applies, then you can get benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.

These benefits can include payment of lifetime medical bills, lost wages, attendant care services, household benefits, and payments for other medically necessary services and things.

Michigan’s No-Fault Law Explained

An experienced attorney can help get your medical bills paid for and your lost wages reimbursed under Michigan’s No-Fault insurance law. Similarly, they should work on a contingency fee basis. This means the attorney fee and costs of handling the case will be paid with a percentage of the settlement or judgment the client receives from their personal injury case.

Simply put, when you hire Wigod & Falzon, no recovery = NO FEE.

This law is increasingly complex and can present many traps for inexperienced lawyers. That’s why it’s important for an injured pedestrian or bicyclist to immediately report the incident to the police and contact a pedestrian accident lawyer.

A skilled lawyer can adequately explain what benefits you’re entitled to, who will provide them, and can assist you or your loved one in making the appropriate applications for those benefits.

P.S. If an application is not made within one year from the date of the accident, then the injured pedestrian/bicyclist is barred from collecting these free No-Fault benefits.