I recently read an article about efforts to lower Michigan car insurance rates.  Melvin Hollowell, the state’s insurance advocate, recently called on the Governor and Legislature to reform the rules governing Michigan’s car insurance companies.  Michigan’s car insurance companies are charging some of the highest premiums in the nation and are making record profits at a time when high gas prices and economic anxiety have caused many people to drive less and to drive more slowly and cautiously when they do drive. 

Among the Insurance Advocate’s proposals is an idea to offer stripped-down insurance policies to low-income drivers who cannot afford traditional No Fault car insurance.  Although No Fault insurance is required by law, 20% of Michigan drivers (1 in 5) cannot afford a policy that meets the current statutory minimum level of coverage.  Although 20% may seem high, even this number masks geographic and demographic differences.  In some urban areas, as many as 55% of drivers do not have any insurance.

Until these proposals become law, the Michigan car accident attorneys at Buckfire & Buckfire recommend that you review your insurance policy to make sure you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.  Be sure to specifically request uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage from your insurance agent.  Simply asking for “full coverage” is not enough.

Both uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage are relatively inexpensive when compared to the rest of your insurance coverage.  In addition, a large amount of coverage can be purchased for a small amount.  Despite this, having this coverage can be extremely important.  In one of the cases my firm handled, the injured driver would have been able to collect an additional $480,000 if he had only bought uninsured motorist coverage for less than $80 per year!

The number of uninsured Michigan motorists is expected to increase into 2010, according to a new study.  The Insurance Research Council has found that the recession is likely to increase the number of uninsured motorists on the roads in all states for the remainder of 2009 and into 2010.  The study found a strong link between the number of uninsured motorists and the unemployment rate.  Michigan’s high unemployment rate has meant that the state has a very high rate of uninsured motorists.  Other states with high numbers of uninsured motorists include New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Florida.

The link between the number of uninsured motorists and the unemployment rate is unfortunate but understandable.  As people lose their jobs and cut back on expenses, car insurance is an easy thing to let go.  Many people seem to be willing to take the risk that they will not need to file a claim because they believe they will not be in a serious car accident.  Of course, then they may be without coverage if they ever are hit by another car.

An increase in the number of motorists without insurance has profound effects even for drivers who have maintained their car insurance.  When a negligent driver seriously injures someone, the accident victim may be able to sue the driver.  Most drivers simply do not have enough money to compensate accident victims for the full cost of their negligence, so the accident victim would collect his or her damages from the driver’s insurance company.  When the driver does not have insurance, an accident victim usually will not be able to collect any damages, unless the victim has uninsured motorist coverage.

Uninsured motorists coverage is an important part of any car insurance package, but many people do not have this coverage.  Many people think they do because they ask their agent for “full coverage” but this may or may not be included.  The Michigan car accident lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire would be happy to review your car insurance policy, or you can download car accident attorney Daniel Buckfire’s Michigan Car Insurance Report, which will explain the different types of car insurance to you.  This 8-page report is available for FREE for a limited time by simply clicking on the book title.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigancar accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance benefits are benefits available to people who have been injured in car accidents.  Because PIP benefits are provided by your insurance company in accordance with the Michigan No Fault Act, they are often referred to as No Fault insurance benefits as well.

PIP benefits are available to any insured person who has been injured in a car accident.  They are available without regard to fault, which means you can collect PIP benefits whether you caused the accident or whether you were the accident victim.  This is another reason they are called “No Fault” benefits.

PIP benefits include the following benefits.  More information about each individual benefit is available at our law firm’s website, www.BuckfireLaw.com.

• Medical expenses, including hospital bills, follow-up treatment, and the cost of prescriptions
• Wage loss
• Household replacement services
• Attendant care
• Case management services
• Home modification
• Medical mileage
• Special transportation
• Survivor loss

Although some of these benefits have fixed amounts the insurance company will pay, many of them are based on what is reasonable and necessary in light of the accident and your injuries.  For example, your insurance company is obligated to pay all reasonable and necessary medical expenses caused by the accident until the injuries heal.  This is not the case with household replacement services, which are limited to a maximum of $20 per day for three years after the accident.  Even this amount can be substantial, however, since $20/day comes out to over $7000/year for up to three years.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information. 

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Under the Michigan No-Fault Insurance system, a person who suffers injuries arising out of the use of a motor vehicle can make a claim for Michigan No-Fault Insurance benefits.  These include payment of medical bills, lost wages, attendant care services, household services, and other benefits.  It is not always clear which auto no-fault insurance is responsible for paying benefits.  To make this determination, the Michigan No-Fault Statute has what is called the “Order of Priority“ which lists which insurance company is responsible for paying benefits in every type of situation.

The Order of Priority is very important because injured persons are required to submit reasonable proof of their claims to the proper insurance company within certain time frame limits.  If a deadline is missed, the claim may be lost forever.  The determination as to which insurance company is responsible is often complicated and depends on a number of factors.  In general, a person injured in a motor vehicle accident would first make claim against his or her own no-fault insurance company in every situation, whether a driver, passenger, or pedestrian at the time of the accident.  This is the most basic scenario but matters become more confusing.

Our Michigan No-Fault Lawyers developed an “Order of Priority Chart” that uses a color coded flow chart to identify the proper insurance company in any scenario.  This chart is used by lawyers and medical providers to quickly determine which auto insurance company is responsible for paying benefits.  We will gladly send a copy to anyone requesting the chart.  Just call us at (800) 606-1717 and request one.

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Medical Mileage Benefits are one of the benefits that are available to injured drivers in Michigan through their No Fault insurance policy.  No Fault insurance benefits are available when a person has been injured in an accident involving a car, truck, SUV, or other motor vehicle.  Medical mileage is a very important benefit, but, too often, people who have been injured in car accidents fail to claim it because they do not know it is available or because they do not understand how it works.

Medical mileage benefits are payments that reimburse accident victims for mileage expenses to and from their medical appointments.  The exact amount is not set.  Instead the payment is reimbursement for a reasonable rate per mile.  Because the rate is computed on a “per mile” basis, the insurance company requires accident victims to record the date of their appointments, the name and address of the doctor, clinic, or hospital, and the distance to and from their home in miles.  This is so the insurance company can verify the medical mileage benefit is actually being used to pay for trips to and from a medical appointment.

Accident victims can make a claim for medical mileage by submitting a medical mileage claim form to their insurance adjuster.  A claim form can be downloaded for free at www.buckfirelaw.com.

Although medical mileage benefits are supposed to last for the entire time an accident victim needs to transportation to and from medical appointments related to the accident, an insurance company can deny any claim that is submitted more than one year after the date of the medical appointment.  Because of this, I always recommend my clients submit their claim forms every month.  This way their benefits are much easier to keep track of and it is easier for them to remember each appointment.  This helps them get the full amount they are entitled to.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information. 

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.