Whose insurance pays when there’s a multi-vehicle pileup in Michigan? Your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance would pay for your own medical bills, lost wages, and more in a multi-vehicle pileup in Michigan, while your collision insurance would cover vehicle damage.
If you have been in a multi-vehicle pileup, working with a Lansing car accident lawyer can help you approach the situation with confidence.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage After a Multi-Vehicle Pileup
Personal injury protection is a mandatory portion of your auto insurance designed to get you compensation quickly. It may cover aspects relating to your injuries after an accident. These may include:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical procedures related to the accident
- Adaptive equipment that is required due to your injuries
- In-home assistance needed resulting from injuries
- Lost wages due to injuries affecting your ability to work
Understanding what is and isn’t covered can be confusing. Working with a lawyer can help find out if you should use your own auto insurance if you weren’t at fault or explain how to strengthen your case so you receive the full amount you are owed after an accident.
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Property Damage Claims in Michigan Multi-Vehicle Accidents
In Michigan, property damage, such as damage to your vehicle, is covered by your own auto insurance as part of your collision coverage. While this coverage is not mandatory, it can mean the difference between having your vehicle repaired or replaced and being left to pay out of pocket. There are three forms of collision insurance, including:
- Limited collision coverage: Your insurance only pays if you are less than 50% at fault and you are responsible for the deductible.
- Standard collision coverage: Your insurance pays regardless of fault; however, you pay the deductible
- Broad form collision coverage: Your insurance pays regardless of fault, and you only pay a deductible if you are at fault; otherwise, you pay nothing.
The type of collision coverage you have, as outlined in Michigan’s auto insurance law, is a key factor when determining whose insurance pays in a multi-car pileup in Michigan.
Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance System and Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Michigan is a “no-fault” state and therefore requires no-fault insurance coverage. As a no-fault state, you are generally covered by your own insurance for most circumstances. There are some key advantages and disadvantages of being a part of a no-fault system.
Advantages of this system can include faster claims, reduced lawsuits, quicker access to medical care coverage, and coverage in the event that you are responsible. This means that even if you are responsible for the accident, you may still be entitled to benefits.
There are some downsides to the no-fault system. These can include a limited ability to sue a responsible party, fewer penalties for negligent drivers, potential for underinsurance, and higher premium costs. One of the best ways you can protect yourself is by ensuring that you are properly insured so that you are covered regardless of whose insurance pays in a multi-car pileup.
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How Fault Can Affect Additional Compensation After a Pileup
While your own insurance pays when there’s a multi-car pileup in Michigan, there are scenarios in which you may be able to recover compensation from another at-fault party. This is generally reserved for situations that are extreme and are not covered by standard insurance. These can include:
- Excessive wage loss
- Pain and suffering
- Excess medical costs
- Additional property damage, up to $3,000 (MCL 500.3135)
This is one example of why proving fault is still necessary, even if Michigan is a no-fault state. While your insurance may cover the bulk of your expenses, working with an attorney may be able to help you recover further damages for what you have endured.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Multi-Car Pileups Can Have Devastating Consequences
In the event of a tragedy where a wrongful death occurs, there may be questions regarding whose insurance would pay in a multi-car accident. In this instance, the deceased driver’s PIP insurance generally pays for funeral costs and survivor loss benefits.
Per Michigan law MCL 500.3108, survivor loss benefits often include up to 85% of wages the deceased would have earned to help support dependents and the value of items such as health insurance that their employment may have provided.
There is also often potential for a pain and suffering lawsuit. While financial compensation cannot ever make up for what a victim’s family lost, it may be able to help ease the burden of expenses. Working with a Lansing wrongful death lawyer can help fight for justice and work to secure the highest possible settlement for your suffering.
How Insurance Companies Handle Claims in Multi-Vehicle Accidents
When determining who is liable and whose insurance pays in a multi-vehicle collision, insurance companies have to review all of the evidence in the accident. When multiple vehicles are involved in a collision, it can make determining fault challenging.
Oftentimes, liability does not fall just on one person, and percentages are assigned. These percentages can affect how much you end up paying out of pocket. If you are assigned fault, you may not be covered depending on how much and the type of coverage you have.
Working with a Lansing personal injury lawyer is one way you can help protect yourself. They can help you build your case by reviewing evidence, speaking with witnesses, and analyzing the situation, and may be able to help prove that you were not responsible for the accident.
White Law PLLC Is Here to Help
Being involved in a multi-car pileup can be traumatic on its own, much less if you are injured. You do not have to face the aftermath alone.
At White Law PLLC, we are here to help you secure the highest payment possible for your injuries and suffering. You deserve justice, and we are here to fight on your behalf. Contact us today for your consultation to get started.
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