In this modern age, vehicles are basically a necessity in order for us to live our lives comfortably. But all that convenience brings with it a plethora of dangers. It’s easy to get distracted while driving, or simply let your mind wander during a particularly boring stretch of highway or slow traffic. But these seemingly small lapses in attention can lead to incredibly negative outcomes, ranging from debilitating injuries to death. So, if you’re in the Michigan area and you’re in need of legal assistance relating to your auto accident, then Kecskes, Gadd & Parker, PC can help.
Michigan is a No-Fault State
Determining who is to blame for an auto accident can be very tricky. Most cars don’t have dashcams and even those that do only have a limited field of vision. Michigan, along with a handful of other states, is a no-fault insurance state. Although this may seem as if it’s mostly related to auto insurance, it’s also a pertinent detail when discussing auto accidents and personal injury claims.
No-fault insurance, briefly defined, is a type of coverage that aids in paying for your medical bills if you’ve been injured in a car accident. This is regardless of who caused (or is “responsible”) the auto accident in the first place. The states that don’t have no-fault insurance instead employ what is known as “tort insurance.” Unlike no-fault insurance, tort auto insurance assigns fault. Since Michigan is a no-fault state, drivers can feel a bit more confident behind the wheel. Even if they’re responsible for the accident, the other driver’s insurance will still be able to pay for any claims.
When an auto accident takes place in the state of Michigan, neither one of the drivers will be held responsible for the accident itself. Due to this detail, insurance claims are usually paid out on faster, and there may be no need for litigation in order to establish who was at fault for the accident. This is not always the situation, however.
No-Fault Insurance Claims Can Still Lead to Lawsuits
As with most things, issues can still crop up, even in no-fault states. If you were gravely injured during an auto accident or a passenger lost his or her life and you believe the compensation you received wasn’t sufficient or substantial enough, then you will only have three years from the date of the auto accident to file a lawsuit. Insurers sometimes want to pay you less than you deserve, or take a long time to pay. This can all be a bit too much to think about, especially after your world gets rocked following an auto accident. Instead of worrying about whether or not you’ll receive fair compensation, you can work with the legal defenders at Kecskes, Gadd & Parker, PC. Give us a call today to schedule your initial consultation.
