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Michigan Car Accidents Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Seeking Legal Advice After Traffic Accident

Last week, my wife was involved in a car accident where she was going straight and collided with a vehicle turning left. She asserts she was moving on a yellow light, whereas the other driver claims he waited for a red light to turn green and then moved. Following the incident, the police issued my... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 20, 2024

I think you'll find yourself coming out the same or better without hiring an attorney. The ticket isn't going to be significantly outcome determinate here. Your wife can ask for a formal hearing on it, and try negotiating for a zero point ticket for what it's worth. The insurance... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Seeking Legal Advice After Traffic Accident

Last week, my wife was involved in a car accident where she was going straight and collided with a vehicle turning left. She asserts she was moving on a yellow light, whereas the other driver claims he waited for a red light to turn green and then moved. Following the incident, the police issued my... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 20, 2024

One of your options might be to try to arrange a free initial consult with an attorney. I hope you wife is okay. Depending on whether she has the basis to move forward with a claim for her hand injuries, the determination of liability could be important in a comparative negligence setting with the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Does the value of a car before an accident matter in a mini tort lawsuit?

I am at fault, and did not have limited liability coverage. The driver I rear ended does not carry collision. He is suing me for the $3000 tort claim. His repairs are over $6000 but the car is only worth $1000 to $2000. Does this factor in at all?

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jun 13, 2024

Based on your post, the value of the vehicle does not make difference as to the amount of your potential personal liability for his property damage. But you will have to prove that the fair market value of the claimant's vehicle at the time of the accident is such that this should be a total... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Does the value of a car before an accident matter in a mini tort lawsuit?

I am at fault, and did not have limited liability coverage. The driver I rear ended does not carry collision. He is suing me for the $3000 tort claim. His repairs are over $6000 but the car is only worth $1000 to $2000. Does this factor in at all?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 13, 2024

Until you are able to speak with a local attorney, the practice applied by property damage adjusters in most places is to set a cap on the repairs as a percentage of the vehicle value. After a certain percentage, the vehicle would usually be declared a total loss, to avoid the exact kind of... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Does the value of a car before an accident matter in a mini tort lawsuit?

I am at fault, and did not have limited liability coverage. The driver I rear ended does not carry collision. He is suing me for the $3000 tort claim. His repairs are over $6000 but the car is only worth $1000 to $2000. Does this factor in at all?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 14, 2024

Michigan's auto insurance scheme is somewhat unique to Michigan. For purposes of mini tort, the value of the car makes no difference. What matters is the person's out-of-pocket costs, subject to the percentage of fault, and limited to $3,000. Commonly, mini-tort is used to compensate... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: What is the process to get a drivers license suspension by the Michigan Secretary of State overturned?

My license was suspended by the Michigan SOS for 3 months as a result of an accident resulting in a fatality. The overpass was icy due to a prior winter storm (the main roads were fine). I exited the express way to find a man on my left walking along the exit. The road curves to the left and down... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 1, 2024

Something appears missing here...how was the Secretary of State made aware of this incident to suspend your license? Normally that is through some court action. Did you at some point concede to a civil infraction perhaps?

You otherwise need to contact the secretary of state to see about...
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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Neurologists won't treat me until I provide proof of release from auto insurance policy from over 20 years ago

My old insurance only verifies or keeps records going back 7 years ( experience letter?) What can I do?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 8, 2024

Addendum - in thinking further about your question, one possibility, depending on the way the release was drafted, is that the neurologists may have concerns whether it permits reimbursement for medical treatment, known or unknown, which could preclude coverage for subsequent neurological testing?... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Neurologists won't treat me until I provide proof of release from auto insurance policy from over 20 years ago

My old insurance only verifies or keeps records going back 7 years ( experience letter?) What can I do?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 30, 2024

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. It isn't clear why neurologists want proof of a release from 20 years ago. If you've been involved in a recent accident, the symptoms and test results would be new, and not necessarily related to the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Insurance Defense and Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Can someone make a claim on your insurance if they don’t have insurance?

I simply bumped someone on the road, technically my fault. No damages, we don’t call the cops but I provide my id and insurance bc I’m dense. She texts me two days later asking for money for a deductible and when I tell her I’m not responsible she states if I pay her, she will not go through... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 20, 2024

Addendum - if you do reach a settlement, make sure that you have a signed release from the other side. A well-drafted release form confirms settlement terms and serves to wrap up the claim without leaving any loose ends. If your carrier agrees to make a payment, they will require a release anyway.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: My friend was hit in accident which hit another car truck drove off. Now my auto insurance progress wants to cancel and

Friend borrowed my truck. Accident now since live in midland and stay Gladwin sometimes progressive is sending my premiums back and saying no insurance for accident

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 29, 2023

A Michigan attorney should advise here, but your question remains open for two weeks. If the accident is being denied, and you had coverage in effect at the time, you should consider trying to arrange a free initial consult with an attorney. Ordinarily, the other truck driving off and leaving the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Municipal Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Michigan on
Q: I live on a very busy road and requested to have a circle driveway. I want to drive out head first, we were denied.

My car was totaled in front of my home due to speeders. Two lane road and turn lane. Speed limit 35 most do 55. We were denied a circle driveway because our in and out driveway would not be 100: feet apart. I feel like it is a life and death, safety issue. Road commisssion says too bad and denied... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 28, 2023

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. One option may be to look into other agencies - whether on a state or other level. It's possible the process could need the support of someone with expertise in traffic engineering and possibly civil... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Federal Crimes and Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: Any lawyers in Michigan willing to take a case against Modivcare (Medicaid nemt transportation).

This case may end up in federal court

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 10, 2023

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. It could be difficult for attorneys here to offer their services to you - the forum isn't set up like a referral service. The format is Q & A. If you've already been searching, you could supplement your... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Does pip have anything to do with pain and suffering

if your in a car accident and the accident caused your pastemaker to move and caused you to have breathing problems and to be on oxygen and then to have surgery doesn't that qualify for pain and suffering

if a person who passes away before a deposition can't a family member... View More

Eric Scott Steinberg
Eric Scott Steinberg
answered on May 2, 2023

In Michigan, PIP is not the same as pain and suffering. PIP refers to "personal injury protection" benefits. PIP benefits include the payment of hospital bills, doctors' bills, 85% of lost wages, household replacement services, attendant (nursing) care and other benefits.... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Does pip have anything to do with pain and suffering

if your in a car accident and the accident caused your pastemaker to move and caused you to have breathing problems and to be on oxygen and then to have surgery doesn't that qualify for pain and suffering

if a person who passes away before a deposition can't a family member... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 22, 2023

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Until you're able to consult with a local attorney, pain and suffering is generally an element of a bodily injury claim. It would depend on demonstrating the fault of the other party. In terms of the connection... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: In a pedestrian vs vehicle accident, who is typically responsible and how should insurance & medical bills be handled?

No long term medical issues occurred; however, basic emergency room costs amounted to ~$20k (~$5k after applied insurance). A campus police report is available but cannot be provided without request from insurance. We are currently awaiting word from BCBS subrogation dept.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 26, 2023

Only a Michigan attorney could advise, since states could differ as to PIP (personal injury protection) benefits, depending on the type of jurisdiction. But your question remains open for a week, and it sounds like you may be trying to arrange immediate medical care. In no-fault jurisdictions, the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Can a primary insurance policy holder see the police report of a car accident if they weren’t involved
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 20, 2024

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Until you're able to consult with a local attorney on state-specific laws, anyone who may be subjected to a liability claim can usually see the report. This generally includes registrants and owners. Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: At what point should an attorney know the opposing party’s insurance policy limits for a car accident in Michigan?

Who is a retention letter sent to?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 24, 2023

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. It could depend how long it takes the carrier's claim department to assign the file to a liability examiner. But in general, it can be early in the claim process if there is cooperation. Good luck

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Can I get a ticket for careless driving if I fell asleep while driving and accidently got into an accident?
Dana B. Carron
Dana B. Carron
answered on Oct 30, 2023

Yes. because you should not have been driving if you were so tired that you would fall asleep.

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Civil Litigation and Small Claims for Michigan on
Q: Vehicle considered Totaled after not at fault accident in Michigan. Can I file a Mini Tort or Small Claims?

My vehicle was totaled (Not at fault) due to an accident in Michigan. My vehicle is 100% paid off and I did not have collision coverage as part of my auto insurance. Can I file a Mini Tort or Small Claims for the book value of my vehicle at the time of the accident?

Since I do not have... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 1, 2023

Mini tort is for the amount of the deductible you paid.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: If I allow someone to borrow my car and they damage the vehicle by hitting a pothole, are they financially responsible?
Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Jul 24, 2023

Yes. If anyone borrows anything, they are responsible for the damage.

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