19 April

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Recent Appellate Decisions Dismantle Weapon Used by Insurers to Take Away No-Fault Benefits

person on computer with notebooks on desk

Since 2014, no-fault insurers have been using ruthless claim-denial tactics against people injured in motor vehicle accidents. One of those tactics commonly involves identifying statements that an insurer can acuse an insured of falsely making in the processing of a PIP claim. Insurers then use that allegedly-false statement to void the claimant’s entire underlying insurance policy. When successful, this tactic results in the termination of all auto no-fault PIP benefits, and for some, it also impairs the ability to pursue a liability claim. This tactic was widely used at unprecedented levels following the Michigan Court of Appeals decision of Bahri v. IDS...

24 February

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New Auto Liability Insurance Limits, New Complexities

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Auto Insurance, Auto No-Fault

2020 was so dizzying that it is hard to keep track of the many changes in our lives. You are thus in good company if you did not notice that automobile liability insurance limits underwent a historic change, courtesy of the auto no-fault overhaul known as Public Acts 21 and 22. The Acts became law in 2019, but the most significant phase took effect on July 1, 2020. On that day, auto no-fault insurers could start issuing policies with limited no-fault PIP benefits. On that same day, auto insurers were required to issue new policies with substantially increased minimum liability requirements. New...

17 February

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New Auto No-Fault Law Significantly Impacts Uninsured Children

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Auto No-Fault, Fox 17, In the Media

child in car seat, words overlaid say "children and the new no-fault law"

A recent tragedy involving a family riding in a horse-drawn buggy and a motor vehicle bears the question - where do children whose parents don't have a no-fault policy turn to for no-fault benefits?...

08 February

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Won’t My Health Insurance Cover My Car Accident Injuries?

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Auto Insurance, Auto No-Fault, Motor Vehicle Crashes

stethoscope and medical bills in background

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]In Michigan, we must purchase insurance for ourselves if we are going to be operating our vehicles on public roadways. Up until mid-2020, when the changes to the Michigan auto no-fault system largely went into effect, auto insurance policies included lifetime unlimited medical coverage for ourselves and our resident family members. This unlimited no-fault PIP medical coverage paid for medical expenses incurred as the result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision, regardless of who caused the accident. However, as a result of the recent auto no-fault reforms, Michigan residents can now purchase varying levels of no-fault insurance...

08 January

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Injured in a Rideshare Accident – No-Fault Benefits, Liability Claims

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Auto No-Fault, Fox 17, Motor Vehicle Crashes

side of vehicle with driver and passneger

Rideshares - such as Uber and Lyft - are a popular way to get from point A to point B without the hassle and maintenance of owning your own vehicle. But in the unfortunate instance of becoming injured as a result of a rideshare crash, many people don't know if they can obtain insurance benefits or where to turn for those benefits. Here to help those injured in a rideshare accident understand their rights to no-fault benefits and a potential liability claim, Grand Rapids car crash lawyer, Tom Sinas, covered this timely and important topic recently on Fox 17 "Know...

17 December

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Update on Auto No-Fault Lawsuit Regarding Attendant Care, Provider Fee Schedule

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Announcements, Auto No-Fault

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]We recently published two separate blog posts regarding the auto no-fault lawsuit filed on behalf of several plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of the reformed law. In particular, this lawsuit challenges the 56-hour cap on family provided attendant care as well as the 55% fee schedule that applies to the services not compensable under the Medicare fee schedule. This article seeks to provide readers with an update on the auto no-fault lawsuit. February 2021 Update Court Grants Defendants' Motion On November 13, 2020, the Ingham County Circuit Court issued an order granting the defendants' motion on all counts. In summary, the court held...

11 December

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Motorcycles, Company Cars, and the No-Fault “Choice” Fallacy

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Auto No-Fault, Motorcycles

Proponents of the auto no-fault insurance overhaul known as Publics Acts 21 & 22 heralded the era of “choice.” Supporters of the amended law argued that everyone will benefit when consumers can choose various monetary limits on no-fault PIP benefits for allowable expenses. While this claim might have been adept marketing, its premise and implementation are flawed. The Risk of Loss from Car Accidents is Notoriously Unpredictable Can a consumer accurately make an informed choice about auto insurance that provides coverage for medical care following a car accident,? For some insurance (e.g. homeowners or life insurance) the risk of loss is...

17 November

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Don’t Get Hurt Twice – New Publication “Protecting the Injured”

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Announcements, Auto No-Fault

The Michigan Legislature recently enacted major changes to the Michigan Auto No-Fault Law. The most important of these changes went into effect in July 2020. These new laws will have a substantial impact on the legal rights of people seriously injured in motor vehicle collisions, as well as the medical providers whose services and care the injured so need and heavily depend on. ...

02 November

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What to do if You’re in a Car Accident While Pregnant

Posted by Steve and Tom Sinas

in Auto Insurance, Auto No-Fault, Motor Vehicle Crashes

pregnant person in background, what to do if you're in a car accident while pregnant

A person never plans to be in a car crash, and these types of accidents never discriminate. Crashes can involve both new teen drivers and experienced older drivers, small cars and semi-trucks, and insured and uninsured vehicles. It doesn't matter who you are, how experienced a driver you are, where you're at, or any other factor - car accidents can happen to anyone. One class of auto accident victims that poses a significantly greater risk of injury or complications include pregnant drivers and vehicle occupants. If you're in a car accident while pregnant, it's important to take extra precautions as to...

21 October

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