A recent Court of Appeals decision answered an important no-fault disqualification question: can unlicensed drivers receive no-fault benefits?...
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In Part 2 of his WKTV Journal in Focus interview, Grand Rapids car accident lawyer, Tom Sinas, explains the problem with Michigan's new PIP choice options....
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Tom Sinas interviewed recently with WKTV Journal in Focus to discuss several topics including the upcoming changes for medical providers under the new auto no-fault law which going into effect July 1....
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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...
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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...
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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?...
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[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...
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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...
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[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...
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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...
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