How Can Passengers Recover Compensation for Michigan Car Crash Injuries?
In 2020, passengers accounted for almost 16 percent of car crash fatalities and more than 23 percent of car crash injuries throughout Michigan. Many passenger injuries happen in multi-vehicle accidents, but a large number also happen in single-car accidents, like a crash earlier this month in Grand Rapids in which a driver collided with a pole and two passengers suffered serious injuries. The circumstances surrounding passenger injuries can sometimes make it complicated for victims to recover compensation, but it is possible with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.
Sources of Compensation for Injured Passengers
In most states, the first source of compensation for car accident injury victims is the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. However, in Michigan, injury victims must first look to compensation through their own no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which is required by law in all car insurance policies throughout the state. Though it may seem counterintuitive, the most reliable source of compensation for injured passengers is often their own car insurance coverage, rather than the coverage of any of the drivers involved in the collision.
Michigan PIP coverage provides compensation for a car crash victim’s medical expenses and lost wages. If an injured passenger does not have their own PIP coverage, they may still be covered under the policy of a spouse, a parent, or another relative. If they have no access to PIP coverage of any kind, they may be able to recover through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
However, PIP coverage is often limited to a certain dollar amount, and it does not provide any compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering. If a passenger’s injuries are severe and likely to have long-lasting effects on their life and work abilities, they may be able to recover additional compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. This could be the driver of the vehicle in which they were traveling or the driver of another vehicle.
Demonstrating Negligence
In order to recover compensation through a personal injury claim, there must be evidence of a driver’s negligence. Examples of negligence include things like drunk driving, distracted driving, and speeding. Working with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident can help passengers gather and preserve timely evidence and witness testimony from the scene of the crash.
Contact a Grand Rapids Car Crash Attorney
Attorney John D. Tallman is committed to helping car accident victims of all kinds recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. He will help you explore all possible sources of recovery and take the appropriate steps in pursuit of a fair outcome. For a free initial consultation, contact our experienced Grand Rapids personal injury lawyer today by calling 616-361-8850.
Sources:
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/2020_Year_End_Traffic_Crash_Statistics_727043_7.pdf
https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/police-investigate-crash-in-southeast-grand-rapids-injuries-unknown/
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/autoinsurance/ip202a_679991_7.pdf
The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.
