How to Handle a Car Accident Without Insurance in Detroit
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Michigan law requires most vehicle owners to carry No-Fault insurance. Driving without it is a crime, and Insurance Research Council figures still put Michigan among the higher uninsured-motorist states (about 19.6% in 2022). Since July 1, 2020, drivers can also choose limited PIP medical instead of unlimited coverage.
Either gap can leave huge bills after a serious crash. Here is how Detroit drivers can protect themselves if they hit an uninsured or underinsured motorist—or if they themselves were uninsured.
Do You Have a Case?WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT IN DETROIT WHILE DRIVING AN UNINSURED VEHICLE
If you own or drive a car that should have No-Fault and it does not:
- You can be sued personally if someone else is injured
- As an uninsured owner or registrant, you generally cannot collect PIP (medical, wage loss, replacement services) for that crash
- MCL 500.3135 generally bars noneconomic damages (pain and suffering) for an owner or operator who was uninsured
- Survivors may lose the survivor benefits that a No-Fault policy would have paid
- Knowingly operating, or allowing operation of, an uninsured vehicle is a misdemeanor: a $200–$500 fine, up to one year in jail, or both
WHY YOU NEED UNINSURED MOTORIST (UM) INSURANCE IN DETROIT
If you have No-Fault and the other driver does not, your PIP still pays allowed medical and related benefits up to your PIP medical choice. You may also sue the uninsured driver, but people without insurance often have little to collect.
That is why optional uninsured motorist coverage matters. It can pay, subject to your policy and Michigan’s threshold rules:
- Noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering
- Excess economic losses (including medical and wage loss above PIP)
- In some cases, loss of consortium for a spouse or other eligible family member
UM is not required. Deadlines in the policy can be shorter than the three-year lawsuit limit. Read the contract and talk to a lawyer before you miss a notice date.
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERINSURED MOTORIST (UIM) COVERAGE
The liability minimum is $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident. Serious injuries often cost more than that.
Underinsured motorist coverage can apply when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough residual liability. It does not replace buying adequate your liability limits. If you cause a crash, the other person may still sue you for amounts above their PIP.
Buy as much residual liability, UM and UIM as you can reasonably afford. See PIP medical options.
DO I NEED A DETROIT AUTO ACCIDENT LAWYER IF I’M INJURED BY AN UNINSURED DRIVER?
UM and UIM claims are contract claims with extra conditions (threshold injury, notice, sometimes a police report). An experienced car accident attorney can meet those requirements and still pursue the at-fault driver if it is worth doing.
PUT OUR EXPERIENCED DETROIT CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS TO WORK FOR YOU TODAY
If you or a loved one was injured in an auto accident, we can help. Our legal team knows how to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Car accident law is complicated, but finding the right Detroit car accident lawyer is simple.
Get your case started today by filling out the brief form below or contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Do You Have a Case?
