A Firm-Reported Washtenaw County Underinsured Motorist Verdict

Our office previously reported a Washtenaw County Circuit Court underinsured motorist case in which a jury valued the plaintiff’s damages at $1.25 million. The account illustrates a dispute over the injury and available coverage; it is not a prediction of another claim’s value.

The collision and insurance dispute

According to the firm’s report, the plaintiff’s pickup was rear-ended while he waited to turn left. The at-fault driver had $100,000 in bodily injury coverage, which the plaintiff contended was insufficient. His family had purchased underinsured motorist coverage.

The firm reported that Home-Owners Insurance disputed the seriousness of the injuries. A lawsuit followed, and after a three-day trial the jury found total damages of $1.25 million. The report does not provide the complete policy, verdict form, payment record, or final distribution here, so the jury valuation should not be described as a guaranteed net payment or a universal UIM limit.

What makes this different from a general coverage guide

A UIM dispute can involve both policy terms and the evidence supporting the underlying injury claim. Buying an endorsement does not eliminate the need to establish insured status, applicable conditions, causation, and legally recoverable damages.

The case also illustrates why the other driver’s liability limit and the claimed losses are different figures. The policy and law determine how any additional recovery is calculated; do not assume every dollar above a driver’s limit is automatically payable.

Records for an individual UIM review

• The declarations and complete UIM endorsement in force on the accident date.
• Information about the other driver’s coverage and any proposed settlement or release.
• Crash evidence, treatment records, work restrictions, and loss documentation.
• Written coverage decisions and correspondence about consent, offsets, or settlement conditions.

See UM/UIM conditions and exclusions and our UM/UIM practice page for a current policy-specific review. Past results depend on their own facts and do not guarantee future outcomes.

Talk with Logeman & Iafrate

Request a free consultation or call (734) 994-0200 to discuss your situation with our Ann Arbor office. Bring the relevant records and any insurer correspondence. Advice about your claim depends on the facts, coverage, and applicable deadlines.

General information only; this article is not legal advice for an individual case.

Does the reported verdict mean every UIM claim pays that amount?

No. The case facts, coverage, proof, and legal requirements differ.

Is the jury’s total damages figure necessarily the client’s net recovery?

No. Policy calculations, legal issues, fees, expenses, and other applicable items can affect payment and distribution.