Not at Fault in a Michigan Crash: Is Legal Review Still Useful?

Even when another driver clearly caused a collision, the insurance and injury questions may remain unresolved. A fault admission does not establish available coverage, every benefit, the extent of future losses, or the effect of a proposed settlement.

What clear fault does—and does not—resolve

An admission, citation, or strong crash record can help the liability investigation. The insurer may still dispute the injury’s cause, severity, treatment, or value. Its coverage may also have limits or conditions that matter to recovery.

PIP benefits follow their own eligibility and coverage rules. Do not assume that being fault-free makes every insurer request irrelevant or means all medical bills must be paid without supporting records.

Consider a consultation when

• Benefits stop or the insurer issues a denial you do not understand.
• Injury-related restrictions or care needs continue.
• The responsible driver is uninsured or has limited liability coverage.
• A release is proposed before the losses and future needs are understood.
• A claim involves a public entity, commercial operation, or more than one potentially responsible party.

Keep the discussion focused on the unresolved issue

Bring the insurer’s actual letters, offers, and proposed forms, not only a summary of what an adjuster said. Separate questions about benefits, vehicle damage, and a liability settlement. If you are handling a straightforward repair issue, a narrower discussion may be sufficient.

Do not assume a mini-tort payment or collision benefit is automatic merely because you were not at fault. Those claims also have requirements.

Use the right next guide

When to consult a car-injury lawyer addresses injury complexity; UM and UIM policy conditions addresses inadequate coverage; and fees and expenses explains what to ask about representation. Our car accident practice page provides the firm’s contact route.

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 a fault admission guarantee a full settlement?

No. Injury proof, coverage, damages, and collectibility remain important.

Can I ask only about a proposed release?

Yes. Bring the document and related coverage information so its scope can be discussed.