No-Fault Insurance Claims in Ann Arbor, MI

Michigan's no-fault auto insurance system is supposed to protect accident victims by providing prompt payment of medical expenses, wage loss benefits, and attendant care. But when you need those benefits most, insurance companies often deny legitimate claims, delay payments, or force you into years-long battles for the care you deserve.

At Logeman & Iafrate, P.C., our Ann Arbor no-fault insurance attorneys have spent more than 45 years holding insurers accountable. We've recovered substantial first-party no-fault benefits for clients whose claims were wrongly denied—including a $2 million settlement for a traumatic brain injury victim and a $1 million verdict against Amerisure after an 18-year fight. When insurance companies see our name on a case, they know we're prepared to go to trial.

Understanding Michigan's No-Fault System

Under Michigan's no-fault law, your own auto insurance must pay Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits after an accident—regardless of who caused the crash. These benefits can include:

• Medical expenses. All reasonable and necessary treatment related to your accident injuries, from emergency care through long-term rehabilitation.
• Wage loss benefits. Up to 85% of your gross income (capped at the state maximum) for the first three years after your accident.
• Replacement services. Reimbursement for household tasks you can no longer perform, such as cooking, cleaning, yard work, and childcare.
• Attendant care. Payment for family members or professional caregivers who provide necessary assistance with daily living activities.
• Home and vehicle modifications. Adaptations needed to accommodate your injuries, such as wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, or vehicle lifts.

The 2019-2020 no-fault reforms significantly changed Michigan's system. Your PIP medical coverage level depends on the options you selected when purchasing your policy: unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, or $50,000. If you opted out of PIP coverage entirely (available only to those with qualifying health insurance), your benefits may be extremely limited. Understanding your coverage before an accident occurs is critical—but even when coverage exists, collecting what you're owed often requires a fight.

Why Insurance Companies Deny Legitimate No-Fault Claims

Insurance companies are in the business of minimizing payouts. They employ teams of adjusters, nurses, and attorneys whose job is to find reasons to deny or reduce your claim. Common denial tactics include:

• Claiming injuries are unrelated to the accident. Insurers frequently argue that your current symptoms stem from pre-existing conditions, normal aging, or subsequent events—not the accident that triggered your claim.
• Arguing treatment is not reasonably necessary. Your insurer may refuse to pay for recommended surgeries, therapies, or medications, claiming they're experimental, excessive, or unlikely to help.
• Disputing the medical causation timeline. If you didn't seek immediate treatment or if symptoms developed gradually, insurers may claim your injuries aren't accident-related.
• Hiring biased medical examiners. Insurance companies routinely send claimants to so-called independent medical examiners who consistently side with the insurer and downplay injury severity.
• Invoking policy exclusions or limitations. Insurers may claim you weren't properly insured, that coverage lapsed, or that your policy doesn't cover your particular situation.

We've seen every excuse insurance companies use to avoid paying legitimate claims. Our attorneys know how to counter these tactics with strong medical evidence, expert testimony, and aggressive advocacy that forces insurers to honor their obligations.

Common No-Fault Insurance Disputes in Ann Arbor

Our firm handles the full range of no-fault insurance disputes throughout Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County:

Traumatic Brain Injury Claims

Concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries are among the most commonly disputed claims. Insurance companies argue that normal CT scans or MRIs prove no injury occurred, ignoring the well-documented fact that serious cognitive impairment can exist despite normal imaging. We work with neuropsychologists and other specialists to document the lasting effects of brain injuries and secure the treatment and attendant care our clients need.

Attendant Care Benefits

When catastrophic injuries leave you unable to perform basic daily activities, Michigan law entitles you to attendant care benefits—often provided by family members. Insurance companies routinely challenge these claims, arguing that care isn't necessary or that family members should provide it for free. We've recovered substantial compensation in attendant care benefits for clients whose insurers refused to pay.

Wage Loss Disputes

If your injuries prevent you from working, you're entitled to wage loss benefits. But insurers frequently claim you're capable of returning to work, that your job loss was unrelated to the accident, or that you haven't properly documented your income. We work with vocational experts and economists to prove the full extent of your lost earning capacity.

Medical Necessity Battles

Insurance companies increasingly deny payment for recommended surgeries, pain management, physical therapy, and other treatments by claiming they're not reasonably necessary. We retain medical experts who explain why your treatment is appropriate and fight to overturn these denials.

Lifetime Medical Coverage

For seriously injured clients who require ongoing care, securing lifetime medical benefits is essential. We've won jury awards and settlements guaranteeing our clients the medical care they'll need for the rest of their lives.

The True Cost of Insurance Denials

When your insurer denies benefits, the consequences extend far beyond unpaid medical bills. You may:

• Face mounting debt from treatment your insurer should have covered
• Be forced to forgo necessary medical care you can't afford
• Lose your home when wage loss benefits are wrongly withheld
• Watch your credit rating plummet under the weight of medical collections
• Experience worsening injuries when treatment is delayed or denied
• Suffer additional emotional distress during an already difficult recovery

Insurance companies count on injured people giving up when claims are denied. We don't let that happen. Our attorneys have the resources, experience, and determination to fight insurance denials through litigation and trial if necessary.

Serving Ann Arbor and All of Washtenaw County

From our Ann Arbor office, we represent no-fault insurance claimants throughout Washtenaw County and across Michigan. We're familiar with the local courts, understand how Ann Arbor juries evaluate these cases, and have built relationships with medical providers throughout the area who provide excellent care and reliable testimony.

Whether you were injured on Stadium Boulevard, State Street, or anywhere in the Ann Arbor area, our attorneys are ready to fight for the benefits you're owed under Michigan's no-fault system.

Our Track Record in No-Fault Insurance Cases

Our verdicts and settlements speak for themselves:

• $2 million settlement for a traumatic brain injury victim whose insurer denied all benefits
• $1 million verdict against Amerisure after an 18-year battle over no-fault benefits
• $730,000 settlement against Esurance for wrongly denied benefits
• $1 million settlement against Progressive Corporation for no-fault benefits
• $110,000 verdict against State Farm after they denied a closed head injury claim
• Numerous jury awards for lifetime medical benefits and attendant care

These results reflect our willingness to take difficult cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to negotiate fairly. Many firms settle quickly to avoid the work of trial preparation. We take a different approach—and insurance companies know it.

How We Fight for Your No-Fault Benefits

Our approach combines thorough preparation with aggressive advocacy:

• Comprehensive medical documentation. We work with your treating physicians to create detailed records that establish the medical necessity of your treatment and the accident-related nature of your injuries.
• Expert witness testimony. We retain respected medical specialists, vocational experts, life care planners, and economists who can counter the insurance company's hired guns.
• Thorough policy analysis. We examine your insurance policy to identify all available benefits and ensure the insurer can't hide behind fine print.
• Strategic litigation. When negotiations fail, we file suit and pursue your claim through trial if necessary. Our courtroom experience gives us leverage other firms don't have.
• Persistence that outlasts insurers. We've fought cases for years when necessary, never backing down until our clients receive the benefits they're entitled to.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is decided on its own facts.

Frequently Asked Questions About No-Fault Insurance Claims in Ann Arbor

What no-fault benefits am I entitled to after an Ann Arbor car accident?

Your own auto insurance must provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits including all reasonable and necessary medical expenses, wage loss benefits (up to 85% of gross income for three years), replacement services for household tasks you can't perform, attendant care for daily living assistance, and home or vehicle modifications needed due to your injuries. The medical coverage cap depends on the level you selected: unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, or $50,000.

How long do I have to file a no-fault insurance claim in Michigan?

You must provide notice to your insurance company within one year of the accident to preserve your right to PIP benefits. While you have one year to file the initial claim, you must file a lawsuit within one year of when benefits are overdue if your insurer denies or fails to pay benefits. These deadlines are strict, making prompt action essential.

Can my insurance company deny benefits based on a pre-existing condition?

Insurance companies frequently try this tactic, but Michigan law is clear: your insurer must pay for treatment of accident-related injuries even if you had a pre-existing condition. If the accident aggravated, accelerated, or combined with a pre-existing condition to cause your current symptoms, those injuries are compensable. We work with medical experts to establish the causal connection between your accident and your need for treatment.

What should I do if my no-fault insurer stops paying my medical bills?

Contact an experienced no-fault attorney immediately. Insurance companies often stop payments hoping you'll give up or accept a lowball settlement. You may need to file a lawsuit to compel payment and recover penalties for unreasonable denial. Don't delay—there are strict deadlines for filing suit after benefits are wrongly withheld. Our attorneys can evaluate your situation and take action to restore your benefits.

Do I need to see the insurance company's doctor for an independent medical examination?

If your insurance policy includes an IME provision and your insurer makes a proper request, you generally must attend. However, these examiners are rarely truly independent—they're hired by the insurance company and frequently minimize injuries. You have the right to have the examination recorded, and anything you say can be used against your claim. Consult with an attorney before attending an IME to understand your rights and how to protect your claim.

Can family members be compensated for providing my attendant care?

Yes. Michigan law allows family members to be compensated for providing necessary attendant care services at reasonable hourly rates. Insurance companies routinely challenge these claims, arguing that family members should provide care out of love without compensation. The law disagrees—family caregivers sacrifice their own earning capacity and deserve to be paid. We've recovered substantial compensation in attendant care benefits for family members providing essential care.

What if I opted out of PIP coverage or chose a lower coverage level?

If you opted out of PIP coverage (available only to those with qualifying health insurance), your benefits are severely limited. If you selected a lower coverage cap ($50,000, $250,000, or $500,000), your medical benefits are capped at that amount. However, you may have access to additional coverage through the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association for injuries exceeding $600,000 in lifetime medical costs. An experienced attorney can evaluate all potential sources of coverage.

How does the 2019 no-fault reform affect my Ann Arbor accident claim?

The 2019-2020 reforms allow policyholders to choose PIP medical coverage levels and permit opt-outs for those with qualifying health insurance. The reforms also changed fee schedules that medical providers can charge for treating accident victims. If your accident occurred after July 2, 2021, these changes apply to your claim. Our attorneys stay current on these evolving laws and how they affect your right to benefits.