Underinsured Motorist Claims in Washtenaw County, MI

Being injured in an accident is devastating enough. Discovering that the at-fault driver doesn't carry enough insurance to fully compensate you for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering makes a terrible situation even worse. In Washtenaw County—where highways like US-23, I-94, and M-14 see thousands of daily commuters—serious accidents frequently result in damages far exceeding Michigan's minimum liability limits.

At Logeman & Iafrate, P.C., our attorneys have spent over 45 years helping Washtenaw County accident victims pursue every available source of compensation, including underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. We understand how to navigate the complex claims process, negotiate with resistant insurance carriers, and fight for the full recovery you need to rebuild your life.

What Is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Underinsured motorist coverage protects you when the at-fault driver's liability insurance isn't sufficient to cover your total damages. Michigan law requires insurers to offer this optional coverage, though many drivers decline it without understanding the financial risk they're accepting.

Here's how it works: You're injured in a crash caused by a negligent driver. That driver carries Michigan's minimum liability coverage of $50,000 per person. Your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering total $250,000. The at-fault driver's insurance pays their $50,000 policy limit—but you're left with $200,000 in uncompensated damages. If you purchased underinsured motorist coverage, your own insurance company covers the gap up to your policy limits.

Unlike no-fault PIP benefits that cover medical expenses regardless of fault, UIM coverage specifically addresses situations where the at-fault party lacks adequate liability insurance. This coverage becomes critical in cases involving:

• Catastrophic injuries requiring extensive medical treatment
• Permanent disabilities affecting your ability to work
• Wrongful death claims where economic losses are substantial
• Multiple victims in a single accident exhausting the at-fault driver's policy limits

How UIM Coverage Works in Michigan

Michigan's underinsured motorist statute requires your UIM coverage to equal your liability coverage unless you reject it in writing or select a lower amount. If you carry $250,000 in liability coverage, your insurer must offer you $250,000 in UIM protection.

To trigger UIM benefits, you typically must:

• Exhaust the at-fault driver's liability coverage. You cannot access your UIM benefits until the negligent driver's insurance pays its full policy limit.
• Prove your damages exceed the liability limit. Documentation of medical expenses, wage loss, and non-economic damages establishes the insufficiency of the at-fault driver's coverage.
• Notify your own insurer. Most policies require prompt notification when you intend to make a UIM claim. Delays can jeopardize your benefits.
• Obtain consent before settling with the at-fault driver. Settling with the negligent party without your UIM carrier's approval can eliminate your right to underinsured benefits.

Michigan uses a "difference in limits" approach for UIM coverage. If the at-fault driver carries $100,000 in liability and you have $250,000 in UIM coverage, your maximum UIM recovery is $150,000—the difference between the two policies.

Why UIM Claims Get Denied or Underpaid

Even when you've paid premiums for underinsured motorist coverage, insurance companies frequently resist paying these claims. Common tactics include:

Arguing your damages don't exceed the liability limits. Adjusters minimize your injuries, question the necessity of treatment, or dispute that your condition stems from the accident. They'll deploy independent medical examiners who predictably find you've recovered completely.

Claiming you failed to meet policy conditions. Insurers scrutinize every procedural requirement—notice deadlines, consent provisions, and documentation demands—looking for technical violations to deny coverage entirely.

Disputing liability or comparative fault. Your own UIM carrier may argue the other driver wasn't completely at fault or that you share responsibility, reducing the benefits owed under Michigan's comparative negligence rules.

Offering lowball settlements. Knowing most accident victims need money urgently for medical bills and living expenses, adjusters make inadequate offers hoping you'll accept out of desperation rather than fight for full compensation.

Our Washtenaw County attorneys have defeated these tactics countless times. We build comprehensive cases documenting every dollar of economic loss and every dimension of pain and suffering. When insurers deny legitimate UIM claims, we're prepared to take them to trial.

Stacking UIM Coverage in Michigan

If you own multiple vehicles insured under separate policies with the same carrier, Michigan law may allow you to "stack" your underinsured motorist coverage—combining the limits from each policy. A family with three vehicles, each carrying $100,000 in UIM coverage, could potentially access $300,000 in total benefits.

However, stacking is only available if your policies don't contain anti-stacking language. Many insurers include provisions that prevent combining coverage across multiple vehicles. Our attorneys carefully review policy language to determine whether stacking applies and fight to maximize available coverage.

UIM Claims for Washtenaw County Accident Types

Underinsured motorist coverage applies across all types of motor vehicle accidents in Washtenaw County:

Highway crashes on US-23 and I-94. High-speed collisions frequently cause catastrophic injuries—traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures—where damages quickly exceed minimum liability limits.

Intersection accidents on major corridors. Crashes at busy intersections along Washtenaw Avenue, Plymouth Road, and State Street often involve distracted or impaired drivers carrying minimal insurance.

Rural road accidents. Washtenaw County's rural areas see serious crashes on two-lane roads where drivers carry only basic liability coverage inadequate for severe injury cases.

Motorcycle accidents. When cars strike motorcyclists, the resulting injuries are typically severe. Motorcyclists often face massive medical bills and permanent disabilities that far exceed the at-fault driver's coverage.

Compensation Available Through UIM Claims

Underinsured motorist coverage allows you to recover damages the at-fault driver's insufficient insurance doesn't cover, including:

• Excess medical expenses beyond what no-fault PIP benefits and the liability policy provide
• Full wage loss and lost earning capacity when your injuries prevent you from working
• Pain and suffering that meets Michigan's serious impairment threshold
• Permanent disability compensation for life-altering injuries affecting your future
• Wrongful death damages including loss of support, companionship, and funeral expenses

The experienced attorneys at Logeman & Iafrate, P.C. work with medical experts, vocational specialists, and economists to document the complete scope of your damages and pursue maximum UIM recovery.

Fighting Denied UIM Claims in Washtenaw County

When your insurance company denies or undervalues your underinsured motorist claim, you have legal options. Our firm has extensive experience litigating first-party claims against carriers who refuse to honor their obligations.

We've recovered millions in UIM benefits for Washtenaw County clients through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and jury trials. Insurance companies know we're trial-ready advocates who won't back down when they deny legitimate claims. That reputation often motivates fair settlements—but when it doesn't, we're prepared to fight in court.

Take Action to Protect Your UIM Benefits

If you've been seriously injured by an underinsured driver in Washtenaw County, time is critical:

• Don't settle with the at-fault driver without consulting an attorney
• Notify your own insurance company promptly about your UIM claim
• Document all medical treatment, expenses, and how injuries affect your daily life
• Avoid giving recorded statements to any insurance company without legal representation
• Don't sign releases or accept settlement offers before understanding your full damages

The attorneys at Logeman & Iafrate, P.C. provide free consultations to evaluate your underinsured motorist claim. We operate on a contingency-fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Underinsured Motorist Claims in Washtenaw County

What's the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance at all or when you're the victim of a hit-and-run. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver carries liability insurance but the policy limits aren't sufficient to cover your total damages. Both coverages protect you from inadequately insured drivers, but they address different scenarios.

How much underinsured motorist coverage should I carry?

We recommend carrying UIM coverage equal to your liability limits—the maximum your insurer is required to offer. Given Michigan's minimum liability requirement of just $50,000 per person, serious accidents frequently result in damages far exceeding this amount. Higher UIM limits provide crucial financial protection when the at-fault driver carries only minimum coverage. Review your policy annually and consider increasing limits as your assets and income grow.

Can I make a UIM claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes, but Michigan's comparative negligence rules will reduce your recovery proportionally to your percentage of fault. If you're found 20% at fault and your total damages are $200,000, your maximum recovery (including both the at-fault driver's liability payment and your UIM benefits) would be reduced to $160,000. Your own insurance company will likely investigate and may argue you share fault to minimize the benefits they owe.

What if the at-fault driver's insurance company makes a settlement offer before I know the full extent of my injuries?

Never accept a settlement from the at-fault driver's insurer without first consulting an experienced attorney. Once you settle and sign a release, you typically cannot pursue additional compensation even if your injuries prove more severe than initially apparent. Additionally, settling without your UIM carrier's consent can eliminate your right to underinsured motorist benefits. Our attorneys evaluate your case, project future damages, and ensure settlements adequately compensate all losses.

How long does it take to resolve an underinsured motorist claim in Washtenaw County?

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your injuries, the insurance company's cooperation, and whether litigation becomes necessary. Simple cases with clear liability and well-documented damages may resolve in months through negotiation. Complex cases involving catastrophic injuries, disputed policy provisions, or resistant insurers can take a year or more, especially if trial becomes necessary. Our attorneys work efficiently while ensuring your claim is fully developed to maximize your recovery.