Michigan accident attorney explains that if drivers do what is necessary to save money, they will become safer drivers

Many of you know I’m no cheerleader for Progressive Insurance Company.  Progressive made my list of Top 6 Worst Auto Insurance Companies for 2011. I wrote about the terrible set-off language that Progressive Insurance has in its policy.  I wonder how many innocent Progressive customers who thought they were spending good money buying “uninsured motorist” coverage have been turned away with nothing, as my client Amie Carducci was?

Insurance attorney shares a compelling letter to the editor about the importance of Michigan’s No-Fault law and lifetime medical benefits for car accident victims

I want to share this compelling commentary that recently appeared in the Detroit Free Press. This letter is from a woman named Erica Nader Coulston, who sustained a cervical spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from a 2001 auto accident.

Completely paralyzed from the chest down, with no control of her limbs, hands, bladder and bowel, Erica required years of physical therapy and expensive medical care. She still needs 24-hour attendant care (nursing services) for her basic needs.

Michigan No-Fault insurance lawyer urges people to come out and attend to save our auto insurance system

Lawmakers are pushing a vote to take away vital protections from our No-Fault insurance laws, but without any assurance or guarantees that this will lower the price of auto insurance. They also plan on making this referendum proof by the voters of this state, despite two nearly identical proposals being soundly defeated in the past.

There is no other way to explain this then as an insurance company power play, ramming through legislation that will further increase profits at the expense of seriously injured auto accident and injury victims in this state.  Hospitals, medical facilities, and extended care medical facilities will all see drastic job cuts.

Insurance attorney urges Michigan drivers to oppose HB 4936: PIP Choice

I’m very disappointed to report that a Michigan House of Representatives committee has approved major changes to our No-Fault auto insurance system on Thursday.

Despite last-minute changes and requests for more testimony, Rep. Pete Lund (R-Shelby Twp.) moved ahead with the vote. Lund is chairman of the insurance committee.

As I’ve been blogging about almost daily, our current No-Fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits pay for a lifetime of medical expenses if someone is seriously injured in a car accident or a truck accident.

As changes to No-Fault “reform” laws progress, auto insurance companies are charging “excessive rates,” according to the Michigan OFIS

There is proposed legislation (HB 4936) that aims to take away our most valuable No-Fault auto insurance protections - lifetime medical benefits. I’m sad to report that a Michigan House of Representatives committee has approved major changes to our No-Fault system today. The bill will now to go the full House for a vote.

The proposed “PIP Choice” legislation would give automobile owners the choice to purchase either $500,000, $1 million or $5 million worth of coverage. These coverage amounts are not enough to cover people with catastrophic injuries, and those who have already been seriously injured in car accidents.

Prices too high, too many customer complaints, and fighting claims it should be paying

This year, I put  Dairyland Insurance Company as No. 1 on the list our  insurance lawyers assembled of the six worst auto insurance companies for 2011.  Now, Dairyland  hits a new low for  “milking” profits from its own customers.

In addition to refusing  Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits to its injured customers as when it sends releases for future PIP seven days after automobile accidents, Dairyland Insurance can now  add defiantly-ignoring-the-obvious to its repertoire.

Michigan insurance attorney says greedy auto insurance companies should be careful what they wish for with PIP Choice

No one has a crystal ball, and to an extent, everyone is guessing about what our Michigan No-Fault law will look like a year from now.  Nevertheless, my comments in Michigan Lawyers Weekly from my recent interview in the story, No Fault? Personal injury protection limits said to be good for insurers, but others question proposals, seem to have caused quite a stir, based upon the e-mails, phone calls, and posts about the story.

Dave speaks to the Michigan Legislature on why No-Fault insurance “reform” bills will only hurt drivers and families

My partner David E. Christensen, immediate past-president of the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section, recently testified at a legislative hearing on the new proposed No-Fault “reform” bills in the state capitol.

Here’s our extensive analysis on the bills on No-Fault insurance:

HB 4936: What the proposed bill will do to Michigan’s No-Fault insurance protections

HB 4936: Why I predict taking away No-Fault protections will fail to lower the price of auto insurance (again)

Insurance lawyer offers advice on redemptions of future No-Fault insurance benefits

Here’s my short answer on what to do when insurance companies start talking settlement on your No-Fault futures — especially if you have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, or a disc injury such as a herniated disc that may require future back surgery or neck surgery — DON’T DO IT!

Here’s the long answer: Michigan No-Fault (PIP) insurance allows unlimited, lifetime medical care and treatment for personal injury caused by auto accidents (note this may change later this year with pending legislation).  Auto insurers don’t like to keep claims open, so claims adjusters will often offer you a future “lump sum” settlement amount to buy out and close out your insurance claim.

Organization providing rehab services to 25,000 Michigan residents suffering from TBI, spinal cord and car accident injuries gives call to action

The Hope Network of Grand Rapids, Michigan is steadfastly opposed to lawmakers’ attempts to dismantle Michigan’s No-Fault insurance system. The Hope Network provides rehabilitation services to people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury.

It currently serves about 25,000 people throughout Michigan and was founded in 1963.

In recent postings to its website, Hope Network makes a compelling, fact-based case for why so-called No-Fault “reform” is disastrous for Michigan drivers and taxpayers — and for the medical professionals who care for seriously injured car accident victims.