Hannay v. Department of Transportation

Michigan Supreme Court clarifies government is liable for pain & suffering and excessive wage loss caused by a negligent government driver

Case impact

Auto accident victims can recover excess wage loss benefits – as well as pain and suffering or emotional distress damages caused by a “serious impairment of body function” – against a governmental entity under the motor vehicle exception to governmental immunity.

A Michigan Auto Law attorney was the plaintiff lawyer in this case, which has clarified an area of Michigan law that can affect hundreds of people injured in auto accidents with government-owned vehicles.

For more information, read our blog on Hannay v. Department of Transportation: No special protection for negligent government drivers.

Here’s the official Michigan Court of Appeals opinion on Hannay v. Department of Transportation.