What happens if my Michigan personal injury case does not settle?

If the insurance company and your Michigan personal injury lawyer cannot reach a settlement of your case, you may need to file a lawsuit to obtain just compensation for your injuries. In most personal injury cases, the lawsuit is filed against the person or company that caused your injuries, not against their insurance company (unless the case involves an uninsured or underinsured motorist).
A lawsuit likely will not be your first option. In fact, in some cases, your Michigan injury lawyer may suggest waiting for a short period of time before filing suit, to see if the insurance company will increase its valu­ation of your claim. However, if your lawyer’s valuation of your case differs drastically from that of the defendant’s insurance company, a lawsuit likely will be necessary.
There are several reasons a Michigan injury case might not settle, including:

1. The insurance company thinks you asked for more money than you would be awarded after a trial on the merits.
2. The insurance company denies liability, or “fault,” or the insurance company believes that you and/or some other party caused your injuries.
3. The insurance company, for internal reasons or because of company policy, is resisting payment of your claim, forcing you go through the trouble of a lawsuit.
4. The insurance company is stalling for time, hoping that you will offer to reduce the value of your claim.
5. The insurance company believes that you were not injured as badly as you claim.

If you were injured because of the carelessness of another, our experienced Michigan personal injury lawyers can help you evaluate your legal options and determine your best course of action. Please contact us if you would like to schedule a consultation.