Over the past few months—amid rising racial tensions andpolice brutality—protesters have flooded the streets of Michigan and across the United States. While most of these massive demonstrations have been peaceful, others have taken a turn for the worse. Violent riots, civil unrest, and looting have brought chaos to communities and put innocent lives at risk.
When violent protests get uncontrollable, it happens quickly and suddenly. Damage can be severe, people can get injured, and property can be destroyed. If your car is unexpectedly caught in a dangerous riot, there’s not much you can do to prevent it from being damaged. The most important thing to do is to get to a secure place to ensure your safety. Here’s some information about insurance coverage and car damage that can help you deal with the aftermath.
Car Insurance and Riots: Am I Protected Against Damage?
Technically, if your car was damaged in a riot and you can locate the rioter or rioters that damaged your vehicle and have proof of their wrongdoing, then you may be able to hold them liable. Unfortunately, that rarely happens. You’re probably wondering if insurance coverage protects you, and typically the answer is yes—most car insurance policies cover damage caused by riots. However, insurance companies are not always required to cover your losses.
If you don’t have protection against theft or vandalism, typically in the form of comprehensive insurance coverage, then you may not be able to file a car insurance claim. Depending on your insurance policy, there may be specific exclusions and conditions for damages caused by civil disorder. In several states, property damage has exceeded $25 million, reaching what’s known as a “catastrophic level.” An insurance-related catastrophe refers to disasters, whether natural or human-made, such as a hurricane, terrorist attack, or riot. Yet, not many standard auto insurance policies include catastrophe coverage since they are not as common.
What’s Covered Under Comprehensive Insurance Coverage?
Comprehensive insurance coverage protects your car from physical damage losses unrelated to a collision. Liability is typically not an influencing factor, as you would purchase this coverage in addition to your liability, property, and other insurance protection. Some events that your comprehensive coverage may include are:
Fire
Theft or vandalism
Civil commotion
Animal damage
Falling objects
Hail, wind, or flood damage
Explosion, earthquake, or tornado
Again, as with any insurance-related claim, your individual circumstances and policy contract will determine if these situations are covered. You’ll want to look over your insurance policy and contact your insurer to identify what you’re protected against. Generally, broken windows, body damage, or fire damage are covered.
Filing an Insurance Claim for Damage Caused by Riots
If you have comprehensive insurance coverage and want to file a claim for damages, you’ll first want to verify your policy, as you may have to pay a deductible. If you’re deductible is high and your damage is not extensive, then it may not be wise to go through your insurance. If you’re going to file an insurance claim, here are some tips to help ease the process:
Immediately file your claim
Don’t repair anything until the adjuster examines the damage
Save receipts for out of pocket expenses (Uber trips or other transportation expenses)
Take pictures of the damage
Document the location of your vehicle
Contact the police
Obtain the police report
Retain an attorney if there is a dispute
Pursue a Claim for Car Damage with Top Michigan Attorneys
Civil disorder can be a disturbing experience, leaving a lasting impact on your life. This is especially true if your property is damaged or if you suffer injuries through the actions of dangerous civilians. What’s more, if you’re not fully covered for damages caused by riots—and even if you are—insurance claims take time, and full reimbursement is often not awarded. Dealing with insurance companies or identifying other potential options for monetary recovery doesn’t have to be done alone. Reach out to a personal injury and accident attorney atMichigan Legal Center.
At Michigan Legal Center, we’re committed to helping you restore your life after an unexpected accident. With over 60 years of experience and millions of dollars recovered, our Michigan personal injury and accident attorneys are prepared to aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve. Schedule your free consultation today by calling (248) 886-8650 or completing acontact form.
Being in a car accident is not something a person expects. It is a tragic event that can alter the course of one’s entire life. If you’ve been in a car accident, you know that the aftermath is not easy to handle. Dealing with repairs and healing from injuries takes time and resources. After a crash in Michigan, it’s important to understand the state insurance system and what your policy covers. Here, we’re going to discuss what it means to live in a no-fault state and what you need to do if you’re in an accident.
What is Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance System?
The state of Michigan has operated under a no-fault insurance system for the last fifty years. In a no-fault state, each party and their insurance company is responsible for the cost of their own car repairs and personal injuries after an accident. Following an accident in Michigan, you will need to file an insurance claim with your own insurance company. Once you file a claim, the bills you have will be covered up to the limits of your personal insurance policy.
What Are Insurance Requirements In Michigan?
The state of Michigan requires each driver to carry a personal insurance policy with limits of $20,000/$40,000/$10,000. Here is a breakdown of what those insurance limits mean if you are involved in a car accident.
$20,000/$40,000 Bodily Injury Coverage: Michigan’s required limits of liability will cover up to $20,000 worth of payments for your personal injuries and $40,000 worth of personal injury payments for yourself and anyone else in your vehicle.
$10,000 Property Damage: Michigan’s required limits of liability will cover up to $10,000 worth of property damage to your vehicle and any additional personal property involved in the accident.
There are times when the limits of liability you have in your PIP do not cover the total cost of your car accident. For that reason, it is always in your best interest to consult experienced legal counsel.
What Does My Personal Insurance Policy Cover?
Your PIP will cover the cost of personal injury and property damage. Common reasons people receive insurance payments after a car accident include:
Medical bills
Rehabilitation costs
Cost of medical equipment
Prescription payments
Ambulance bills
If you suffer from bodily injuries as the result of an accident, it is essential to document your injuries with an experienced medical professional.
Car repairs to your vehicle
Rental car expenses while your car is being repaired
The cost of personal property such as car seats
…and more
If you suffer severe injuries that cause you to stop work for a prolonged period of time or significantly change your future, you can seek additional compensation from the at-fault party. An attorney with experience handling car accident cases will be able to fight for you to win you the compensation you are entitled to according to law.
Knowledgeable Michigan Car Accident Attorneys Fight for You
If you have been injured in a car accident in Michigan, you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Scheduling a consultation a trusted and competent attorney will increase the likelihood of you winning your claim against the negligent driver who caused your accident.
The Attorneys at the Michigan Legal Centerspecialize in representing clients injured in auto accidents. With more than 20 years of experience and more than $200 million worth of legal cases, we consider it our job to fight for the residents of Michigan. Our team is here to answer any questions and offer advice on the necessary steps to receive compensation for your injuries after a rideshare accident. Call 1-800-961-8447 or contact us for yourfree consultation.
Many people suffer from depression across the US. According to the WHO, about 3.3 million American adults suffer from clinical depression. Those diagnosed with depression have difficulties engaging in day to day activities and finding the motivation to work. People who have clinical depression oftentimes cannot leave their homes. People who are diagnosed with clinical depression often have to take prescription drugs, and regularly see a therapist or a clinical psychologist
Depression stems from many factors such as genetic, biological, and environmental. Genetically, if someone from your family suffers from depression, you have a greater chance of being diagnosed with depression.
Prove You Are Unable To Work
Depression can also affect people’s behavior. They may have problems sleeping and eating. People who have depression may be able to get Social Security disability. However, some qualifications have to be met to get disability. People have to be able to prove that they have been unable to work for at least year because of their depression.
The person also has to be able to prove that their depression is not controlled despite the fact that they take antidepressants. Additionally, people have to be able to show that they cannot work even if their environment changed. In some cases, people with depression may be able to work if small changes in the atmosphere get made.
The Social Security Administration looks at depression differently than other illnesses. It is easy to spot the signs of a physical disability such as a lost leg or blindness. Depression may not have any physical symptoms. That is why it can be difficult to convince the Social Security Administration that you need disability if you have depression. If you are struggling with depression and need help getting disability, then you will need to contact an attorney.
Keep in mind that if your disability claim gets denied, you can file an appeal. If you attend an appeal hearing with an attorney to represent you, you will be more likely to get approved the second time. The Social Security experts at Michigan Legal Center are here to fight for your benefits. Contact us for a free case evaluation and we’ll help you figure out the next steps to take.
Insurance companies are becoming less likely to make fair settlement offers, as any Michigan disability attorney can attest. There are many reasons for this. Insurers have been hit by the financial crisis, just like other businesses. There have also been increased insurance claims by people who are down on their luck because of the bad economy.
But most of all, insurance companies refuse to make fair offers because they can get away with it. Insurance companies are profit-driven, and one of the best ways to make more money is to pay less money to personal injury claimants.
Years of media reports about “lawsuit abuse” have soured potential jurors to personal injury claimants. While there are certainly some examples of frivolous lawsuits, they are comparatively rare. Insurers are happy to insinuate (if not state outright) that all or most personal injury lawsuits are bogus.
This trend of blaming the victim is traceable to the infamous McDonald’s “hot coffee” case. Your Michigan disability attorney will have to work to overcome this persistent bias when presenting your case.
Facts of the McDonald’s Coffee Case
Most people know the basic facts. An elderly woman was burned when she spilled hot coffee on her lap in a McDonald’s drive-in. She sued McDonald’s and got a big payout. This was treated as a joke by standup comedians and late-night talk show hosts. But the story we heard omitted several key facts.
The woman’s claims didn’t come out of nowhere. McDonalds had received hundreds of claims of injuries from coffee that was too hot. The jury’s verdict included punitive damages (damages intended to punish McDonald’s for being aware of the risk and doing nothing to prevent it). The woman’s injuries were serious, but McDonald’s refused to settle for a demand that was a small fraction of the eventual verdict. Finally, the woman’s verdict was later reduced by a judge.
Contact Us
The backlash to this single lawsuit, encouraged by insurance companies and special interests, is still being felt decades later. If you need a Michigan disability attorney or help with another legal matter, please contact us online or call the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates at (800) 961-8477.
Life insurance typically carries an accidental death policy, which is invoked when the insured individual is killed in an accident. A regular insurance policy or separate policy can include accidental death benefits.(more…)
If you have received a denial letter from the insurance company in your Michigan personal injury claim, you might be inclined to accept the insurer’s word at face value and not contest or object the denial. This is a mistake; insurance companies wrongfully deny claims all the time. Before deciding not to proceed further with your claim, it is a good idea to consult with a Michigan personal injury attorney to see whether your case has merit.
Even before you consult with an attorney, there are a few telltale signs you can look for to help you determine if your denial was proper. If one or more of the following apply to your situation, you should probably investigate further.
1. The insurer doesn’t meet with you before denying your claim.
2. The insurer meets with you, but asks only general questions or questions that are not applicable to the facts of your injury.
3. The insurer doesn’t provide you with a copy of the policy under which it is denying coverage.
4. The insurer doesn’t refer to specific policy provisions in your denial letter.
5. The insurer quotes specific policy provisions in its denial letter that do not actually exist in the policy.
6. The insurer refers to policy provisions that are not relevant to your claim.
7. The insurer denies your claim, but continues to ask questions about the accident. (If your case proceeds to settlement or trial, they may try to use your answers against you.)
8. The insurer denies your claim, but reserves its rights to assert additional defenses later on.
9. The insurer attempts to retroactively rescind your coverage, saying that you made misrepresentations in your initial application.
10. Something else about the denial doesn’t feel right.
When in doubt, you should err on the side of caution. Don’t accept an insurer’s denial without first consulting with an experienced Michigan personal injury attorney. Many attorneys offer free case evaluations, so you have little to lose and potentially a lot to gain. For more information, please contact us online or call Christopher Trainor at (800) 961-8477.
