Whose Insurance Company Pays for an Injured Person’s No-Fault Benefits After a Car Crash?

In Michigan, we have all heard the term “No-Fault Insurance,” but what does No-Fault mean, and whose insurance company is liable for these benefits?

MCL 500.3114 lays out the “order of priority” rules, which serve as a guideline to determine which insurance company will pay the injured person’s No-Fault Benefits, including medical expenses, wage loss, attendant care, household services, etc.

Below are some general rules under Michigan Law in determining the order of the appropriate insurance carrier. *There are several exceptions to the general rules, and it is important to seek an experienced attorney’s advice in navigating the order of priority.

If you are injured while driving or occupying a private vehicle:

1. Your own automobile insurance policy:
2. If you do not have your own insurance policy, then the insurer of your spouse or relative who is domiciled in the same household;
3. If neither a nor b applies, you may be entitled to insurance coverage through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.

If you are injured in an employer-furnished vehicle:

1. Employer’s automobile insurance policy;
2. Your own automobile insurance policy;
3. The insurer of your spouse or relative that is domiciled in the same household;
4. If none of the above apply, then you may be entitled to insurance coverage through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.

If you are injured while driving a motorcycle involved in a motor vehicle crash:

1. Insurer of the motor vehicle involved;
2. The insurer of the driver of the motor vehicle involved;
3. Insurer of the motorcycle driver;
4. Insurer of the motorcycle owner;
5. If none of the above apply, then you may be entitled to insurance coverage through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.

If you are a pedestrian injured by a motor vehicle:

1. Your own automobile insurance policy;
2. The insurer of your spouse or relative that is domiciled in the same household;
3. If neither a nor b applies, then you are entitled to insurance coverage through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, seek an attorney who understands Michigan’s complex No-Fault system. We can deal with the insurance companies so that you don’t have to. Call Michigan car accident attorneys Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys. 248-531-8665.

More Than Numbers: How a Skilled Attorney Transforms Your Pain Into a Powerful Story

More Than Numbers: How a Skilled Attorney Transforms Your Pain Into a Powerful Story
A successful pain and suffering settlement isn’t just about calculations—it’s about an attorney who knows you, your family, and your loss of normalcy.

When it comes to personal injury cases, calculating pain and suffering isn’t about plugging numbers into a formula. It’s about understanding a life turned upside down and translating that into a compelling narrative. Exceptional attorneys recognize that pain and suffering are deeply personal—what one person experiences as a loss might be very different for someone else. That’s why the best attorneys get to know their clients and focus on telling their story.

At Giroux Pappas, we know that telling your story effectively is key to helping opposing counsel, judges, and juries understand the full extent of your suffering. Pain and suffering aren’t abstract ideas—they’re real, tangible experiences that permeate every corner of your life. From the things you can no longer do to the moments you’ve been forced to miss, these details are critical in showing the true cost of an injury.

It Starts with Truly Knowing You

To tell your story, your attorney must take the time to truly know you. This goes far beyond medical reports and accident details. It’s about understanding the essence of who you are and what makes your life uniquely yours.

• Who You Are: What defines you as a person? Are you an avid hiker, a passionate gardener, a hands-on parent, or someone who loves Sunday dinners with your extended family? How has your injury disrupted these parts of your life?
• Your Relationships: The people closest to you often bear the emotional weight of your injury. Have you been unable to pick up your children, support your spouse, or share meaningful moments with loved ones?
• Your Livelihood: For many, work is not just a paycheck—it’s a source of pride and identity. Has your career been derailed? Have you been forced to miss out on promotions or give up on dreams of professional growth?
• Your Future: Injuries don’t just cause immediate pain; they alter the trajectory of your life. What opportunities, milestones, or adventures have you had to give up?

An attorney who takes the time to answer these questions doesn’t just build a legal argument; they create a vivid, relatable picture of your suffering that resonates with those who will decide your case.

Why Storytelling Matters

Numbers are only part of the equation when determining pain and suffering. Insurance companies and opposing counsel may try to reduce your experience to a dollar amount, but your attorney’s job is to remind everyone involved that this is about a human being—not just a case file.

Storytelling is how we connect on a human level. It’s the reason a jury feels the weight of a father who can no longer toss a ball with his child or a young professional who must give up a promising career. When your attorney can tell your story with authenticity and compassion, they make your pain real, relatable, and impossible to ignore.

This storytelling skill can be the difference between a fair settlement and one that barely scratches the surface of your suffering. It ensures that you’re seen not as a number but as a person with a life that has been profoundly affected.

Giroux Pappas: Advocates Who Understand

At Giroux Pappas, we pride ourselves on being more than just attorneys—we’re advocates for your life and your future. We take the time to sit with you, your family in your home if that’s convenient. We want to understand not just what happened but how it’s affected you and your loved ones. This deep understanding allows us to present your case in a way that’s as personal as it is persuasive.

Whether we’re negotiating with opposing counsel or presenting to a jury, we’re not just outlining the facts of your injury. We’re showing what those facts mean in the context of your life. Because in the end, that’s what pain and suffering are about—how your life has been altered and what it will take to make things right.

When you’re navigating the aftermath of an injury, you deserve an attorney who values your story, fights for your dignity, and ensures your voice is heard. At Giroux Pappas, that’s exactly what we do. Because your story deserves to be told—and told well.