Helping Detroit Auto Accident Victims Fight Low-Ball Insurance Offers
After a serious car accident in Detroit, victims often find themselves dealing with more than just pain and vehicle damage. Insurance companies are quick to make contact, often extending settlement offers that appear to provide a fast resolution. But many of these offers are far below what victims truly deserve. As personal injury attorneys who fight for the rights of injured Michiganders every day, we’ve seen how these tactics hurt families. We understand the pressure that comes with mounting medical bills, missed work, and emotional distress. That’s why we want you to understand how low-ball offers work, how Michigan law protects you, and what steps we can take together to fight for a fair recovery.
Why Insurance Companies Make Low-Ball Offers
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible on each claim. After a crash, their adjusters move quickly to offer a check that may seem appealing but is often far less than what your claim is worth. These early offers often ignore long-term medical needs, ongoing pain, lost future income, and non-economic damages such as emotional suffering.
We frequently see insurers downplay injuries, dispute liability, or use your own statements against you. This is especially common in no-fault states like Michigan, where injured drivers are expected to file initial claims with their own insurance under Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Law (MCL 500.3101 et seq.). However, when pain and losses exceed what PIP (Personal Injury Protection) covers or when someone else is at fault, you may also have a third-party claim under MCL 500.3135, which allows lawsuits for non-economic losses and excess medical expenses. Insurers don’t want these cases going to trial—so they try to settle fast and cheaply.
What Michigan Law Says About Fair Compensation
Under Michigan law, you have rights to compensation that includes much more than just emergency room bills. The no-fault system provides certain benefits automatically, like medical expenses, wage loss (up to three years), replacement services, and mileage reimbursement. But if your injuries are serious enough to meet the “serious impairment of body function” threshold under MCL 500.3135(1), you can pursue damages against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and other losses not covered by no-fault insurance.
When we evaluate your case, we look at current medical records, future treatment needs, lost earning potential, and how your injuries affect your daily life. We push back on any offer that does not reflect the full impact of your injuries, as required under Michigan’s personal injury laws.
How We Respond To Low-Ball Settlement Offers
When an insurance company makes a low offer, we don’t recommend accepting it without a thorough review. Here’s how we handle it:
- We Assess The True Value Of Your Case – We review medical records, treatment plans, lost income, and other economic and non-economic damages. We work with doctors and financial experts to build the full value of your case.
- We Negotiate From Strength – Once we determine what your case is worth, we engage with the insurer, using facts, evidence, and legal support to press for fair compensation.
- We Prepare For Trial – Insurance companies often take a claim more seriously once they know we’re ready to file a lawsuit. If they still refuse to pay fairly, we are ready to file suit and take your case to court.
- We Protect Your Rights – Throughout the process, we make sure your rights under Michigan’s no-fault and tort liability laws are upheld.
When To Reject A Settlement Offer
If a settlement offer doesn’t cover your current and future medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation needs, and emotional pain, it may be a low-ball offer. We often advise clients to reject early offers that come before they’ve even completed treatment. Accepting too early can cut off your ability to recover additional compensation later. Once you sign a release, you cannot pursue further legal action—even if your condition worsens.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Trying to handle these negotiations alone puts you at a major disadvantage. Insurance companies know most people don’t fully understand their rights under Michigan law. They exploit this by offering fast cash in exchange for a release of all claims. With legal representation, you level the playing field. We know what cases like yours are truly worth, and we know how to put pressure on the insurer to pay fairly.
Common Tactics We See From Insurance Companies
- Offering a check within days of the crash
- Claiming you don’t meet Michigan’s serious injury threshold
- Denying payment for treatments they deem unnecessary
- Minimizing your pain and limitations
- Using your social media or recorded statements against you
These tactics are designed to save the insurer money at your expense. We push back against these strategies and hold them accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Low-Ball Offers In Michigan Car Accident Cases
Can I Still Sue The At-Fault Driver If My Insurance Pays My Medical Bills?
Yes. In Michigan, even though your no-fault insurer covers initial medical bills and lost wages, you may still sue the at-fault driver if your injuries meet the threshold under MCL 500.3135. This allows you to pursue non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, and excess economic damages not covered by PIP.
What If I Already Cashed The Insurance Company’s Check?
If you accept a check and sign a release, it may limit or eliminate your ability to file a lawsuit. However, in some cases, we may be able to challenge the settlement if you were misled or didn’t understand the full consequences. Call us right away so we can review your situation.
How Can I Tell If An Offer Is Too Low?
If the offer doesn’t reflect your total medical expenses, expected future care, wage loss, and emotional impact, it’s likely too low. We often compare offers to typical settlement values for similar injuries in Michigan to help our clients evaluate fairness. If you’re unsure, let us review the offer for free.
What Damages Can I Recover Beyond PIP Benefits?
If your injuries meet the legal standard for a serious impairment, you may be eligible to recover:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Future medical costs
- Lost earning capacity
- Household help or modifications
- All of these may be available in a third-party negligence claim under Michigan law.
How Long Do I Have To Take Legal Action?
Michigan law gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (MCL 600.5805). If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to recover damages forever. Don’t delay—call us as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Michigan Car Accident FAQs on Low-Ball Insurance Offers
If you’ve been injured in a crash and an insurance company is pressuring you to accept a low offer, we can step in immediately. At Ravid & Associates, P.C., our attorneys have spent decades protecting the rights of injured drivers and passengers across Michigan. We will fight to make sure you’re treated fairly and compensated fully.
From our Southfield office, we represent injury victims in Detroit and across the entire state of Michigan. Let’s talk about your options, the value of your claim, and how we can help you push back on the insurance company. Call our Detroit auto accident attorney at Ravid & Associates, P.C. today at (248) 948-9696 to receive your free consultation.
