Why Traverse City Residents Choose Lee Steinberg Law Firm for No-Fault Disputes
Michigan's No-Fault system was designed to ensure accident victims receive prompt benefits — but in Traverse City and throughout Grand Traverse County, insurers routinely delay, reduce, and deny legitimate claims. When your insurer refuses to pay what you are owed, you need an attorney who understands every corner of Michigan's No-Fault law.
For more than 50 years, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm has fought for Michigan accident victims. Our attorneys are recognized as Super Lawyers, and Co-President Eric Steinberg is a former President of the Michigan Association for Justice. Learn more about Michigan No-Fault benefits and how our attorneys fight to protect them.
No Fee Until We Win
We handle No-Fault disputes on a full contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover on your behalf — no upfront fees, no retainers.
Free Consultation With a Traverse City No-Fault Attorney
Our consultations are always free and available 24/7. contact our team and speak with an experienced attorney at no cost.
Common No-Fault Disputes in Traverse City
Michigan's No-Fault system is designed to be straightforward — but insurers often make it anything but. In Traverse City and across Grand Traverse County, our attorneys handle disputes including:
- Insurers denying that injuries are causally related to the accident
- Termination of PIP benefits before treatment is complete
- Denial of wage loss benefits, claiming injury did not prevent work
- Disputes over which insurer holds priority under MCL 500.3114
- Failure to pay replacement service benefits
- Delays or denials of attendant care claims
- Challenges to the medical necessity of your treating physician's recommendations
- Independent Medical Examination (IME) doctors hired to cut off benefits
Whether your accident happened on Front Street, US-31, and Garfield Road, near Traverse City State Park, National Cherry Festival grounds, and Grand Traverse Resort, or anywhere in Grand Traverse County, our attorneys understand exactly how to fight back when insurers act in bad faith. Our Michigan car accident lawyers are ready to act immediately.
Injuries Commonly Disputed in Traverse City No-Fault Cases
Insurers most aggressively dispute treatment for injuries that are difficult to see on standard imaging. Common disputed conditions include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-concussion syndrome
- Spinal cord injuries and chronic back or neck pain
- Soft tissue injuries that do not appear clearly on X-rays
- Orthopedic injuries requiring surgery and extended rehabilitation
- PTSD and psychological injuries following serious accidents
- Chronic pain conditions affecting long-term ability to work
- Catastrophic injuries requiring attendant care and home modifications
Severe cases may involve traumatic brain injury claims that require specialized neurological care and extended PIP coverage. Our attorneys work with your treating physicians to document and defend every element of your treatment plan.
Who Is Responsible for Paying Your No-Fault Benefits in Traverse City?
Michigan's No-Fault priority rules under MCL 500.3114 determine which insurer pays your PIP benefits:
1. Your own auto insurance policy — if you have coverage, your own insurer pays first.
2. A resident relative's policy — if you have no policy, a household family member's coverage may apply.
3. Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP) — the last-resort insurer when no other coverage exists.
Getting the priority wrong means the claim goes to the wrong company — and gets denied or delayed. Our Traverse City No-Fault attorneys identify the correct insurer from day one. In addition to PIP claims, if the at-fault driver caused a serious impairment, you may also have a third-party claim for pain and suffering damages.
What PIP Benefits Are Available in Traverse City?
Michigan's No-Fault law provides the following categories of benefits to accident victims in Traverse City and Grand Traverse County:
- Medical expenses — all reasonably necessary treatment for accident-related injuries (subject to your policy coverage election post-2020 reform)
- Wage loss benefits — up to 85% of gross income, for up to three years
- Replacement services — up to $20/day for household tasks you can no longer perform
- Attendant care — in-home nursing and personal care benefits for serious injuries
- Mileage reimbursement for medical appointments
- Third-party pain and suffering damages if a serious impairment threshold is met
Review our recent results to see examples of the recoveries our firm has secured for Michigan accident victims.
Michigan No-Fault Laws That Affect Your Traverse City Case
MCL 500.3105 — PIP Benefits: Provides Personal Injury Protection for accidental bodily injury arising from vehicle ownership, operation, or use.
MCL 500.3114 — Priority of Coverage: Establishes the order in which insurers pay PIP benefits, starting with the injured person's own policy.
MCL 500.3115 — Non-Occupant Priority: For pedestrians and cyclists struck by vehicles — including incidents near Traverse City State Park, National Cherry Festival grounds, and Grand Traverse Resort — a separate priority order applies.
MCL 500.3107 — Allowable Expenses: PIP benefits cover all 'reasonably necessary' medical expenses for accident-related injuries.
One-Year Claim Deadline: No-Fault PIP claims must be filed within one year of the accident or treatment date. Missing this deadline permanently bars your benefits.
MCL 500.3135 — Serious Impairment Threshold: To pursue a third-party pain and suffering claim against the at-fault driver, you must demonstrate a serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys and other practice groups work together when accidents involve multiple claims — both No-Fault PIP and third-party liability.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Traverse City No-Fault Claim
No-Fault disputes in Traverse City come down to documentation. Strong claims are built on:
- Police accident report and scene photographs
- Emergency room records, physician notes, and specialist reports
- Diagnostic imaging — MRI, CT scans, and X-rays showing injury extent
- Letters from treating physicians supporting the medical necessity of your care
- Wage and employment records documenting income loss
- All insurer correspondence, including denial letters and IME reports
- Evidence of the insurer's bad faith or unreasonable claims handling
- Accident reconstruction reports and witness statements when liability is disputed
What To Do If Your No-Fault Benefits Are Denied in Traverse City
- Keep copies of all communications from your insurer, including denial letters and explanation of benefits statements
- Continue all prescribed medical treatment — gaps in care give insurers additional grounds to dispute your claim
- Do not attend an Independent Medical Examination (IME) without first consulting an attorney
- Document your wage loss with pay stubs, employer letters, and tax records
- Call the Lee Steinberg Law Firm at 1-800-LEE-FREE — we act immediately to protect your rights and fight for the benefits you are owed
