Earlier tonight I was involved in an accident in Michigan. Another driver hit my vehicle and caused damage to my rear wheel/tire area — the wheel is bent and now rubbing against the suspension/metal, so the car is undrivable.
Everyone is okay, no injuries.
Here’s my situation:
- I am leasing the vehicle (about 3 months into the lease)
- I do NOT currently have insurance (I know this complicates things)
- Police were called and a report was filed
- I did not get the other driver’s info at the scene, but I have a photo of their vehicle and license plate
- The officer told me the other driver’s insurance info will be in the report
- The other driver admitted fault at the scene
From what I understand, Michigan is a no-fault state, but I’m confused about how that applies to vehicle damage vs injuries.
My main questions:
- Can I still file a claim against the other driver’s insurance once I get the report?
- Does being uninsured completely prevent me from recovering damages?
- Would the Michigan mini tort law apply in my situation?
- Since this is a lease, what should I expect from the leasing company?
- If insurance doesn’t cover it, is small claims court realistic here?
I’m mainly trying to understand what my realistic options are so I can move quickly.
Any advice (especially from people familiar with Michigan law or insurance) would be appreciated.
Michigan – Leased car hit (not at fault), no insurance, rear wheel bent and car undrivable — what are my options?
byu/Batmanforever0713 inInsurance
Posted by Batmanforever0713
4 Comments
The sad reality is that you do not have any insurance questions because of the way MI laws work. You cannot pursue the other driver for anything, including the mini-tort, because you are uninsured. You are completely barred from pursuing the other driver for anything. That means that the courts will dismiss any suit you file, and that the leasing company is going to be looking to you to pay for the car immediately.
You don’t have many options here, and your choice to drive uninsured has put you in a very bad spot.
Why are you leasing a car without insurance..? Actually, why are you even driving a car without insurance..? You should not be on the road.
You’ve made poor financial choices by not insuring a car you are required to insure. Being in Michigan, you have left yourself on your own to cover your damages. Your option now is to use the money you saved by not paying for insurance to repair your car.
Since this is Michigan…..you’re out of luck. You cannot go after the other driver for property damages b/c you were uninsured. No insurance, no mini tort, no small claims.