Michigan Car Crash Caused by Drunk Driver Dismissed

Larry Buckfire

Contributor

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The Michigan Auto No-Fault law is supposed to protect those who are seriously injured in car accidents and allows an injured person to seek monetary compensation for those injuries. Unfortunately, the activist courts in our state have intentionally misinterpreted the laws to protect insurance companies and believe it or not, even drunk drivers.

A perfect example of this is the case of Krysta Gagne of Oakland County, who suffered a concussion in that 2003 wreck when she was struck by a drunk driver . She required major knee surgery for an injury that has permanently affected her ability to work, walk and perform other functions of daily life. Incredibly, the courts in Michigan dismissed her case stating that she was not hurt seriously enough to recover damages from the drunk driver.

A coalition of trial attorneys, health care providers and advocates for the injured finally won House passage this month of a bill that seeks to clarify the rights of victims to sue under the no-fault law. The Republican Senate has an opportunity to strike a tempered compromise that even insurance lobbyists say won't drive up rates. Based upon their previous allegiance to insurance companies, this will be a tough battle and innocent people, like Krysta, are deprived of their rights.