Legal Question in Personal Injury in Michigan
My son rear ended a woman in Michigan. The police came-he was insured, was ticketed and at fault. Both parties not injured and no medical attention needed. Two years later, he gets summoned and is being sued. She now says she has every injury under the son. She wants $25,000 and jury trial. Does our insurance co. defend us??
1 Answer from Attorneys
Because he has insurance the answer is yes the insurance company will provide him a free lawyer, or actually a lawyer that they pay. That lawyer represents your son. The insurance company will pay any settlement, verdict or judgment against your son up to the amount of bodily injury coverage he purchased. For example if he has a 20/40 policy, the insurance company will pay this individual up to $20,000 (the coverage amount) for the settlement (or verdict/judgment).
The $25,000 that is listed in the complaint is what any attorney must state in their pleading to meet the jurisdictional requirements of the circuit court. So, don't worry about it it's just something lawyer has to do when filing a lawsuit in court.
The vast majority of cases like this settle without a trial and are settled within policy limits without any exposure to the insured (your son)