John Biernat served as a patrol officer with the Harper Woods Police Department in Harper Woods, Michigan, for more than 10 years. He was a recipient of the Public Safety Medal of Valor. After passing the bar, John Biernat joined Padilla Law Group as an associate attorney. He handles cases involving personal injury and auto negligence.
In Michigan, people who were injured in auto accidents have several options to claim compensation. Two of the most common compensation claims are no-fault insurance claims or personal injury protection (PIP) and bodily injury claims.
A person injured in an auto accident may claim no-fault insurance benefits regardless of who is at fault, as long as the car they are driving is insured at the time of the accident. Under the no-fault insurance claim, the injured person is entitled to wage loss payments of up to 85 percent of the lost wages during the period of disability for up to three years after the accident. They may also receive medical payment benefits of up to $250,000. Other benefits under the no-fault insurance include paying attendant care expenses such as bathing, dressing, and other personal needs and payment of household services such as cleaning and washing clothes for up to $20 per day.
Under the bodily injury claim, the injured person is entitled to payment for physical pain, disability, scars and disfigurement, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Some factors are considered in determining the amount of compensation under this type of claim, such as the seriousness of the injuries, the size and location of scar and disfigurement, the psychological trauma caused by accident, and the type and duration of medical treatment necessary to address the injury. There is no specific formula to compute the bodily injury claim compensation, so the help of a skilled lawyer that specializes in auto accident claims may be needed.
