MI Supreme Court does a U-turn on injuries from vehicle accidents

[Bozita]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100802/NEWS06/100802062/1320/Court-sets-new-standard-in-injury-lawsuits

POSTED: 6:09 P.M. AUG. 2, 2010
Michigan court sets new standard in injury lawsuits
BY ED WHITE
ASSOCIATED PRESS


The Michigan Supreme Court has thrown out a 2004 decision and opened the door for more lawsuits by people seeking compensation after being injured in vehicle accidents.

The court, in a 4-3 decision, said conservative justices in the majority six years ago were too strict when they interpreted Michigan law about the impact of injuries on someone’s ability to lead a normal life.

“This is huge,” said lawyer Steven Gursten, whose specialty is auto cases. “The way Michigan law was changing, it was going to eliminate almost everyone who had been seriously injured in a car accident. That was not the intent of the Michigan Legislature.”

An insurance trade group criticized the decision and predicted higher rates for motorists.

-snip-

Gursten, however, said the ruling simply moves Michigan law back to where it was before the court’s 2004 decision.

“I have trouble shedding tears for insurance companies,” he said.

-snip-

more...

[angstlessk]

1. hell, now insurance costs more than a car paymen in some cases

If Michigan rates go higher it would probably cost the auto industry..in that people could not afford to drive!

[happyslug]

2. Here is the Opinion

http://coa.courts.mi.gov/DOCUMENTS/OPINIONS/FINAL/SCT/20100731_S136738_79_mccormick-op.pdf

[Land Shark]

3. Word is (was) lawyers not able to make a living under existing MI personal injury law

at least not many of them...

If you think of it, a "home run" lawsuit is only designed to make the victim "whole" placing them in the position they would have been in but for the negligence. Is there a reason to scale THAT back? Not really. Even under the best of conditions, there's no "profit" in lawsuits unless exchanging money for pain & suffering and loss of a normal life be considered "profit." Anyone who's actually had these kinds of pains and losses would gladly give the money back not to have the pain. Thus, this complaining in the OP is pure insurance company greed.