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What to Do When Your U of M Student is Hurt in a Car Accident
January 28th, 2025
A child leaving home for college is a time to be proud. But, a student leaving the home can raise new concerns about what to do if your University of Michigan student is involved in a car accident.
If your U of M student was injured in a car accident, your first priority should be ensuring they receive the medical care and treatment they need. Many U of M students injured in car accidents seek treatment at the University of Michigan Medical Center or St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
Regardless of where your child receives initial medical treatment, be sure they follow up with scheduled doctor’s appointments. The road to recovery can be difficult, and your child needs to focus on the healing process. Whether they continue their medical treatment here in Michigan or return home, your family should focus on helping them get better and return to normal.
Once the initial shock of the car accident has passed and your child is on the road to recovery, the personal injury lawyers at Muth Law, P.C., can help your family by analyzing who was at fault and fighting for the financial compensation you deserve.
Contact our office today to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee, which means you won’t pay us a fee unless we recover money for you.
Seeking Medical Treatment After a Car Accident
After a car accident, a person’s body releases adrenaline and endorphins that create the fight-or-flight response. This chemical release creates higher energy levels that can mask the pain caused by injuries. As a result, in the moments after a car accident, many people do not realize they were seriously injured.
Encourage your child to seek medical care and treatment, even if they don’t think they are injured. University of Michigan Student Life recommends contacting University Health Service (UHS), which offers a variety of medical services in one building on central campus. Most services are covered by the health service fee, which students pay as part of tuition.
If your student needs emergency medical treatment, they can seek care on the U of M medical campus:
- Students 21 or older should seek medical care from the U of M Hospital Emergency Department at 1500 E. Medical Center Drive in Ann Arbor.
- Students under age 21 should go to the U of M’s Medicine Children’s Emergency Services at 1540 E. Hospital Drive in Ann Arbor.
Medical providers can examine your child to identify and treat any injuries they suffered and prescribe a treatment plan to minimize the long-term effect of their injuries and prevent them from worsening.
Liability and Insurance Coverage When College Students Are Involved in a Car Accident
Whenever someone is hurt in a car accident, the topic of insurance coverage and liability will eventually arise.
If you are a Michigan resident and your college student is listed on your automobile insurance policy, your no-fault insurance will cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, replacement services, and damage to other people’s property. If you are not a Michigan resident, you should seek reimbursement for medical expenses through your health insurance provider or automobile insurance carrier.
Under the Affordable Care Act, most children are covered under their parent’s health insurance until age 26 or until they have their own coverage. Health insurance would cover most medical expenses, other than deductibles and co-pays.
Are Parents Liable for a Child’s Car Accident?
Parents generally are not directly liable for a child’s negligence in operating a motor vehicle. Once a child reaches the legal age of majority (18 in most states), they are generally considered legally responsible for their own actions. However, a parent could be directly liable for a child’s negligence if they negligently entrusted a vehicle to a child they knew or should have known is an incompetent or reckless driver.
If a child is covered under their parent’s automobile insurance policy, the parent’s insurance company should provide insurance coverage for any covered losses. Insurance policies are unique in how they address the issue of a college student liability for causing a car accident. In general, a college student living away from home is still considered a “resident” of the family household. When assessing residency, courts and insurance companies will consider the student’s level of independence from the family. Factors to consider include:
- The student’s age
- The address listed on their driver’s license
- The frequency and duration of their return to the family home
- The self-sufficiency of the student
For example, an 18-year-old college freshman living in a dorm with most of their possessions at their parent’s home will likely be considered a “resident” of the family household and covered under the family insurance policy. As a child gets older and becomes more independent, coverage under the family insurance policy becomes less clear. A student who rents their own apartment and gives up their room is less likely to be covered as a “resident” of the family home.
Was Your U of M Student Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Muth Law Today.
If your U of M student was injured in a car accident, Muth Law can help. Call us at 734-481-8800 or contact us online today to schedule a confidential appointment to discuss your situation.
Categories: Auto Accidents