Detroit Mayor's no-fault insurance lawsuit against Michigan asked to be thrown out

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has hit two major roadblocks in his hopes to sue the state of Michigan over its no-fault insurance: the state Attorney General and accident victims.

Duggan announced his lawsuit in August, saying that the state's mandatory no-fault insurance system violates the constitutional rights of Michigan drivers, based on insurance costs. But Attorney General Bill Schuette and victims of crashes say this lawsuit should be dismissed.

Bloomfield Hills attorney Arthur Liss says if no-fault auto insurance is deemed unconstitutional, his clients will suffer.

"These people just want to preserve their ability to live at home with their families and not be forced into an institution," Liss said.

The mayor has long been a proponent of insurance reform in Detroit, where many go uninsured, and even announced his own proposal last year to combat the high insurance rates. The proposal was defeated. 

In August, he filed the suit and and said it has failed Michigan residents.

"The No-Fault Act has failed Michigan residents at every turn. This lawsuit seeks a declaration that the law is unconstitutional," the suit states.

In response, Liss filed a suit to intervene. Then Schuette had something to say, too, asking the case to be dismissed altogether. 

Liss maintains the no-fault insurance is important for a number of reasons

"This protects all of the drivers involved in accidents, regardless of fault. It will protect them so they won't have to rely on governmental benefits to have their medical expenses taken care of their injuries," he said.

The City of Detroit is confident in its case.

Liss just wants to make sure his clients and other car crash victims receive the compensation they deserve.