Lewis v. Detroit Automobile Inter-Insurance Exchange

In this opinion we consider the question whether the "one year back” limit on recovery of no-fault insurance beneñts contained in MCL 500.3145(1); MSA 24.13145(1) should be tolled from the date a claimant makes a specific claim for benefits to the date the insurer formally denies liability, provided the claimant pursues the claim with reasonable diligence. We hold that such tolling best reflects the purposes of the no-fault statute.

I. FACTS LEWIS

On November 13, 1978, Jessie Lewis, a pedes*96trian, was struck by an automobile driven by Larry Perkins and insured by defendant Detroit Automobile…